WINTER 2024
Milestones and the road ahead In 2023, Select Sires continued its impressive track record in genetic milestones, boasting four of the topten and nine of the top-30 registration sires according to the American Angus Association for the 2022-2023 year. Leading the pack was 7ANO528 GROWTH FUND, followed by 7AN580 HOME TOWN, 14AN502 TAHOE, and 7AN466 RAINFALL at 2nd, 5th, and 9th positions, respectively. In the Red Angus breed, Select Sires claimed two of the top-five spots, with 7AR86 STOCKMARKET topping the list and 7AR87 FRANCHISE ranking fourth. While it’s exciting to report our latest dominance in registrations, it’s equally important to celebrate the stayability of Select Sires genetics throughout the years. This fall CentralStar beef specialists
participated in the Select Sires national beef tour in Bozeman, Montana where they collaborated with beef specialists from across the country, observed large groups of Select Sires progeny, and visited seedstock herds where Select Sires sources bulls. Trevor Yager, CentralStar Beef Specialist, emphasized the importance of seeing first-hand daughters in production and understanding pedigree-stacks that have stood the test of time, enhancing the CentralStar team’s knowledge to better assist beef producers. At the event, retired CentralStar Beef Specialist Greg Beavers was recognized for his 43 years of service. Greg’s dedication to helping producers succeed and his willingness to lend a hand are well-known throughout the country. The road ahead With calving season upon us and breeding season close behind, it’s time to be proactive and make a plan to ensure success in both areas. Reach out to your local CentralStar team or Beef Specialist to collaborate on how to get the most out of your programs through genetic selection, breeding projects, A.I. training, and improving calf and cow health.
Brian House, Select Sires Vice President, Beef Production Manager, retired CentralStar Beef Specialist Greg Beavers, Ryan Bodenhausen Select Sires AVP, Aquisition and Marketing
Make sure to secure your copy of the 2024 Spring Beef Directory. If you haven’t received one yet, ask your CentralStar team.
Meet the CentralStar Beef Team! Scott Ellevold Scott is a CentralStar Area Sales Manager. He operates a registered Simmental and Angus cow-calf operation and is a board member for the St. Croix Valley Bull Test. 715.781.5635 scott.ellevold@mycentralstar.com Trevor Yager Trevor is CentralStar’s Recruiting and Training Manager. He owns a registered Angus cowcalf herd and serves on the Wisconsin Cattlemen’s Association board of directors. 608.574.6142 trevor.yager@mycentralstar.com
Adam Wood Adam has been a Reproductive Specialist for more than 30 years. He operates a Simmental cow-calf herd and farms 500 acres.
989.763.6600 adam.wood@mycentralstar.com
STAFF PICKS
We are committed to delivering genetics that provide industry-leading conception rate sires that offer calving ease and carcass, while keeping your cow in mind. Check out our beef team’s “favorite picks” from our extensive lineup of Select Sires and Accelerated Genetics sires. Learn more at www.selectsiresbeef.com or by calling a Beef Specialist.
7AN691 STEP UP
7AN743 CRAFTSMAN
7AN737 STATESMAN
7AN794 GETTYSBURG
7AN768 RISE ABOVE
STEP UP sires stout, high performing cattle with eye appeal. A foot improver with 69 records on file. He has sired numerous “sale toppers” all over the country.
CRAFTSMAN’S first progeny have been the highlight of many 2023 sales. Top 1% $M, $C and he will add performance and marketability to your matings.
STATESMAN complements GROWTH FUND, HOME TOWN, TAHOE, and RAINFALL females. He adds stature and length of body and is a breed-leader for Heifer Pregnancy, Marbling, PAP, and foot scores. NEW exciting sire, GETTYSBURG possesses power with a smooth pattern. He’ll add growth and carcass merit, while transmitting high phenotype.
The most talked about sire in the spring 2023 sale season. RISE ABOVE has an exceptional EPD profile for YW, HP, $M, $W, and $C. His dam is a full sister to Hoffman Thedford.
Add heterosis to your breeding program with ALL AMERICAN. He’s in the Top 1% for RE, Marb, and FPI; the Top 3% for YW and the Top 5% WW.
7GV10 ALL AMERICAN
7SM104 BROAD RANGE
7SM113 HIGHLIFE
BROAD RANGE is a high reliability “go to” sire for calving ease and combined performance. He’s a breed leader for REA and is a Top 25 Registration sire for 2023.
HIGHLIFE transmits muscle and performance to his progeny. He has tremendous muscle and walks on sound feet and legs. He’s a Top 25 Registration sire for 2023.
GOLD RUSH is dark pigmented with high carcass merit. Great on calving ease and high growth projections. Available in sexed-semen.
7HP125 GOLD RUSH
7AR100 JUMP START
A must-use sire, commanding a record setting $185,000. Combines elite data with exceptional phenotype. He’s loaded with power, muscle shape and ranks among the best for CE.
Preventing calf care challenges Calving season is here, as is the wild weather of winter, which means lessthan-ideal situations when Adam Wood, Beef Specialist calves hit the ground. During inclement weather, calves need an added boost to help get them off to a good start to ensure they are profitable replacements or feeders for you. Running a small cow-calf operation, CentralStar Beef Specialist Adam Wood shares first-hand experience on how he gives calves the best possible start. “Calving in the middle of winter, calves can get off to a slow start, so we initiated a protocol that includes Tri-Start Jr+ paste, First Day Formula Colostrum Supplement
and a Woolover calf coat,” shared Adam. “I knew we needed more immunity for the calves from the get-go, because our environments aren’t always controllable or ideal. These calves need to be ready for adverse conditions and giving Tri-Start to every calf at birth gives them the best start for a healthy life, reducing the chance of having to treat them and the labor it takes to do it.”
Starting this practice about eight years ago, Adam shared, “I don’t have extra time to catch calves and treat them. While I’ve been doing this protocol for a while, my success increased when I started using these specific products. Being more proactive has resulted in fewer health problems and in fact my antibiotics usually expire from lack of use.”
When calves are showing a slow start or the weather is particularly dicey, Adam uses a First Day Formula Colostrum Supplement and puts a calf coat on them. “If a calf isn’t up and nursing within 20 minutes, we’ll do this,” said Adam. “Out of 30 calves, we probably assist six this way. It is a little more cost, but it really sets them up for success.”
Add value with low carbon beef As part of its launch, LCT acquired Low Carbon Beef, LLC (LCB). This cattle certification company enables beef producers to add value to cattle that are raised with less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. LCB is an approved USDA Process Verified Program service provider. Their offered certification program is based on net total GHG emissions.
In January 2023, Select Sires Inc. announced the creation of Low Carbon Technologies, LLC, (LCT) as part of its farmer-owned cooperative. LCT will serve beef and dairy farmers who are looking to document, verify and improve their operation’s carbon footprint and overall sustainability.
Feed, fertilizer, fuel, and function are the four categories for which producers who enter the LCB program are evaluated. Each category is reviewed for its level of contribution to GHG emissions. Producers can learn how their operation compares to others and identify where they can make improvements. The formation of a premium marketplace may emerge from the sustainability efforts developed through this partnership.
Recently, LCT was selected from hundreds of applicants for a USDA Climate-Smart grant to execute a fully integrated lifecycle approach to reduce GHG emissions from beef cattle at a commercial scale. Applications are now being accepted from cattle producers to participate and receive substantial incentives. Cow-calf producers with at least 50 cows can apply, including those who sell weaned calves or if they retain ownership through finishing. Visit www.lowcarbonranch. com or scan the QR code to learn more about this new enterprise at Select Sires, Inc.
CALVING SEASON
CALF ESSENTIALS birth First Day Formula Colostrum Supplement
The best mixing product on the market. Made of high quality whey protein concentrate fortified with essential vitamins and chelated trace minerals. Available as a complete replacer or supplement.
Calf Coat
Made of 70% wool and 30% polyester, Woolover wicks moisture away, while keeping calf warm and dry. Two sizes: medium fits 99-121lb, and large 121+lb. On Sale: $24 each.
Ear Tags
A complete line of visual and RFID ear tags, as well as taggers are available online at www.mycentralstar.com/shop.
birth • transport health challenges CONVERT™
Assists in the reduction of scourcausing organisms by altering their growth environment. Antibiotic-free. Use at birth or when calves are lethargic, not eating or doing poorly. Single- and multi-dose tubes. Save 10%. Ends 2/29/24.
health challenges AccelAIRate
Alleviates symptoms and supports recovery from respiratory distress. Reduces throat irritation, suppresses coughing, and stimulates appetite.
Accel RS
CONVERT Calving Season Bolus
Designed for beef calves, both newborns and those facing environmental challenges. 10-count pack.
Tri-Start Jr+
Helps stimulate feed intake during periods of change and challenge. Provides immune development support with Vitamin B, C, E and Selenium Yeast. Promotes gut health, reduces the occurrence of scours. Singleand multi-dose tubes.
A recovery solution that aids in hydration and digestive health. Works to restore, re-energize, recolonize and rehydrate calves.
Tri-Purify and Tri-Start Jr
If you run into a severe case of scours, use this one-two punch. Tri-Purify is a highly concentrated oreganobased bolus that is formulated to flush out the lower GI tract. Follow-up with Tri-Start Jr to repopulate the gut with good bacteria essential for health.
Talk to your CentralStar team or shop www.mycentralstar.com/shop for the complete lineup of herd management solutions for cows and calves this calving season.
www.agrariansolutions.com
Day-One Calf Gel
A Trail of Success Something we’ve come to rely on.
Kyle Mayberry
“We have been using CONVERT Calf Gel for the past four years on calves, lambs and stressed animals and love the product! Its ability to get microbiomes started right and promote animal health is something we’ve come to rely on as we strive to keep our herds and flocks healthy. We also use CONVERT frequently in times of stress and illness, to give solid supportive care to our livestock.” BILTMORE LIVESTOCK • ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
CONVERT is very essential.
Jacob Moore
We give every calf born on our farm a tube of CONVERT after we have made sure it has gotten colostrum. We want every calf to have the best start to life it can get. So that is why we let nature do its part, then give CONVERT after that. Since our Select Sires rep, told us about this product three years ago, we have seen better overall health and they perform better from day one until day 205. CONVERT is very essential to our calving program. It’s the first thing we grab when a new calf arrives.” FOUR MOORE FARMS • ROGERSVILLE, TENNESSEE
The healthiest set of calves I’ve ever had.
Tim Adams
“In 2023 I made the commitment to give CONVERT to every single calf, and this year’s calf crops has been the healthiest I’ve ever had. Vaccinating and including DTX in the mineral, along with giving CONVERT to every calf has made a tremendous difference. We didn’t treat a single calf for respiratory or scours this year!”
REDUCED SCOURS INCREASED APPETITES INCREASED GROWTH RATES REDUCED MORTALITY
TA RANCH • WAKEFIELD, KANSAS
Ask your CentralStar team about CONVERT or order online at www.mycentralstar.com/shop.