February 2024 - Missouri Beef Cattleman

DEPARTMENTS

2306 Bluff Creek Drive, #100, Columbia, MO 65201 Phone: 573-499-9162 • Fax: 573-499-9167

Andy Atzenweiler: Editor/Production/Ad Sales P.O. Box 480977 • Kansas City, Missouri 64148 816-210-7713 • E-mail: mobeef@sbcglobal.net

Missouri Cattlemen’s Association

MCA Website: www.mocattle.com

Mike Deering, Executive Vice President - Ext 230 Mike@mocattle.com

Courtney Collins, Manager of Membership– Ext 231 Courtney@mocattle.com

Aly Francis, Manager of Strategic Solutions – Ext 235 Aly@mocattle.com

Lisa Stockhorst, Administrative Assistant – Ext 234 Lisa@mocattle.com

Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation

www.mocattlemenfoundation.org

Missouri’s CattleWomen

http://mocattle.com/missouricattlewomen.aspx

2024 MCA Officers

Chuck Miller, President

573-881-3589 • 393 Spring Garden Road, Olean, MO 65064

Jeff Reed, President-Elect

903-279-8360 • P.O. Box 35, Williamsville, MO 63967

Anita Vanderwert, Vice President

573-808-3000 • 4902 Conchero Ct., Columbia, MO 65203

Marvin Dieckman, Treasurer

660-596-4163 • 28998 Hwy JJ, Cole Camp, MO 65325

Charlie Besher, Secretary

573-866-2846 • RR 5, Box 2402, Patton, MO 63662

2024 MC A Regional Vice Presidents

Region 1: Ethan McNeill, 325 McMurry St. Paris, MO 65275 636-544-9943

Region 2: Vacant,

Region 3: Blake Crow, 1910 W. Broadway St., West Plains, MO 65775 • 417-293-9525

Region 4: Deb Thummel, 12601 Hwy. 46

Sheridan, MO 64486 • 660-541-2606

Region 5: Alex Haun, 1031 SW 600 Rd Holden, MO 64040 • 816-345-0005

Region 6: Warren Love, 8381 NE Hwy ZZ

Osceola, MO 64776 • 417-830-1950

Region 7: Josh Worthington, 401 N. Dade 231 Dadeville, MO 65635 • 417-844-2601

County Leadership Conference

Missouri Cattlemen’s Leadership College participants and affiliate leadership will gather in Columbia for the 2024 County Leadership Conference. Attendees will dive deeper into the relationship the association has with its affiliates, undergo media training, and learn how to efficiently run a meeting. The second day of the conference is spent in Jefferson City where attendees will have the opportunity to visit with legislators about MCA policy priorities. This year’s event will be held March 5-7. See the registration form on PAGE 20.

FFA Fantasy Feedout

FFA Fantasy Feedout Draft Day will occur on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, with the program beginning at 10 a.m. and lunch to follow. The program will take place at Trowbridge Livestock Center Sale Arena in Columbia, Mo. If you or your chapter would like to participate in the 2023-2024 FFA Fantasy Feedout, please visit mocattle.com for more info or see PAGE 54.

Cowboys at the Capitol

The 2024 legislative session is off to a great start with Cowboys at the Capitol meeting in Jefferson City every Wednesday. We are proud of the grassroots efforts reinforced through this weekly activity and see the role it plays in developing relationships with legislators. To find the weekly schedule for Cowboys at the Capitol and when your region or group will be attending, please see PAGE 88.

Show-Me-Select Heifer Replacement Program

We are partnering with Show-Me-Select again this year for an exclusive new member promotion drawing. All new Missouri Cattlemen’s Association member will be entered to win in a drawing for a $1,500 credit to a Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer sale. To be considered a new member, you must not have been an MCA member within the last 12 months. Credit must be redeemed in the same calendar year at any of the spring or fall sales. Learn more on PAGE 78.

Profitability Challenge Open House

Profitability challenge open house will be held in conjunction with the March 28, 2024, Board of Directors meeting. The meeting will be held at MU South Farm at 10 a.m. Steers competing in the profitability challenge will be on display for producers to view at the farm and lunch will be provided. Learn more about the profitability challenge by visiting mocattle.com.

Darwin Beltz, Beltz Ranch, Elk Creek, MO

Brooklyn Benson, Belleville, IL

John Best, Bolivar, MO

Brooklyn Binder, Binder AgVenture, Craig, MO

Sullivan Bird, Gallatin, MO

James Blackwelder, Cabool, MO

James Brown, Brown Bros. Land & Cattle, L akeside, TX

Kayden Burns, Dexter, MO

William Campbell, Campbell Farms LLC, California, MO

Noah Carr, Carthage, MO

Roger Clawson, West Plains, MO

Macie Doss, West Plains, MO

John Duda, Udders Galore LLC, St. Louis, MO

Mark & Brenda Freeman, Cabool, MO

Cressa Gordley, Wright City, MO

Roger Guilliams, Guilliams Farms, Whitewater, MO

Brayden Henderson, Edwards, MO

Shelton Hester, SBH Cattle Co., Millersville, MO

Kailee Hickman, Koshkonong, MO

Kolton Hickman, Koshkonong, MO

Mackenzie Hill, Bernie, MO

Alexandra Hoke, Odessa, MO

Cheryl Hollon, H4 Land & Cattle LLC, Kearney, MO

Carter Huston, South West City, MO

DeAnna Joplin, Lowndes, MO

Clara Keim, Hannibal, MO

Andi & Curtis Kloppe, New Haven, MO

Bryan Luark, Luark Properties LLC, Gainesville, MO

Alil Machouseiar, Cape Girardeau, MO

Darrell Mahan, Pottersville, MO

Grace Manning, Bellevue, OH

Michael Meyer, Palmyra, MO

Oliver Midyett, Salem, MO

Arron Molburg, Elsberry, MO

Hannah Pendleton, Park Hills, MO

Casey Petty, Harvest Gypsy Farm LLC, St. James, MO

Grant Powell, Powell Genetics, Palmyra, MO

Dylan Ratcliff, Ratcliff Farms, California, MO

Matthew Rossignol, JRC Springs Farm, Falcon, MO

Cole Rucker, Squaw Hill Valley Farms, Lonedell, MO

Casey Rutherford, Cole Camp, MO

Ellie Samek, Bolivar, MO

Garrett Samek, Bolivar, MO

Ava Schneider, Warrenton, MO

Brady Schneider, Warrenton, MO

Madison Schneider, Waterloo, IL

Deb Seabaugh, Patton, MO

Cathy Simpson, Salem, MO

Matt Stephan, Montrose, MO

Aaron Trudo, Trudo Cattle Ranch & Farm, St. Charles, MO

Dana Wiencek, Double H Ranch, Lees Summit, MO

Lori Witt, Pierce City, MO

Bella Woolsey, Summersville, MO

See the MCA Membership Form on page 93

President’s Perspective

with Chuck Miller

Don’t Sell Your Saddle

This month’s article contains a poem by Baxter Black, a delightful man I met for the first time several years ago in the hallway during that year’s Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show at Tan-Tar-A in Osage Beach, Missouri. We had several minutes to visit and I left that meeting with a larger respect for him than I’d ever had before. You see, he wasn’t just a cowboy poet but a philosopher whose skin was leather tanned. His writings were not only funny, but extremely thought provoking and powerful.

His poem entitled “Don’t Sell Your Saddle” is printed at the end of this article. Please don’t just read the poem but savor the words and think about what he is trying to get folks to understand. Too often we just ingest words or phrases painstakingly put together by the writer and leave out the important part -- the lesson.

Missouri Cattlemen’s Association Convention Committee just completed a wildly successful annual convention with new and seasoned members in attendance. In reality, it is our yearly cowboy/cowgirl reunion where we set the stage for the upcoming year. Our dreams and efforts in our association begin to form and the process of making those dreams reality begins in earnest. We always pick up some new members and reunite with longtime members. We motivate, educate and inform those who attend. We direct or redirect the priorities of our organization for the following year. Please remember, the more unified and informed members we have, the stronger our voice as an association.

In addition, we have begun our extremely successful Cowboys at the Capitol campaign for the 2024

MCA President

legislative session. This weekly event at the Missouri State Capitol is perhaps the most important effort we make all year. This is a time when we can actually sit face to face with our elected officials and truly discuss the potential rules and regulations impacting our producers. We can form friendships and alliances with the folks at the capitol who are very helpful in furthering our stances on the important issues within our industry. Find the full Cowboys at the Capitol schedule inside this issue on page ??.

Furthermore, our affiliates across the state are holding banquets and scholarship dinners to assist the next generation with the costs of their ongoing education. This investment in the next generation is a powerful tool to utilize in terms of new member recruitment. Don’t miss the opportunity to build your affiliate rosters with younger members who want to be engaged in our industry at all levels and are searching for opportunities to do so.

Early next month in March, your association will offer an opportunity to send your affiliate membership to the annual MCA Affiliate Leadership Conference. This two day event is a great chance to pick up some tried-andtrue leadership tips from not only MCA staff, but from fellow participants at the conference. The critical part of any event such as this are the longstanding relationships that are built among the attendees and your association staff. I strongly encourage your affiliate to send folks to attend the MCA Affiliate Leadership Conference.

Membership drives our organization, an organization that began many years ago with a dream of bringing cattle producers together in an organization that was truly bigger than them. Those early organizers and longstanding members had a dream about our industry; a dream that they could truly bring about engagement in activities, events and issues that affected the cattle industry. As Baxter Black so thoughtfully wrote:

Don’t give up on dreams.

Take time to see ‘em through.

There is no magic recipe, hard work makes ‘em come true.

Even when you’re struggling, your friends will stick like glue.

Don’t ever sell your saddle, your dreams won’t give up on you.

Cowboys at the Capitol on Wednesdays

See Schedule on Page 88

Straight Talk

with Mike Deering

The Gathering

The convention has come and gone.

We had an outstanding crowd of cattle producers who attended the 56th annual convention. Each one had different reasons for attending, but they all believe in standing together as one MCA to chart the course of this association. From policy development to junior programs, it was refreshing to see everyone come together to take this association into another year.

A highlight of the first convention in 1968 was the auction of the first membership in the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association. The gold-plated membership card went to Dave Daniel of the Livestock Marketing Association for $1,050. The association and convention have come along way since that first gathering in Kansas City. They were focused on realignment of the organization, and we were focused on strengthening the organization they started.

From setting policy priorities to electing new leadership, the members called the shots. I just work here and get the honor of advocating for you and when necessary, fighting like a cornered cat on your behalf.

It always fascinates me to watch the policy and resolutions session play out at our convention. Hearing different perspectives when establishing this association’s policy is awakening and encouraging. It is as grassroots as it gets. For the 2024 legislative session, members decided to focus our efforts on strengthening private property rights through eminent domain reform and

Executive Vice President

better defining waters of the state to mirror the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that scaled back the WOTUS (Waters of the United States) rule. The association will also continue strengthening legislation that will assist beginning farmers.

From honoring youth to recognizing members’ outstanding contributions to electing leaders of this association, the annual gathering is all about people. When it comes to association management, I am not in the cattle business; I am in the people business. It is our people who make it a priority to pay their dues and volunteer their time that keep the wheels turning.

It is so important we look around us and realize that each of us are valuable to growing this association and to advancing this industry. No matter if you stayed home during the convention breaking ice in water tanks or you were on the center stage, you are the reason this association in its 113th year. I look forward to working for 2024 President Chuck Miller and his leadership team to continue moving this association in the right direction in order to advance this industry.

Regional Range Report

by Anita Vanderwert, MCA Vice President

Membership Matters

Nothing happens if we don’t have members. Bitter cold and frozen waterers can’t keep cattlemen from their annual convention. The attendance at our convention last month proves our membership believes in our mission to make sure our industry thrives moving forward. We broke a record for the most new memberships sold during the convention. What a great way to start the year!

It’s time to share your passion. If you are receiving this magazine, you are already a member. Now it’s time to ask a neighbor to join. Read this issue and give it to a neighboring cattleman or drop it off at your local bank, ag retailer, local vet, USDA, or doctor’s office. Point out the membership form in the magazine if they want to start receiving their own copy.

Challenges to our industry continue to grow. To have the clout we need to be effective and we need to prove we have strong membership support. We need your help. The next time you are at a meeting or banquet ask those sitting around you if they are a member. If you can stand up and make a pitch for them to become members is even better. We have many upcoming banquets and spring meetings across the state. Let’s use these gatherings to increase membership. If they are there, they have an interest. They are a qualified audience.

Membership starts at $70. You have an option for a 3-year membership for $200 or a lifetime membership for your farm for $1500. A personalized, large metal sign is given to every lifetime member. It proves your commitment to MCA and promotes MCA every time someone drives by your farm or ranch. Contact the office if you would like a stack of membership applications mailed to you or you can go online and have your friends fill out the form at mocattle.org.

Every year we honor those who bring in members. This year Ron Rogers from Newton/McDonald county won Top Hand Recruiter. He received a choice of either NCBA convention registration and a $200 travel voucher or $1,000 cash. He walked away with $1,000 and a lot of public accolades. We salute Ron Rogers.

You can look in this issue to see all the numerous awards you can win when you recruit new members. I hope we announce your name next year.

New members also may win as they have a chance to win a $1500 credit at a Show-Me Select Sale.

Hopefully, winter is winding down and we can start to dream about green pastures. If you need to get away from it for a day, please join us at the Capitol. We will be there every Wednesday through April. Every region is assigned a Wednesday, but don’t let that stop you. We want you to come any and every week you can. Call your Regional VP or the office to let them know you are willing to help. I’m looking forward to seeing you this spring at the Capitol or at one of the numerous spring banquets and meetings. Don’t hesitate to email me at AnitaVanderwert@gmail.com or give me a call at 573808-3000 if you have membership ideas or questions.

Region 1 VP - Ethan McNeill

Region 2 VP - Vacant

Region 3 VP - Blake Crow

Region 5 VP - Alex Haun

Region 6 VP - Warren Love

Region 7 VP - Josh Worthington

Region 4 VP - Deb Thummel At-Large Rep. - Vacant

What’s Cookin’ at the

Missouri Beef House

By the MCA Beef House Committee

We Have a Winner!

Our winning bidder at the 56th Annual Missouri Cattle Industry Convention Live Auction at Margaritaville Lake Resort held January 19-20, 2024, was Jack & Dawn Harrison of Callaway Livestock Center in Kingdom City, Missouri, for the Custom Metal Art Sign at the MCA Beef House Patio Entrance. Thanks to the generosity and sponsorship of LAG Industries, the Beef House Patio Entrance will continue to have new Custom Metal Art Signs on display on a yearly basis. “Since we share a common vision and a continuing commitment to work together for the good of agriculture, we appreciate the opportunity to partner with the Cattlemen.”

The Brackman’s of LAG Industries in La Monte, Missouri, have partnered with the Beef House to bring a unique opportunity to the highest bidder the chance to put your name or business on a 9” x 48” metal sign. Guidelines include the Custom Metal Art Signs will be on display for a year and will become the buyer’s possession at the end of the year, buyer cannot be a competitor of the MCA Beef House or LAG Industries, and design details will be worked out by the buyer in cooperation with LAG Industries and the Beef House.

We auction the patio entrance/north-side sign at each convention with the proceeds to benefit Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation whose mission is to promote the educational development of rural youth by aiding injured children, providing farm safety training, leadership programs, and scholarships. Thank you Harrison family for your bid and support at Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation auction!

We will auction the Beef House patio entrance/southside sign opportunity at the MCA Past-President’s Steak Fry and PAC Auction held in June. The proceeds will benefit the MCA’s Political Action Committee whose purpose is to be involved in the political process by supporting those elected officials who support the beef

industry as well as those issues that directly impact the nature of the beef business. So mark your calendar now for June 8, 2024, and be ready to make a bid on this unique opportunity for a Custom Metal Art Sign with your name or business to be displayed from June 2024 to June 2025 at the MCA Beef House Patio Entrance and then take it home to display on your farm or business!

Did you know that LAG Industries also designed and makes the MCA Lifetime Members Custom Metal Art Signs? A BIG THANKS to Bart & Brenda Brackman, Brad & Nicole Brackman & family and employees for time, energy, talents, and partnership! If you want to know more about LAG Industries, go to lagind.com, LAG Industries on Facebook, or call (660) 347-5413.

Thought for the Month: “Roses are red, Violets are blue; The steaks on the grill, waiting for you!”

Gelbvieh: The Maternal Breed of Choice

By Megan Underwood, M.S.

“They milk good, they’re docile, gentle and they dang sure wean bigger calves than some of the other breeds out there,” said Lee Marriott, Rocking M Ranch, Stover, Missouri.

Docility is one of the most appreciated Gelbvieh traits among commercial cattle producers who value cattle that will breed back and produce a calf year after year. Gelbvieh cattle exhibit the strong maternal strengths of added fertility and quiet temperament.

The added fertility of the Gelbvieh cow and her productivity made Gale Rippey, Gale Rippey Farms of Galax, Virginia, a believer in the breed. He sees a 9598% conception rate on his virgin heifers but credits the most phenomenal aspect as their breed back rate that next year. They see a 98-99% pregnancy rate on their first calf heifers.

“Through time, first-calf heifers are the hardest thing there is to get bred back and these cattle will perform. If you get them bred back the first time, they’re going to breed back and stay in the herd,” Rippey said.

The Marriotts looked at other breeds over the years, but they always came back to Gelbveh and Balancer® genetics. They love the way the cattle act and grow and the well-rounded set of traits the breed has to offer. The Gelbvieh and Balancer cows give them the complete animal they’re looking for in their operation.

“We’re really interested in our cows being good mothers, staying in the herd for a long time, and breeding back,” explained Stacey Marriott. “What we have really focused on is the maternal side of our cow herd.”

Rippey puts a tremendous emphasis on the disposition of his herd. The cattle need to be able to be handled and moved without having people get hurt or any fencing issues. Gelbvieh cattle are easy to handle and keep themselves and everyone involved safe. Their quiet temperament and docility make safe cattle handling and care an easy task to achieve.

“What makes this breed shine is not when times are good, it’s when times are hard. Across the five breeds, we work with, there is no question in my mind that a Gelbvieh cow can be a full body condition score less than her other breed contemporaries and still breed at the top of the pack,” explained Bill Tucker, Tucker Family Farms, Amherst, Virginia. “Their innate ability to turn what resources they have into fertility, it’s just the way their bodies work that sets them apart from the other breeds we’ve worked with.”

When choosing quality females, producers value cattle that stay in the herd for a long time and raise a calf each year regardless of climate. These producers recognize that Gelbvieh and Balancer females excel in both longevity and the ability to adapt to different environments.

“The most overlooked trait, in my opinion, in the commercial beef industry is that the Gelbvieh cattle in our database blow away other breeds in longevity. It doesn’t matter if you’re buying a car or putting together the factory, we call the cows, if you can monetarize that out over 14 to 15 years instead of eight years, look at her return on investment,” explained Tucker. “Gelbvieh cattle are solid, they’re the oldest cows in our herds no matter how we use them in any composite. They’re there because they hang in there and do their job right.”

The Powles continue to choose Gelbvieh because they are a strong maternal breed, and they want to make their own cows. They don’t want to go out and buy their cow herd, they want to produce their cow herd, they want to produce their own along with producing a steer calf that is comparable in the marketplace.

Gelbvieh has done this repeatedly and is a great fit for their environment. Located in the Sandhills region of Nebraska, it’s basically a desert with about 14-16 inches of annual rainfall. They must be careful in management decisions, so they don’t overgraze their environment.

“Maternal ability is important to us because, in a Sandhills operation, the cows have to fend for themselves a lot of times and take care of that calf in some pretty unique conditions. We supplement them and feed them in the wintertime, but on the maternal side, they’ve got to be a good mother who’s going to look out for their calf in all kinds of conditions in the Sandhills region,” explained Bryon Powles, Powles Ranch, Bingham, Nebraska.

Rippey credits the feed conversion of the Balancer female to her efficiency as she can take forage and turn it into pounds. However, when the environment isn’t prosperous in forage production, the Balancer female is still going to breed back and wean that heavy calf. These females are going to stay in the herd longer and continue to influence the genetics of the operation. Additionally,

her calf excels in feed efficiency to have a heavy carcass weight, grade well on the rail, and do so at a young age.

“Our customer base understands moderation in the cow herd and functional traits. They understand you can have a 1200-pound cow with a 600-pound calf. We’re not making huge cows, we’re making functional cows,” Tucker explained.

Maternal efficiency is an important trait in any cow-calf operation and is one the Gelbvieh female excels in. With a more moderate mature cow size, Gelbvieh females consume less while weaning heavier calves. Gelbvieh and Balancer maternal influence in a crossbreeding system offers more pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed. Heavier weaning weights combined with feed bunk efficiency and heavier, faster-gaining feeder cattle can increase profitability.

“The Gelbvieh cattle have been a true asset to our operation through the ability to utilize their genetics to set up a niche market with opportunities to meet new people and to help the beef industry,” said Rippey.

Gelbvieh and Balancer females offer maternal superiority and moderation mature weights, quiet dispositions, added fertility, and greater longevity; truly, making them the maternal breed of choice.

12-18 Month Old Purebred Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls

• Progeny Out of Several Top AI Sires

• All Bulls Semen & Trich Tested

• EPDs & Ultrasound Data

• Blacks & Reds

• Several DNA tested Homozygous Black/Homozygous Polled

• Low Birth Weights/High Growth/ Packed with Meat & Muscle

Select Group of Open Purebred Gelbvieh & Balancer Heifers

• All Heifers will be Pelvic Measured & Reproductive Scored

Bred Heifers & Cow/Calf Pairs

2023 Cattlemen’s Congress National Champion Gelbvieh Bull HTFG HILLTOPS HAWKEYE H064 (Reg# AMGV1489488)

Selling Tremendous Set of Open Heifers Like These

Over the Fence with Alan Glor

Source: Sydney Wellsandt

Alan and Janet Glor, along with assistance from their adult children and grandchildren, operate Glor Farms in Bolivar, Missouri.

The cattle business wasn’t always where Alan saw himself ending up. He went to school in Bolivar, Missouri, and spent the weekends with his dad on a small ranch in Urbana, Missouri, just a few miles from where he is located now. Alan pursued a degree in agriculture business at Missouri State University. While at Missouri State he also met the love of his life, Janet. They were married in 1983. After graduation, Alan served six years as an Army office. During that time, he was in Desert Shield and Desert Storm with the 101 Airborne Division and spent time in Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Upon returning home, he became a financial advisor. His whole family had been in the farming business, and initially, he thought he didn’t want anything to do with it. He knew the risks and expenses were high and the margins were low.

When asked what was one lesson, he brought home from serving in the Army, Alan responded that his experience taught him to dig deep. In life, there are a lot of prospectors but not as many minors. He talked about how it’s crucial to dig deep in ourselves, pursue our dreams, and look to God for answers and guidance along the way.

Alan believes it was a calling from God to help feed the world that led him back to where he started and to where he is today. Land had become available in the area, and he felt that the opportunity pursued him and his family, and soon after, everything fell into place.

What does your operation look like today?

I am still a financial advisor during the day. My wife, Janet, helps on the farm daily, and our children help us with large projects. We have five different farms, where we run about 200 head of Balancer® cows. We take the calves to weaning, wean them for 60 days, and then sell them through Superior Livestock Auction and the American Gelbvieh Association’s (AGA) Feeder Finder program. Both programs have worked very well for us.

What made you start using Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics, and what benefits have you seen?

Growing up, we had various breeds through the years. When I started looking for cows, a buddy of mine said they were selling third period Gelbvieh heifers at the Humansville sale barn and at the time, I didn’t even know what they were. I went up to the sale, looked at

them, read about them, and fell in love with them right then and that’s been almost 25 years ago.

We started with some good Gelbvieh heifers out of Judd Ranch Inc. bulls, and we never looked back. Since then, we have made those Gelbvieh into Balancers. We like Balancers a lot since they seem to stay in the herd longer, feed out very well, and have good growth.

When it comes to Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics, the bottom line is growth. We weaned a lot of steers this year and in the first 30 days had several gain 75-100 pounds, which to me is phenomenal. However, it is not only the growth, as they are great mothers, and most have great docility which makes them easy to work around. Between the maternal benefits and the growth, it’s what keeps us here.

What are your goals moving forward for your family and operation?

As I tell my wife every day, I would like to keep doing this for the next 20 years. Retirement means a lot of things to a lot of different people, but for me, it means being active and having a purpose. I feel like feeding the world is a pretty good purpose. My kids help around the farm, but I don’t know if they will follow in our footsteps. However, for our lifetime, we will continue to do what we are doing.

Looking forward, I have considered taking my steers all the way through the feedlot process. I would like to try that sometime because we have the genetics, and we continue to buy the absolute best bulls we can find. I would like to take them through the feedlot to further measure where we are and see what additional improvements we can make.

What are the traits you look for when selecting bulls?

When selecting bulls, the main traits I look at are yearling weights and weaning weights, marbling and average daily gain. When I’m calving heifers, I also look at calving ease and birth weight EPDs for the calving ease bulls. Looking at what we are doing right now as well as looking forward to the future, these traits are going to be very important to keep us viable in the beef industry.

What strategies do you use to market your cattle?

Originally, I went to local sale barns but felt that I wasn’t being paid for our genetics. I wanted to get away from that and landed on Superior Livestock Auction since I had a pot load of calves available at a time. Last

year, Tom Strahm, AGA commercial marketing director, approached me and suggested I use the AGA Feeder Finder program. Tom has been great to work with, and we are very happy with the results it has given us while being in the second year of its use. Next year, we are going to move to the Balancer® Edge program. We also sell several heifers off the farm from time to time.

What legacy are you hoping to create in your lifetime and through your operation?

I would like to let as many people as possible know how great Gelbvieh and Balancers are and the amount of influence they can have on the average cowherd. I tell everybody from Montana to Florida how great these Gelbviehs and Balancers are and how they can improve their herd by using some of that influence.

AGA Hosts Career Exploration for Tomorrow’s Industry Leaders Webinar

Source: American Gelbvieh Association (AGA)

LINCOLN, Neb. – In November, the American Gelbvieh Association hosted a webinar to help bridge the gaps between the stereotypes of agriculture careers and the near-endless opportunities that exist within the employment sector. The one-hour resource featured Paxton Dahmer, Corteva Agriscience Land and Pasture Management, Jessie Jarvis, founder of Of the West, and former AGA Youth and Member Activities Coordinator, Jake Renner.

Career Exploration for Tomorrow’s Industry Leaders served as both the webinar’s title and framework for the discussion.

“Less than one percent of Americans grow the food and fiber that fuels the agricultural employment sector,” Renner told attendees. “However, more than 15% of the 320-plus billion people in the United States are employed by a career in agriculture.”

The three panelists discussed the growing opportunities agriculture has to offer, their unique and diverse background and how each forged their own pathway to a career in the sector. The conversation offered key insights into both building and leveraging a network around interest and passion to lay the foundation of a career pathway.

Renner discussed the attributes and transferrable soft skills all members of organizations such as the American Gelbvieh Junior Association have the opportunity to gain and the importance of seeking out extra-curricular

clubs and organizations that serve as catalysts to expand a young person’s comfort zone.

The group also focused on the importance of experience and leveraging internships to discover company culture and “fit”.

“Many times we don’t think about internships until we are juniors or seniors in college,” Jarvis says. “My best piece of advice is to start applying for internships as soon as you can. Even if the internships are in the same career pathway, you’re exploring the company as much as you are exploring and learning about the career pathway. There are so many opportunities gained and lost between high school, college and entering the workforce.”

Additionally, the panel discussed their take on remote opportunities, building a career network, mentorships, and which classes they are still putting to work today.

Megan Slater, AGA executive director, shares that this webinar coincides with the association’s efforts to promote the agriculture and livestock sectors as viable and rewarding career paths for the next generation while also serving as a resource for AGA membership.

“We have ongoing initiatives to create and provide resources that help our membership within the cattle industry and our youth are an important part of those efforts – they are the next generation and the future of the cattle industry,” says Slater.

To learn more about AGA’s webinars and educational resources, visit the Learn tab at gelbvieh.org.

American Gelbvieh Association Elects Board of Directors

Source: American Gelbvieh Association (AGA)

LINCOLN, Neb. – Members of the American Gelbvieh Association elected five candidates to the board of directors at the annual membership meeting held December 1, 2023, during the AGA National Convention in Omaha, Nebraska.

Newly elected board members are Greg “Bubba” Anderson, Marion, North Carolina; Troy Forbes, De Smet, South Dakota; Justin Taubenheim, Amherst, Nebraska; and Dan Warner, Dan Warner, Arapahoe, Nebraska. Re-elected to serve a second term was William McIntosh, Georgetown, Kentucky.

The AGA board of directors also elected individuals to serve in leadership positions on the executive committee for 2024. Lori Maude, Hermosa, South Dakota, was re-elected president. David Larson, Clearbrook, Minnesota, was elected vice president. Brent Overmiller, Smith Center, Kansas, was elected secretary. William McIntosh was re-elected treasurer.

Other members of the board include Todd Bicket, DVM, Chickamauga, Georgia; Zack Butler, Milton, Tennessee; Mark Covington, Montrose, Colorado; Gary Felger, Lohman, Missouri; Gregg Hartman, Pueblo, Colorado; Tom Vehige, Billings, Missouri; and Cory Voss, Bruning, Nebraska.

Dedicated to continuing the positive traits of disposition, calving ease, milk, and growth since 1978.

Retiring members of the 2023 AGA board of directors were Dustin Aherin, Parkville, Missouri; Jeff Loveless, Spanish Fork, Utah; Derek Martin, Kinsley, Kansas; and Dan McCarty, Rifle, Colorado.

The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,000 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance-oriented total herd reporting system.

The American Gelbvieh Association elected directors and officers for 2024 during its national convention in Omaha, Neb. Back row (left to right): Justin Taubenheim, Amherst, Neb.; Tom Vehige, Billings, Mo.; Mark Covington, Montrose, Colo.; Gary Felger, Lohman, Mo.; Troy Forbes, De Smet, S.D.; Gregg Hartman, Pueblo, Colo.; Dan Warner, Arapahoe, Neb.; Greg Anderson, Marion, N.C.; Zack Butler, Milton, Tenn. Front row (left to right): Brent Overmiller, Smith Center, Kan.; William McIntosh, Georgetown, Ky.; Lori Maude, Hermosa, S.D.; David Larson, Clearbrook, Minn.; Executive Director Megan Slater, Lincoln, Neb.

Martin Named 2023 AGA Breeder of the Year

Source: American Gelbvieh Association (AGA)

LINCOLN, Neb. – Derek Martin of Bucklin, Kansas, was announced as the 2023 American Gelbvieh Association Breeder of the Year at the 53rd Annual AGA National Convention on November 30, 2023, at the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District in Omaha, Nebraska.

Martin along with his brother and sister-in-law, Eric and Holly Martin, own Golden Image Cattle near Ford, Kansas. The operation focuses on producing functional cattle that work for their commercial customers. An emphasis on structure and eye appeal in the operation’s breeding program has resulted in the cattle having success in the show ring. In addition to his Gelbvieh operation, Martin is the manager of Kinsley Feeders, LLC, a 30,000 head feedlot located near Kinsley, Kansas.

Martin recently completed his second term on the AGA board of directors, where he has served as secretary and treasurer. He has also served as the AGA representative on the American Gelbvieh Foundation board of directors. Martin manages the steers delivered to Kinsley Feeders for the AGF Steer Challenge and Scale and Rail Contest, where he provides reports and data on individual steer performance to the AGA to increase the amount of carcass data in the genetic evaluation.

In addition to his AGA involvement, Martin has been involved in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Kansas Livestock Association, Kansas Beef Council, and Beef Empire Days.

Congratulations to Derek Martin on being named the 2023 AGA Breeder of the Year!

Derek Martin, 2023 American Gelbvieh Association Breeder of the Year

Sustainability Starts with the Cow

Source: Megan Underwood, M.S., American Gelbvieh Association

Sustainability is a popular topic of conversation within the beef industry, with discussions surrounding improving operational efficiency and increasing transparency to build consumer trust while remaining profitable. For beef producers, sustainability starts at the herd level with the cow. With an efficient use of resources, the Gelbvieh cow is the picture of sustainability in today’s modern beef industry.

Gelbvieh females do more with less. Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle offer maternal superiority through increased longevity, added fertility and more pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed. Additionally, Gelbvieh and Balancer females offer a reduced mature cow size, greater calving ease and reach puberty at an earlier age.

U.S. Meat Animal Research Center data shows

Gelbvieh females have the smallest mature cow size and are the earliest to mature of the major beef breeds. The Gelbvieh breed was the only breed in the study to reduce mature cow size – at an average of 1,382 pounds

Gelbvieh-sired females had the lowest five-year-old cow weight. This reduced mature cow size allows for puberty to be reached at an earlier age, which leads to calving earlier in the season and producing a heavier calf at a younger age.

Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics deliver maternal superiority in planned crossbreeding systems. Gelbvieh maternal influence offers added fertility, increased longevity, and more pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed. Using Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics can increase profitability through heavier weaning weights, improved feed bunk efficiency as well as heavier, fastergaining cattle. Highly productive cows with adaptability, versatility and sustainability can have a positive impact on the producer’s bottom line.

Sustained production in the cow herd is essential. Gelbvieh females are proven to stay in the herd longer and consume less while weaning heavier calves.

Gelbvieh-influenced females are the smart, reliable and profitable maternal choice for achieving sustainability in today’s modern beef industry. Be sustainable, breed Gelbvieh.

COUNTY NEWS

See What’s Happening in Your County

Newton and McDonald County Cattlemen

The Annual Steak night meeting of the Newton and McDonald County Cattlemen’s Association was sponsored by Eubanks Equipment and held at 6:30 November 14, 2023, at the Newton County Fairgrounds. Approximately 100 members and guests were in attendance. Brian Hall opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Mark Hall offered the prayer for the meeting. Students from Crowder College served the meal and provided the side dishes. Members and wives provided the desserts and homemade ice cream. Brian Hall thanked Crowder and the students for their contribution, he also thanked Eubanks Equipment for sponsoring the meeting.

Connie Rogers read the minutes from the last meeting on September 19. Alan Drake made the motion to accept the minutes with Max Ruhl seconding, and it passed unanimously. John Hobbs read over the treasure’s report updating the balances for the association. Jerry Davis made the motion to accept the treasures report with Alan Drake seconding the motion, and it passed unanimously.

John Hobbs was given an award for his service to the association.

Jim B. discussed what he learned in Jefferson City regarding the sludge that was being used by area farmers. He discussed the health issues that it causes, and how it is devaluing properties in the counties.

Ronnie Rogers made a motion to update our policies in relation to the sludge and what is acceptable as fertilizer.

Chris Wright updated us on his policies as he is running for Governor.

Brian Hall introduced our two speakers of the night Patrick Davis and Reagan Ruhl from the University of Missouri Extension office. Patrick is a Livestock Field Specialist and Reagan Ruhl is a Dairy Specialist.

Patrick discussed feeding cattle through the winter, how to use forage tests, nutrient requirements for cattle, feeding strategies based on hay tests. The body condition of your cattle, manure score and what it means to the health of the animal. Cold stress effect, and how to minimize hay waste with how high the cost is.

Reagan discussed the safe handling of your herd. She is an advocate of the Temple Grandin approach to livestock handling and discussed what that entails. Walking in Squares and not circles to get cattle to move and using right angles.

Brian from Eubanks Equipment discussed the manual cattle chute that he brought to the meeting to demonstrate. Reagan Ruhl was also demonstrating the features that she felt were best on the equipment.

The meeting was brought to a close with all members helping stack chairs and tables.

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Joann 417.827.2756

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Office: 573-302-7011 • Fax: 573-348-8325

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Alan Mead, Owner 573-216-0210

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E-mail: Julie@missouriangus.org missouriangus.org

Doug & LaRee Frank 608-279-3172

Brent & Keri Hazelrigg 703-587-9959 Visit us online: FHCCbeef.com

Polk County Cattlemen

To shake off the winter chill, the Polk County Cattlemen and Cattlewomen, competed in the annual chili cook off at the Bolivar Elks Lodge on Saturday, January 13. Although the weather was frigid, you all but forgot about it by simply walking through the door. The colorful booths with steaming pots of chili lined the space. For a mere $5 per person sampling fee, you could try all the delicious varieties on display. Once you picked your favorite you were encouraged to get a bowl and visit with others.

The cattlemen’s team consisted of Mark Stanek, Steve Brockhoff, and Les Hopkins. They had prepared their favorite recipe and decorated their table with a red and white checked tablecloth. They included some toppings to complete the perfect bowl of chili. The cattlewomen’s team included Donita Stanek, Leona Benson, Donna Hopkins, Roberta Doke and Kim Hawk. They decorated with a western theme complete with a cowboy tablecloth and fun cactus. They had a not too hot batch of chili that was very delicious. There were also some sweet treats to entice the samplers to visit the table for a taste. Other teams also brought their own flair to the competition. There were local businesses that joined in the day for a chance to win as well. Each chili was unique and wonderful in its own way.

Even though neither team took home an award, a fun time was had by all. The warm smiles, lighthearted laughs and spicy chili were reward enough. Perhaps next year the cattlemen and cattlewomen will join to be a force to be reckoned with.

Southwest Missouri Cattlemen

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose,” Romans 8:28. Its an interesting study to pause and attempt to determine one’s purpose. I’m convinced of two concepts: no two individuals have the exact same purpose or path, and that we are truly blessed to be involved with production agriculture at whatever scale we find ourselves. Many of us recited the FFA Creed as agriculture students in high school, a couple of phrases rooted in reality come to mind: “better days through better ways… [and that agriculture is] pleasant as well as challenging” (FFA Creed).

Agriculture is a noble industry and calling. Our production systems are the envy of many nations around the globe. A few quick searches on the internet tells an interesting story such as the American Farmer and Rancher have aged; they are on average, nearing 58 years of age. Meanwhile, producers under the age of 35 makeup just 9% of farmers and ranchers. Wow! On the production side, the US is ranked fourth globally for the number of cattle, yet we are the top beef producing nation in the world. We produce over 21% percent of the world’s beef, with less than 10% of the cattle on Earth.

At our January meeting, sponsored by Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri, Missouri Farm Bureau’s Director of Commodities and Marketing, Davin Althoff, shared a timely view of the 2024 cattle market outlook. He shared that we can look toward decreasing fertilizer prices, steady beef demand, and a continuation of the cattle cycle showing 1-2 years of strong cattle prices. He noted that values of replacement cattle were on the rise, and that generally fed cattle and bred cow values typically mirror each other. This can be a helpful indicator for determining value of replacement females. I’ve included a remarkable graphic from Mr. Althoff’s presentation; it shows the tremendous spread in the US between cattle inventory and beef production - since the 1980’s, our inventory has decreased by about 18% while our beef production has increased by 18%!

Mr. Althoff doesn’t have a genie in a bottle, in fact, one of my dear friends, David Tummons, used to say it best, “My crystal ball’s a little hazy!” I believe we have reasons for optimism in 2024. We are fortunate to be able to experience the “joys and discomforts of agricultural life,” and that it is a component of our purpose. I hope you are able to join us at the Capitol for one of our Region 7 visit dates February 21, April 3, or April 24. We have the opportunity to shake hands, build relationships and advocate for rural values with the individuals responsible for changes that may occur within our lives and communities.

Wrapping up, I look at the statistics shared earlier, and come to one glaring, yet obvious conclusion that cattle producers look forward, adopt practical change, and stay the course. Its a pleasure to know each of you. See you in February!

Nathan Isakson President - Southwest Missouri Cattlemen’s Association

Dallas County

A crowd of 66 cattlemen and guests braved extreme cold temperatures and not very good road conditions to attend the first meeting of the New Year for the Dallas County Cattlemen’s Association. The meeting was held at Prairie Grove School south of Buffalo on January 9, the group received BQA training from DCCA board member and University of Missouri Field Specialist in Livestock Andy McCorkill.

We appreciate Andy’s efforts in providing us beef producers with valuable information and training on how to raise our cattle under optimum conditions. We know how important it is to capture the most value from our cattle and implement the best management practices within our herds.

Also on hand to help out that evening was Patrick Davis, field specialist in livestock from Stockton. We really appreciate Monica Thornburg of MBIC traveling from Columbia to be with us as well.

Earlier in the evening the group was treated to a chili dinner provided by DCCA board members. Our next meeting will be February 13. We hope everyone stays safe during these winter months.

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Lafayette County

For the second time, Lafayette County Cattlemen are awarding continuing education scholarships in the amount of $1000 each. These scholarships are made possible by the donors and supporters of our Scholarship Dinner. The winners of the continuing education scholarship are:

Cade Rector of Lexington, MO. Cade is in his third year at Northwest Missouri State University studying Mathematics.

Katelynn Schreiman of Waverly, MO. Katelynn is in her first year at State Fair Community College studying Agricultural Business.

Briana Frerking of Higginsville, MO. Briana is in her second year at the University of MissouriColumbia studying Pharmacy.

Trent Begemann of Odessa, MO. Trent is in his third year at Northwest Missouri State University studying Agricultural Business.

The February educational meeting will be held Tuesday, February 27, at 7:00 p.m., at the Mayview Community Building. The program topic will be livestock risk insurance.

The annual membership meeting will be held March 2 at the Mayview School. The social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Election of officers and industry updates will take place.

Robert S. Bricker

Robert S. “Bob” Bricker, 89, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, passed away on Sunday, December 31, 2023, at Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri. Funeral services were held Friday, January 5, 2024 at Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, Missouri. Interment in Raymore Cemetery in Raymore, Missouri. Memorial contributions can be made to the University of Missouri Livestock Judging Team or the Harrisonville Elks Lodge.

Bob was born September 7, 1934, to David Homer and Velma Pearl (Wilkin) Bricker in Kansas City, Missouri. Bob grew up in Cass County, starting school at Judy Rural School No. 73, a school his grandfather helped build and at which his mother taught. He then went to Raymore schools for several years before graduating from Peculiar High School in 1952. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry. While attending Mizzou, he was on the Livestock Judging Team. Bob was united in marriage to Mary Lou Webb on July 21, 1956 in Peculiar, MO.

After college, Bob went to work at the Kansas City Stockyards and later formed a partnership that became the Kansas City Livestock Commission Co. In 1971, he sold out and built Miami County Livestock Company in Paola, Kansas. In 1979, he participated in the World Livestock Auctioneer Contest in Brush, Colorado.

Bob was active in several organizations where he took a leadership role. He helped start the Belton Jaycees, where he served as President. He was a 50-year member of Belton-Grandview Masonic Lodge #450 in Belton, and a member of the Cass County Elks Lodge. Bob was active in the Missouri Cattleman’s Association, serving as President for two years from 1981 to 1983, and he

was instrumental in merging the Missouri Cattleman’s Association with the Missouri Livestock Feeders Association into one organization. In August 1981, Bob was also instrumental in starting the Beef House at the Missouri State Fair. He was also a charter member of the National Cattleman’s Association and had served as a Director from 1981 to 1983. Most of all, he was a lifelong Mizzou and Kansas City Chiefs fan. Hunting quail, geese, ducks, pheasant and deer were his lifetime hobbies.

Bob was preceded in death by two brothers, Dennis Woods Bricker and Gilbert Earl Bricker. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary Lou; his daughter, Debi Walthall; his son, Steve (Cathy) Bricker; grandchildren: Charity (Ray) Rushly, Brian (Amber) Cronin, Cody (Jamie) Walthall, and Rachel (Clint) Ash; and 14 greatgrandchildren.

Russ Harriman, Tom Sites, and Bob Bricker signing the agreement combining MCA and the Missouri Livestock Feeders Association.

George Perry

George Perry, 82, passed into new life on Monday, September 18, 2023, while at home in Columbia, Illinois. George was born on June 17, 1941, the son of Joseph B. and Alta C (Collett) Perry of rural Shelby County, Missouri. He graduated from Shelbina High School and attended the University of MissouriColumbia. While at Mizzou, George met and married Mary E. Herrman with whom he shared his life for 53 years and raised two daughters. At that time, George also fell in love with aviation when he was mentored by E.W. “Cotton” and Frances Woods at Columbia Flying Service, where he first learned to fly. This led to a career in commercial aviation including obtaining his commercial pilot license with multi-engine rating, becoming a flight instructor, FAA check pilot, charter pilot, head pilot of Flight Operations for the State of Missouri, and owner/manager of Central Missouri Aviation in Columbia, Missouri and Jefferson City Flying Service in Jefferson City, Missouri. George had a fulfilling career as a professional pilot and was proud to mentor many young people into the field. Some of his favorite trips were to take his beloved Missouri Tigers basketball team to road games, where he loved to root them on from behind the bench. George was a member of AOPA, Quiet Birdmen, and Columbia Rotary Club.

After retirement from aviation, George and Mary operated GM Feedlot, Inc. in Appleton City, Missouri through the spring of 2000. During his farming career, George was active in Bates County Cattlemen and the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association, where he served as state president.

Following their second retirements, George and Mary became full time RVers and traveled the United States extensively to see the country and to visit with family and friends. Their best winters were spent at The Palms RV Resort in Yuma, AZ. They made many wonderful friends during their time in Yuma to add to the cherished friendships made during their years in Jefferson City and Columbia, Missouri, and from their time spent on the farm. Following Mary’s passing in 2014, George lived in the Columbia, IL area near family. He was all-in, whether at work or at play, and often said his best job ever was being a grandpa. George never knew a stranger, was quick with a laugh and a

joke for every situation, loved to read and learn, and had a zest for life. After living a life guided by his personal integrity and strong family values, he’s now shot his final approach and made a happy landing!!

George is survived by his daughter, Leigh Ann Perry, Midland Park, NJ; his daughter and son-in-law Michael and Karen Weiler, Columbia, IL; seven grandchildren: Justin (Anna) Weiler, Monument, CO, Adam (Tina) Weiler, Waterloo, IL, Jacob (Claire) Weiler and Caleb Weiler, Columbia, IL, Brendan Geen, Boulder, CO, Mary Geen, Midland Park, NJ, and Hannah Weiler, Peoria, IL; six great-grandchildren: Jackson and Colette Weiler, Monument, CO, Peyton, Michael and baby Weiler, Waterloo, IL, and Theo Weiler, Columbia, IL; sisters-in-law Kathleen Perry, Bethel, MO and Grace Bartz, Appleton City, MO, and many dear family members and friends. George was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary E. Perry, great-granddaughter Lucia Rose Weiler, and siblings John (Charlotte and Joan) Perry, Elaine (Lee Ed) Harvey, Robert Perry, Donald Perry, and Carol (John) Hammond, and brother-in-law Leonard Bartz.

Donations may be made to Bloomington Cemetery, 33625 State Hwy C, Bevier, Missouri 63532 or Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 S. Illinois St., Belleville, Illinois 62220-2159.

Past MCA President George Perry.

MaShelle Trimble

Jan MaShelle Trimble, 64, of Unionville, Missouri, entered eternal life on Friday January 12, 2024, at her home surrounded by family.

MaShelle was preceded in death by her father Larry Robinson, granddaughter Gwyna Trimble, father-inlaw Dean Trimble and grandparents Roscoe and Carol Lightfoot.

Left to honor her memory is her husband Jim of 45 years; son, Justin of Unionville and daughter Jenika (Wade) Huston of Chillicothe, MO; her mother, Judy Robinson; brothers Scott (Patty) Robinson of Unionville and Andy (Toni) Robinson of Columbia, MO. Also surviving are her 5 cherished grandsons, Haze, Ryker and Dechlan Trimble and Ridge and Coy Huston; also many nieces, nephews, cousins and many wonderful friends who she held dear to heart and were as close as family.

The daughter of Larry and Judy Robinson, MaShelle was born November 13, 1959, in Unionville, Missouri. On July 14, 1978, she married Jim Trimble. To this union two children were born, Justin and Jenika.

MaShelle started working for Farmers Implement in 1978 until Rex and Mary closed in 1986. She then worked for Michaels Foundation and was later a night dispatcher at the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. She was the Union Township Tax Collector for 20 years, the City Tax Collector and was currently the Treasurer for the Unionville Special Road District. She clerked many auctions for Gary Knight as well as the Putnam County Junior Livestock Sale, which she was a huge supporter of. In 1987, she started working for Ronny Roof at the Department of Revenue and in 1992 was appointed by Governor John Ashcroft as the License Bureau Fee Agent. She served our community as License Bureau Fee Agent for 31 years, where she came to know everyone and became a friend to all. She was an irreplaceable staple in the community.

MaShelle was an avid sports fan and loved the Kansas City Chiefs, St Louis Cardinals Baseball and Mizzou

Football and Basketball. She was always a supporter of the local school teams as she followed Justin & Jenika throughout school, and now as an avid fan and supporter of her grandson’s teams.

She loved a cattle show, especially watching her grandsons in recent years, but she was also there to support so many other kids from the area. Watching the steer show at the Coliseum at Missouri State Fairgrounds was MaShelle’s favorite place to be. She opened and closed the Missouri State Fair every year. Her camper was welcome to any child or family needing a sleepover, food or just a story full of laughs.

MaShelle was very active in her community. She was a member of Unionville Methodist Church where she served on several committees. She served on the Putnam County Fair Board for 22 years and was instrumental in building up the fair for the kids and their livestock, a passion she had throughout her entire life.

She liked to cook and was always willing to provide the hot rolls when needed. There was always macaroni and cheese at every meal, and if you knew her, you knew she always had a stash of Velveeta. She was generous with her cooking, always bringing food to someone or organizing meals at church.

MaShelle was special to all who knew her, and she had a way of making everyone else feel special too. She was always ready to share a story, a laugh, and a meal with those she loved. Her kindness, generosity and love will not be forgotten.

Graveside Services for MaShelle were held at the Union Church Cemetery in Putnam County on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

Memorials may be made payable to the Union Church Cemetery, the Putnam County 4-H Council, or the Putnam County Health Department and entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.

Robert W. Hart

Kansas City, Kansas - Bob Hart died Sunday morning, January 14, in the home where he grew up, on the farm he loved.

Bob was born in Kansas City, KS on February 12, 1946, to I.N. and Irene Rollins Hart. He graduated from Turner High School in 1964.

He entered politics at the age of 22, when he was elected trustee for Shawnee Township in KCK. In 1972, he was elected Wyandotte County Commissioner, the youngest to ever hold the office. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas, he moved to Denver and went into oil and gas publishing with his brother, Don Hart. Bob was a licensed pilot and flew throughout the western oil fields, promoting Hart Publications and selling ads.

In 1984, he returned to KCK and founded the Hart Agency. Over the next 35 years, he used his marketing, photography and creative skills to help clients grow their businesses.

On January 2, 1992, he married Margee Horan. They met the previous year in a direct marketing certification program. It was the third time they’d encountered each other over a span of 20 years. This time sparks flew, and they were married 6 months after their first date.

For nearly 30 years, Bob raised purebred Gelbvieh cattle, selling stock all over the United States and winning numerous awards at the American Royal, Missouri and Kansas state fairs and the National Western Stock Show.

He enjoyed participating in barbecue competitions, winning top awards at the Lenexa Barbecue and the American Royal Barbecue.

Bob and Margee also bred Arabian horses. He often said he loved beautiful horses, beautiful cattle and beautiful women, but not necessarily in that order. He was an avid genealogist, spending hours researching the Hart family tree and culminating in acceptance as a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was a member of the Saddle & Sirloin Club, Heart of America Gelbvieh Association and the American Gelbvieh Association.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brother Harvey Russell Hart and sister Dorothy Jean Hart Kroh. He is survived by his wife, Margee, brother Don Hart and many nieces and nephews. Thanks to numerous friends, especially Damon Ortiz and nephew Steve Hart, for their kindness and support in helping Bob continue working and enjoying his cattle, even as his health was failing. Heartfelt appreciation to everyone, especially the nurses and support staff, at the KU Cancer Center at Westwood for their care and compassion throughout his illness.

Services were held on February 1 at Amos Funeral Home, Shawnee, KS. Visitation from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., followed by a memorial service with interment immediately afterward. A celebration was held the same day from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Saddle & Sirloin Club, 14401 Holmes Rd., KCMO. Memorial contributions can be made to the AGF Junior Endowment Association, c/o the American Gelbvieh Foundation, 1001 S. 70th St., Suite 215, Lincoln, NE 68510.

Politician, pilot, photographer, marketer, cattleman, friend, uncle and husband. Bob wore many hats while living a full life, and he wore them all exceedingly well. His passing leaves a void in the lives of those who knew and loved him.

Bob Hart.

Scholarships Available through FCS Financial

Source: FCS

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, January 10, 2024 –

Since 2004, FCS Financial has provided more than $825,000 to Missouri high school seniors seeking higher education. Up to 35 scholarships, each at $1,500, will be awarded to children or grandchildren of FCS Financial member-owners. The scholarship deadline is March 1 and recipients will be notified in April.

Applicants must be a graduating senior at a Missouri high school and a child or grandchild of an FCS Financial member. Additionally, the student must attain a grade point average of 2.5 or higher, an ACT score of at least 26 or rank in the top 20 percent of their senior class. The scholarship applicants are then judged by a non-partisan committee on leadership roles, work experience, community involvement and essays.

Apply online at www.myfcsfinancial.com. Click on About Us at the top of the web page and choose the Scholarships link. Relatives of FCS Financial board members or employees are not eligible.

FCS Financial serves 102 counties through 21 offices in Missouri. FCS Financial is a member of the Farm Credit System. The system is a nationwide network of cooperative lending institutions that provides credit and financial services to farmers, ranchers, rural residents and agribusinesses. With more than 100 years of agricultural lending experience, the Farm Credit System is the largest single provider of agricultural credit in the United States.

2023 was Likely Earth’s Warmest Year on Record, Missouri’s Third

Source: University of Missouri Extension

Drought during growing season also defined 2023.

COLUMBIA, Mo. – September-November 2023 will go down on record as Earth’s warmest such period on record, a substantial leap – 0.70 F (0.39 C) – above the previous record from 2015, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The report uses historical climate data going back to 1850.

NOAA says there is a 99% chance that 2023 will be the warmest year in 174 years of records.

The average annual temperature in the lower 48 states was 54.43 F, making it the fifth-warmest year on record dating back to 1895, based on data from NOAA’s National Center for Environmental Information.

In a record-breaking year with many climate extremes across the globe, Missouri also experienced unusually warm and dry conditions in 2023, says Zack Leasor, University of Missouri Extension state climatologist.

Missouri’s average temperature in December was 9.1 F above average. “This continues a streak of 14 consecutive months with above-normal average monthly temperatures in Missouri,” Leasor says.

“Eleven counties in northern Missouri experienced their warmest December on record. The smallest county in the state, Worth County, in northwest Missouri, was warmest, with temperatures 11.5 F above average,” he says.

The statewide average temperature for 2023 was 57.4 F, making 2023 the third-warmest year on record for Missouri going back to 1895 and 2.9 F above the 19012000 average, he says.

The same data shows that Missouri’s annually averaged daily high temperatures were higher on average (+3.2 F) than daily low temperatures (+2.6 F). Howell and Oregon counties in southern Missouri set the record for their warmest year on record, breaking records from 2012 and 2016, respectively, Leasor says.

Missouri finished the year with 35.89 inches of precipitation, which is 4.61 inches below the state’s annual average. 2023 ranked as the 24th driest year on record. Excluding some of the wetter months of the year, the eight-month period of April to November was the seventh driest stretch on record, with the 2023 drought

defining the state’s growing season.

The only years with drier growing seasons include some of the most notable drought years in state history: 1901, 1953, 1980, 2012, 1976 and 1930. Thirteen counties ended 2023 with precipitation deficits exceeding 10 inches for the year.

For more information on Missouri’s climate, go to http:// climate.missouri.edu.

What to Feed When There’s Nothing to Feed

Source: University of Missouri Extension

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Many Missouri beef producers found themselves trying to pull a rabbit out of the hat as they rang in 2024 with low hay supplies, says University of Missouri Extension beef nutrition specialist Eric Bailey.

Bailey says post-drought feeding woes leave producers challenged with “what to feed when there is no feed.”

The severity of the drought in 2022 and 2023 may have been underrated, he says. Many areas of the state faced precipitation deficits of 12-20 inches in mid-November before entering winter – typically the driest season of the year. Mid-Missouri was among the hardest-hit areas, with 80% less precipitation than normal, but drought ravaged pastures throughout the state.

Effects of those deficits continue to carry over for the 43,000 Missouri cattle farms and ranches. Bailey says producers should strive to hold winter feeding costs to $5 or less per cow per day.

Bailey urges producers to look at their total mixed ration (TMR) to ensure that cattle receive adequate nutrition for good health, milk production and reproduction in the days ahead. TDN needs differ for lactating (62%) and (55%) dry cows.

Feed cows based on nutrient requirements, rather than appetite. Ask if bellowing cows are hungry or just wanting. Limit intake slightly – from 2.5% to 2.0% of body weight per day. Small reductions such as this should lower your feed bill but not adversely affect the cow’s health.

Bailey offers these tips for stretching your feed during the next few months:

• Check out MU Extension’s new Feedstuff Finder at https://feedstufffinder.org. The platform helps producers and consumers of feedstuffs find one another, cut transportation costs and manage tight winter feed supplies when feed costs and availability can be volatile.

• Switch up the menu based on your budget. Consider the cost of feeding hay vs. corn. Corn prices are low at the present and prices are high for hay, even poor-quality hay that may not offer good nutrition. Put a pencil to it and figure out which provides the most nutrition for the dollar.

• Reduce hay waste.

• Consider investing in farm infrastructure. This might be a good time to consider investing in covered storage for hay to reduce waste. Fences and watering systems can allow grazing of cornstalks.

•

When faced with weathered bales, low hay supplies in the barn and high feed prices, livestock producers must adjust to maintain healthy bottom lines. Photo courtesy of Eric Bailey.

• Ask if feed savings will offset paying for a mixer. Assuming you have a tractor, you can save $50 per cow. “Even if you have 100 cows, that’s a huge savings,” says Bailey.

• Always, always, always, look at your stocking rate and be ready to hitch the trailer. You can feed corn silage without a mixer as a high-nutrient, highwaste alternative. Exposure to air increases spoilage and decreases feed value and palatability. Knowing how the silage was put up will help you determine if it is a good value. If it smells like dirty feet, walk away.

Figure dry ton costs for the best deal. Corn silage at $80 per ton and at 35% dry matter amounts to $228.57 per dry ton. Corn at $5.32 per bushel is $223.54 per dry ton, and soyhulls at 13 cents per pound is $288.88 per dry ton.

Consider feeding cornstalks if you have fencing and a water supply. Limit cows to grazing cornstalks for two months or less, and allow an acre per cow per month. Protein intake is limited after the first 30 days on the same field as cows eat their way through leaves, husk and, finally, stalks and cobs. Also, consider soil compaction caused by grazing cattle.

The nutrient value of grazed cornstalks diminishes with time and need to be supplemented. Bailey recommends supplementing with 5 pounds of a 14% commodity mix per cow per day. The goal is to get 0.75 pounds of crude protein per cow per day.

He recommends guidance from your regional MU Extension livestock specialist and these resources from the University of Nebraska:

“Grazing Corn Stalks or Corn Residue?” https:// beef.unl.edu/beefwatch/2020/grazing-corn-stalks-orcorn-residue

“Keys for Corn Stalk Grazing,” https://beef.unl.edu/ keys-corn-stalk-grazing

“Corn Stalk Grazing Calculator,” https://beef.unl. edu/learning/cornstalkgrazingcalc.shtml

Ammoniation of less palatable hay or straw also is an option. See https://extension.missouri.edu/news/ ammoniation-stretches-hay-supplies-during-drought.

Another option in some parts of the state is cotton gin trash, which is the residual seeds, bolls, leaves and stems of the cotton plant left after harvest.

Learn more about calculating winter feed costs for beef cows at https://extension.missouri.edu/news/calculatingwinter-feed-costs-for-beef-cows. You may also contact your regional MU Extension livestock specialist.

MU Show-Me-Select Program Had Successful 2023

Source: University of Missouri Extension

University of Missouri Extension’s Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program had a successful year in 2023 for both buyers and sellers, even with some impact on fall sales from drought.

The fall 2023 sale season wrapped up with 928 ShowMe-Select heifers marketed through six sanctioned sale locations with gross sales of $2,544,825.

“While much of the state was plagued by drought and an unstable market moving into the fall, statewide marketings rose 9% compared to 2022, while average Show-Me-Select heifer sale prices rose a little more than 20%, year over year,” said MU Extension livestock specialist Zac Erwin. “This speaks to the reputation of the program that buyers and sellers continue to look at this as the gold standard for heifer development throughout Missouri.”

For example, the east-central Missouri Show-MeSelect sale at Farmington continued to have steady consignment numbers in addition to a new producer selling heifers in the fall 2023 sale, said MU Extension livestock specialist Kendra Graham.

“That producer has been completing all the requirements for the program for several years but never officially enrolled until now,” Graham said. “A couple that capitalized on the marketing portion of the Show-Me-Select program sold 22 head and snagged the second-highest consignor average in the fall sale at Farmington.”

A total of 131 heifers averaging $2,599 per head sold Dec. 8 at Farmington Regional Stockyards.

“Heifer sale consignments for the fall 2023 sale were lower compared to the number enrolled in the spring,” said Graham. “Drought conditions and lack of winter hay prompted producers to sell older/lower-productive cows and kept the young heifers to replace them rather than selling in the sale. Cattle prices were very unstable in December, causing later Show-Me-Select sales to average less than those sales held in November 2023.”

John Wheeler, a former cow/calf producer in Marionville, has been with the Show-Me-Select program since 2001.

“(Late MU Extension livestock specialist) Eldon Cole was a major factor in helping me learn from the program,” Wheeler said. “I had my second-best sale this past fall, earning $3,500 per head on average. It’s a good program – you’ve got to stay in it through thick and thin. Start with good-quality heifers and stand behind those you sell. Repeat buyers are a big part of my

(Continued on page 81)

A set of six heifers consigned by Greg Tharp of Naylor, Mo., selling at the ShowMe-Select heifer sale at Farmington Regional Stockyards in 2022.

business growth.” Wheeler set a goal at the beginning for how much he’d make with the program. He said he’s now tripled that goal.

Patrick Davis, MU Extension livestock specialist based in southwestern Missouri, said, “Our numbers were lower than normal due to lots of reasons, but our average was pretty high. Compared to the previous fall sale, we sold about half the number of heifers, but the average was $813 higher per heifer. You could attribute some of that increased average price to supply and demand, but I think you must attribute some of that to the current high cattle market.”

Erwin said, “While total demand might have been slightly less due to feed shortages, heifers that were high-quality and bred for an acceptable calving period found great demand. Buyers knew what they wanted, and when they found it were willing to bid up in price to take them home. Quality is always an easy sell, even in a tough market environment. Repeat consignors are rewarded by repeat buyers.”

The Show-Me-Select program, which uses the latest research on health, nutrition, genetics and reproductive science to ensure Missouri producers are national leaders in providing quality beef, has a big impact on

Missouri’s economy, according to Thiago Martins, MU Extension state beef reproduction specialist.

“By 2021, more than 900 Missouri farms were enrolled, and heifers were sold to buyers in more than 21 states,” Martins said.

The program focuses on Missouri’s farmers and relies on active participation from regional extension livestock specialists and local veterinarians.

Key components of Show-Me-Select:

• Improved heifer development programs through a Total Quality Management strategy.

• Increased marketing opportunities and added value for Missouri-raised heifers.

• Creation of reliable sources of quality replacement heifers based on management, reproduction and genetics.

Show-Me-Select is now enrolling producers for 2024. If interested, contact one of the regional coordinators listed on the SMS website or your local livestock specialist for information on upcoming regional meetings and program requirements to participate. Spring sales are being planned. Learn more at https://mizzou.us/sms.

Missouri Beef Industry Council & Mo Beef Kids are “Beefing Up” Hunger Relief Efforts

Source: MBIC

Columbia, MO –Mo Beef Kids has teamed up with Feeding Missouri to help combat food insecurity and provide nutrient-rich beef snack sticks to children facing hunger. In December, they distributed a total of 90,000 beef sticks to six food banks and communities throughout Missouri.

Heather Hargrove, Executive Director of Feeding Missouri, explains this partnership comes at a critical time. “A growing number of families are struggling to provide food for their children.” In Missouri, over 177,000 children are food insecure and don’t always have access to their next meal. While school meals can provide some relief during the week, families rely on programs like weekend backpacks and school pantries to provide nutrients during the holidays and weekends.

Callaway Livestock Center, Inc.

On I-70, 4 miles east of Kingdom City, MO on outer road 573-642-7486

Every Monday:

Slaughter Cattle 12:00 p.m.

Selling All Classes of Cattle 12:30 p.m.

1st Thursday Nite of Each Month: 6:00 p.m. Bred Cows and Breeding Bull Sale

Jack Harrison 573-999-7197 (owner)

John P Harrison 573-220-1482

Claude Niemeyer .............. 573-470-1017

Roger Temmen 573-680-4538

Justin Oberling 217-440-7724

Glenn Stegman ................. 573-619-8495

Mo Beef Kids is grateful for the support of the Danny and Jewell Little Foundation and Show-Me Youth Academy in making this possible. Cattle farmer and educator Tammy Bartholomew, who also serves as Board Director for the Foundation for Food and Farm Connections and Executive Director of the Show Me-Youth Academy, is dedicated to connecting young people with the beef industry.

“Feeding kids while also educating them about the importance of beef in a healthy diet is something I am extremely passionate about,” says Bartholomew. “Beef is an excellent source of nutrition and can play an important role in combating hunger.” According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), one serving of beef provides ten essential nutrients, including protein, zinc, and B-vitamins. Protein, like beef, is one of the most requested items in food banks but can be challenging to obtain, making the efforts of organizations like Mo Beef Kids and their partners even more valuable.

This donation will mark the official launch of the “Beef Fuels You” beef stick brand. Proceeds from the snack stick line will support the mission of more beef in schools and backpacks. Organizations such as FFA and 4-H will be able to sell the beef sticks to benefit their groups while also spreading the message of the importance of beef in schools.

Emma Hohenberger, the organization’s Executive Director believes, “every child in Missouri should have access to quality food and full bellies. Shelf stable beef sticks is a vital contribution that helps meet this need, and we are grateful to share this gift with Feeding Missouri and their affiliate food banks.”

For more information on this program or Mo Beef Kids efforts visit mobeefkids.com.

About Mo Beef Kids

Mo Beef Kids connects local farmers and ranchers, school foodservice and community leaders to beef up school lunches and backpacks. The program has served over 3 million beef meals since 2019 and is in partnership with 120 Missouri school districts.

Mo Beef Kids is a program of the Foundation for Food and Farm Connections, a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to supporting local beef in schools and communities, while sharing the story of beef production and nutrition. This

effort is supported in part by the Missouri Beef Checkoff and more than 40,000 Missouri farmers and ranchers. Learn more at mobeefkids.com.

About Feeding Missouri

Feeding Missouri is a coalition of Missouri’s six feeding America food banks that work to provide hunger relief to every county in the state and the city of St. Louis through a coordinated network of more than 1,200 community and faith-based feeding programs. For more information, please visit feedingmissouri.org.

About Missouri Beef Industry Council

The Missouri Beef Industry Council is a nonprofit organization responsible for administering programs of promotion, education, research, and consumer and industry information.

MBIC is part of a coordinated state and national effort funded and controlled by beef producers who are assessed $1-per-head each time a beef animal is sold. Half of each dollar is forwarded to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board and the other half of the dollar is retained by the Missouri Beef Industry Council to fund state-based programs, which complement and extend the industry-wide effort. For more information, please visit mobeef.org.

November Pork Export Value Highest in 30 Months as Asia Headwinds Persist for Beef

Source: USMEF

Fueled by record performances in Mexico, Central America and Colombia, November exports of U.S. pork reached the highest value since mid-2021, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). U.S. beef exports slowed in November, recording the third lowest value of 2023. November lamb exports also trended lower.

With a Month to Spare, Pork Exports Set

Numerous Annual Records

November pork exports totaled 258,601 metric tons, up 5% from a year ago and the highest in six months. Export value was up 2% to $737.4 million, the highest since May 2021 and the seventh highest on record. November volume and value to Central America were record-large, while export value reached new heights in Mexico and Colombia. November exports also increased significantly to South Korea and Oceania.

For January through November, pork exports totaled 2.64 million metric tons, up 8% from a year ago, valued at $7.39 billion (up 5%). Annual records were already achieved in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Malaysia and Indonesia, while exports to Central America are on a record pace. Pork export value per head slaughtered ($63.12) was also record-high through November.

“The momentum for U.S. pork exports is remarkable and very broad-based,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “While Mexico accounts for much of the past year’s export growth, there are success stories throughout the Western Hemisphere and across the entire globe. And the coming year also looks very promising in both established and emerging markets.”

Solid Demand for U.S. Beef in Western Hemisphere, but Struggling in Asia

Beef exports totaled 99,029 metric tons in November, down 14% from a year ago and the second lowest of the year, while value fell 7% to $786.2 million. For the first 11 months of the year, beef exports were 13% below the record pace of 2022 at 1.18 million metric tons, while value declined 17% to $9.11 billion. Beef exports increased year-over-year to Mexico, Central America, the Dominican Republic and Hong Kong, but trended significantly lower to South Korea, Japan and China. Exports to Taiwan were below the record levels of 2022, but did not decline as sharply as in the larger Asian markets.

“There are certainly bright spots for U.S. beef, with exports rebounding in Mexico and demand in several Western Hemisphere markets the strongest we’ve seen in years,” Halstrom said. “But economic conditions in our largest Asian markets and the sharp rebound in Australian production and exports have been persistent obstacles over the past year, making it a sharp contrast with the tremendous 2022 performance for U.S. beef exports. Despite these challenges, we still see sustained demand for chilled U.S. beef, and the U.S. remains the dominant supplier of chilled beef entering Korea, Japan and Taiwan.”

Lamb Exports Still Trending Lower

November exports of U.S. lamb totaled 115 metric tons, down 64% from a year ago, while value fell 50% to $817,000. January-November exports were 18% below the previous year’s pace at 2,169 mt, while value was 17% lower at $11.5 million. Exports trended higher to Costa Rica, Guatemala, the Netherlands Antilles and Barbados, but these gains were offset by lower shipments to Mexico and Canada.

A detailed summary of the January-November export results for U.S. beef, pork and lamb, including marketspecific highlights, is available from the USMEF website.

NCBA Provides Internship Opportunities in Denver and D.C.

Launches New Internship for Producer Education and Sustainability

WASHINGTON (Jan. 22, 2024) – The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is providing multiple internship opportunities for students to learn about different aspects of the cattle industry. Internships are offered in NCBA’s offices in Denver, Colorado and Washington, D.C.

New this year, NCBA is launching a Producer Education and Sustainability Internship focused on implementing the cattle industry’s sustainability goals, supporting the Beef Checkoff funded Beef Quality Assurance program, and providing educational resources to cattle producers to improve land management, animal health, and profitability. The internship will occur summer 2024.

“We are excited to launch the Producer Education and Sustainability Internship as we expand NCBA’s educational offerings and increase our focus on cattle industry sustainability,” said NCBA Senior Executive Director of Producer Education and Sustainability Josh White. “This internship is a great opportunity for students to learn about the educational resources, research, and events that NCBA provides for cattle producers across the country.”

NCBA and the Public Lands Council (PLC) are also now accepting applications for the summer 2024 Public Policy Internship in Washington, D.C., occurring from

May 20 – Aug. 23, 2024.

“Interning at NCBA is the best way to get first-hand experience influencing public policy and defending America’s cattle producers,” said NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane. “Interns take an active role in NCBA’s day-to-day work and are critical for advancing the policy priorities of beef farmers and ranchers across the country. Interns leave the office with the skills necessary to be effective advocates for agriculture whether they are back home or in our nation’s capital.”

The internship provides students with the opportunity to work jointly with NCBA and PLC to advance policies important to the beef and sheep industries.

“The Public Lands Council represents a vital segment of the livestock industry, and our producers face a unique set of challenges,” said PLC Director Sigrid Johannes. “Interns are essential to the daily exchange of information between D.C. policy staff and the thousands of cattle and sheep ranchers who graze on federal lands. We are always working to keep Western public lands healthy and open for multiple use, and interns play an important role in highlighting the environmental, economic, and social benefits of grazing.”

The full description and qualifications for both internship opportunities are available on the careers page of ncba.org. Applications are due by Feb. 23, 2024.

Contact:

It’s Go Time

Cooper always says, “Never trade an old friend for new a new one.” He’s said it for as long as I’ve known him. As I begin my 22nd and he launches his 24th session, I’ve learned he is right.

New friends can be fun and exciting. Oftentimes they are a much-needed change of pace and introduce you to new ideas and new ways of thinking. Yet, can you count on them when things get uncomfortable or difficult?

Old friends are steady and predictable. You know how they will react, where they will be, and when you can count on them. Old friends are critical in our jobs.

As we walked into the capitol doors last month to kick off our first day of the 2024 legislative session, Cooper’s adage hit me hard. For over two decades, we’ve had the benefit of great relationships with old friends. That is changing and changing fast.

Governor Mike Parson is serving his last year as Missouri’s head of state. Senator JJ Rizzo is serving his final year as lead Senate Democrat. US Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer announced he won’t be running for reelection. Our friends are either term-limited or are term-limiting themselves.

The change is difficult. In some ways it may be better, in other ways maybe worse. Though, it always will be different. As for us, we will miss Governor Parson and Senator Rizzo when they leave Jefferson City. We will miss the familiarity we’ve shared for so many years. We will miss them as our friends.

This isn’t to take away anything from the newer elected officials working hard to be elected and reelected. We are so thankful for them. Old friends don’t become such without starting as new.

We are fortunate to have great people in the pipeline – new friends who have proven themselves to be steadfast when issues

get hot and pressure mounts. We are excited about the years ahead. MCA members should be excited about the years ahead.

While we appreciate and applaud the talent and investment our new friends have or are making, I did want to take a moment to simply say thank you to those who have been with us the past couple decades.

We are aware it hasn’t always been easy. We haven’t always been easy. Yet, you were honest, accessible to us and our MCA membership, and led this state with integrity.

This legislative session appears difficult if we describe it diplomatically. Seasoned leadership will be of utmost importance to navigate around legislative landmines that seem to be nearly everywhere. There is no question we will look toward our old friends Governor Mike Parson and Senate Minority Leader JJ Rizzo for guidance.

Someone once said, “Old friends are new friends with a history.” We agree and are beyond grateful for that history. Cheers to one last dance fellas, Nancy and Cooper

SALE REPORTS

Northeast Arkansas Angus Association Fall Sale

11.18.23 • Cord, Arkansas

21 Older Bulls

22 Yrlg.Bulls

43 Total Registered Bulls

23 Open Heifers

18 Bred Heifers

8 Bred

34

5

88

47

80

127

Gardiner Angus Ranch Early Bird Bull Sale 01.22.24 • Ashland, KS

85 Older Bulls

221 Yrlg.Bulls

306

SALE CALENDAR

Feb. 3 Loonan Stock Farm 45th Anniversary Production Sale, Corning, IA

Feb. 10 J&N Ranch Black Hereford

40th Production Sale, Leavenworth, KS

Feb. 17 Byergo Angus Sale, Savannah, MO

Feb. 17 Gilbert Cattle Co Sale, Oldfield, MO

Feb. 23 Jamison Herefords Bull Sale, Quinter, KS

Feb. 23-25 Western Farm Show, Kansas City, MO

Feb. 24 Galaxy Beef Sale, Macon, MO

Feb. 24 Missouri Angus Breeders Futurity Sale, Columbia, MO

Feb. 24 Seedstock Plus North Missouri Bull Sale, Kingsville, MO

Feb. 24 Post Rock Cattle Co. Bull & Female Sale, Barnard, KS

March 1 Express Ranches Spring Bull Sale, Yukon, OK

March 2 Mead Farms Spring Sale, Versailles, MO

March 2 Seedstock Plus Arkansas Bull & Female Sale, Hope, AR

March 2 Gibbs Farms Sale, Ranburne, AL

March 2 Moriando Farms & MM Cattle Co.

Spring Turn-Out Sale, Mt Vernon, MO

March 4 Buck Ridge Cattle Co. Sale, S eymour, MO

March 6 Bredemeier Angus Farms Annual P roduction Sale, Stella NE

March 9 H illtop Farms Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull & Female Sale, JRS, Carthage, MO

March 9 Sampson Annual Bull Sale, Kirksville, MO

March 9 Wright Charolais Bull Sale, Kearney, MO

March 9 Seedstock Plus Red Reward Bull & Female Sale, Osceola, MO

March 9 Soaring Eagle Farms Bull Sale, Springfield, MO

March 10 Flickerwood Angus Sale, Jackson MO

March 14 Henke Farms Sale, Salisbury, MO

March 15 Marshall & Fenner Farms Sale, Boonville, MO

March 16 Valley Oaks Spring Sale, Warsaw, MO

March 16 Falling Timber Farm Sale, Marthasville, MO

March 16 Brinkley Angus Ranch Sale, Green City, MO

March 16 E rtel Gelbvieh and Balancer Sale K irksville, MO

March 16 Express Honor Roll Sale, Yukon, OK

March 16 Mississippi Valley Angus Sale, Cuba, MO

March 16 Bradley Cattle Bull & Bred Female Sale, Springfield, MO

March 16 Windy Hill Charolais Open House, Cedar Hill, MO

March 16 Wild Indian Acres Annual Spring Bull Sale, Carthage, MO

March 16 Northeast Arkansas Angus Assn Spring Sale, Cord, Ark

March 17 Briarwood Angus Farms Spring Sale, Butler, MO

March 17 A pril Valley Farms Sale, L eavenworth, KS

March 18 Hinkle’s Prime Cut Angus Sale, Nevada, MO

March 22 Barrett Cattle Co. and Mill Brae Ranch Sa le, Maple Hill, KS

March 22 T Bar S Spring Sale, Billings, MO

March 23 Worthington Angus Sale, Dadeville, MO

March 23 8 Story Farms 4th Annual Production Sale, Gallatin, MO

March 23 3C Cattle Co Sale, Carrollton, MO

March 23 Seedstock Plus South Missouri Bull & Female Sale, Carthage, MO

March 25 S outhwest Missouri Performance Tested Bull Sale, Springfield, MO

March 25 Oleen Brothers Production Sale, D wight, KS

March 28 Sweiger Farms Bull Sale, Maysville, MO

April 1 Brockmere Sale, New Cambria, MO

April 4 Hunter Angus Show Heifer Sale, Fair Grove, MO

April 5 Meyer Cattle Co. Sale Bowling Green, MO

April 6 Four State Angus Association Sale Springfield, MO

April 6 Gardiner Angus Ranch Spring Production Sale, Ashland, KS

April 6 Peterson Farms Bull Sale, Mountain Grove, MO

April 9 Sydenstricker Influence Sale, New Cambria, MO

April 11 HeartBrand Cattle Spring Kick Off Sales Event, online

April 13 Lucas Cattle Co. Sale, Cross Timbers, MO

April 13 T he Power Sale, Mtn. Grove, MO

April 15 Jim D. Bellis Family Polled Hereford Production Sale, Aurora, MO

April 18-19 NextGen Cattle Co. Flint Hills Spring Classic Sale, Paxico, KS

April 20 New Day Genetics Sale, Salem, MO

April 20-22 JDH WagyuComplete and Total D ispersal Online Sale Event

April 27 Heart of the Ozarks Angus Sale, West Plains, MO

April 27 Cow Camp Ranch Turn Out Sale, L ost Springs, KS

April 28 M issouri Red Angus Association Sale, Springfield, MO

MBC Classified

The MBC Classified column appears monthly. Classified advertising is only 50¢ per word. Send your check with your ad to Missouri Beef Cattleman, P.O. Box 480977, Kansas City, MO 64148. Deadline 15th of month before an issue.

“REESE” DISC MOWERS, CADDY V-RAKES, “REESE” TUBE-LINE BALE WRAPPER, AITCHISON DRILLS, SELF-UNLOADING HAY TRAILERS, HEAVY DUTY BALE AND MINERAL FEEDERS, FEED BUNKS, BALE SPIKES, CONTINUOUS FENCING, COMPLETE CORRAL SYSTEMS, INSTALLATION AVAILABLE: Tigerco Distributing Co. 660-645-2212, 800-432-4020 or www.tigercoinc.com.

BLACK SIMMENTAL BULLS SINCE 1993: Calving Ease, Attractive, Athletic, Sound Footed and Docile. We Deliver. Mike Williams, Higginsville, 816-797-5450

SYCAMORE CREEK SIMANGUS BULLS & BRED HEIFERS FOR SALE. Great EPDs. Wayne and Anita Vanderwert -15 minutes from Columbia. 573-808-3000 or 303-506-3508

FOR SALE: Kenland Red Clover Seed - Clean, Bagged and Tested. 50 lb. per bag - 2.75 per lb. Carrier Farms, Rockwood, Missouri 417-232-4302 or 417-262-3080