February 2018 The Profit Picture by American Gelbvieh Association

February 2018 | www.GELBVIEH.org

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF BULL SELECTION

PASTURE TO PLATE WITH GELBVIEH GENETICS

DEMAND FOR GELBVIEH GENETICS TRENDING UPWARD

American Gelbvieh Association 350 Interlocken Blvd. Suite 200 Broomfield, CO 80021

Columbia MO Permit No. 353

PAID

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

GET TO KNOW YOUR COWS WITH SMART SELECT SERVICE $1 per head annually Available for any breed of cattle Access to knowledgeable staff

Gives genetic tools and herd reports to make sound breeding and management decisions Compares animals to the international multi-breed genetic evaluation, making the tools more accurate

We do the data management for you. AMERICAN GELBVIEH ASSOCIATION | 303-465-2333 | WWW.GELBVIEH.ORG

Cattlemen’s Connection

Your One-Call Convenience Semen Shipping Center

Remove the hassle from AI season by ordering all your semen from one place: Cattlemen's Connection. We take sire selection and customer service to a ew level!

Optimizer

Marshall

Capitol Hill

Marble Tender

Watchman

Cattlemen’s Connection

... Your connection to all available bulls in the Gelbvieh breed and all breeds − if we don’t have ‘em we can get ‘em.

HWe are the largest supplier of Gelbvieh & Balancer genetics (100+ Sires)H Unlimited supply of top Angus and Red Angus sires for your Balancer® needs.

New Trend

Buddy Boy

Profit Producer

Top Secret clone

Next Step

All Cattlemen’s Shipping and handling FREE on orders of 50 or more units. Connection the majority of our sires are r for ou AI Sires are y a d available to you at substantially disto Call 8 Semen ar tested FREE counted commercial prices. 201 Calend / for all known atalog C genetic defects. 35+ years AI expertise/25+ years traveling the Gelbvieh breed.

Commercial Producers:

Call Cattlemen’s Connection: 1-800-743-0026

Roger & Peggy Gatz • P.O. Box 156 • Hiawatha, KS 66434 • 785-742-3163

Multitool

Turn the Crank

Pay Day

Western Hauler

Extra Exposure

Visit our website: www.cattlemensconnection.com For a complete listing of AI Sires, their stats, DNA, pedigrees and EPDs

Contents NEWS

FEATURES Building Upon EPD Basics

Get the scoop on EPD basics from Megan Rolf, Ph.D., assistant professor of genetics and livestock genomics at Kansas State University. By Rebecca Mettler Over the Fence with Jeff Klein, Jumping Horse Ranch

Meet a Missouri native that fell in love with ranching in the West. Jumping Horse Ranch in Ennis, Montana, uses Gelbvieh genetics to infuse into their Angus based herd and swears by crossbreeding. By Angela Vesco The Ten Commandments of Bull Selection

Complete Coverage of the Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup. By Rebecca Mettler Be Reminded of Beef ’s Greatest Purpose

Complete Coverage of the Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup. By Rebecca Mettler Gelbvieh Through the Supply Chain

See how Gelbvieh genetics enhance the beef industry throughout the supply chain. By Angela Vesco, Megan Slater and Tom Strahm Genetic Selection vs. Visual Appraisal: Is it a Conundrum? By Megan Slater

Breeders Win Big During Second Annual Gelbvieh Carcass Contest

DNA Panel Updated for Gelbvieh-Influenced Commercial Females

Ken Thorstenson Inducted Posthumously into Gelbvieh Hall of Fame

Complete Coverage of the Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup. By Rebecca Mettler Cow-Calf Advice from a Feedyard Professional

Sindt Named American Gelbvieh Association Commercial Producer of the Year

REQUEST YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION The Profit Picture is the commercially-focused publication published February and September by the American Gelbvieh Association, focused on issues important to the commercial cow-calf producer. Sign up to receive your free subscription to The Profit Picture by subscribing online or completing this form and mailing to American Gelbvieh Association, attn: Profit Picture, 350 Interlocken Blvd., Suite 200, Broomfield, CO 80021. Comments and feedback welcome to lynnv@gelbvieh.org or 303-465-2333.

Name: ________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________ City, State, Zip: _________________________________ Subscribe online at www.gelbvieh.org/news/publications/ profit-picture/

2 | February 2018

Making the cowman kind... It’s the tradition

31st Annual Production Sale

February 24, 2018 • 1:00 PM CST • At the Ranch Top quality herd sires in this offering

Basin Payweight 1682

EGL Lifeline B101

AMAN 17038724

AMGV 1298079

SELLING: 65 Balancer Bulls 50 Angus Bulls 10 SimAngus Bulls 25 Balancer, Angus & SimAngus Open Heifers

Many sons of these Balancer Sires Sell! EGL Lifeline B101 BGGR Cohesion 5153C DJS Derringer 96X TAU Outright 162A Also many sons of these Angus Sires sell! SAV Resource 1441 Basin Payweight 1682 Coleman Charlo 0256 Game Day 449

Videos will be available mid-February Jeff Swanson

Ranch visitors always welcome!

308/991-0727 (C) • 308/337-2235 Fax 10908 724 Rd. • Oxford, NE 68967 swansoncattleco@yahoo.com www.swansoncattleco.com

Contents IN EVERY ISSUE

EDITORIAL

Places to Be

Getting on Board with Gelbvieh and Balancer By Scott Starr, AGA President

Spinning the Gelbvieh Flywheel By Myron Edelman, AGA Executive Director

Ad Index 94

Protecting Your Investment - Managing Your Bulls Right By Tom Strahm

BREEDERS CORNER SECTIONS

Strategies During Bull Sale Season are Important for Buyer and Seller By Grady Hammer, AGJA Director

350 Interlocken Blvd., Suite 200 Broomfield, CO 80021 Main phone: 303-465-2333 Fax: 303-465-2339 www.GELBVIEH.org info@gelbvieh.org Facebook: American Gelbvieh Association Instagram: americangelbvieh

ASSOCIATION STAFF Myron Edelman Executive Director myrone@gelbvieh.org (ex. 480) Megan Slater Director of Operations and Public Relations megans@gelbvieh.org (ex. 485) Angela Vesco Director of Breed Growth angelav@gelbvieh.org (ex. 484) Taylor Evans Member and Youth Programs Coordinator taylor@gelbvieh.org (ex. 481)

4 | February 2018

Lynn Valentine Gelbvieh Media Productions Coordinator/Graphic Design lynnv@gelbvieh.org (ex. 486) Rebecca Mettler Editorial Content Coordinator rebeccam@gelbvieh.org 940-255-5471 Tom Strahm Commercial Marketing Director tom@gelbvieh.org 785-547-7999 Kelsi Christian Mulitmedia Coordinator kelsi@gelbvieh.org (ex. 479)

Western Breeders

Southeast Breeders

Midwest Breeders

82-83

Upper Midwest Breeders

86-87

Northeast Breeders

Southern Breeders

Service Center

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Scott Starr, President (2016) Stapleton, NE • 308-530-3900 cedartopranch@gpcom.net John Carrel, Vice President (2017) Columbus, MT • 406-322-5991 lauriecarrel@live.com

Klint Sickler, Secretary (2017) Gladstone, ND • 701-483-5250 klintsickler@hotmail.com Walter Teeter, Treasurer (2017) Mt. Ulla, NC • 704-236-7980 waltert@republicrefrigeration.com

DIRECTORS Dustin Aherin (2018) Phillipsburg, KS • 785-302-1252 dgaherin@vet.k-state.edu

Dan McCarty (2018) Rifle, CO • 970-481-5217 mccartycattle@hotmail.com

Leland Clark (2017) Barnard, KS • 785-792-6244 prcc@twinvalley.net

Andrea Murray (2016) Kingfisher, OK • 405-368-9601 murrayfarm@pldi.net

Dennis Gustin (2016) Mandan, ND • 701-663-7266 gustindd@wildblue.net

Lowell Rogers (2018) Seminary, MS • 601-270-4152 lrdrsmiley@gmail.com

Doug Hughes (2017) Max Meadows, VA • 276-620-4271 lwhf@wiredog.com

Randy Sienknecht (2016) Gladbrook, IA • 319-290-3763 rmsink1209@msn.com

Jeff Loveless (2018) Spanish Fork, UT • 801-623-8308 olranch@aol.com

Jeff Swanson (2016) Oxford, NE • 308-290-3763 swansoncattleco@yahoo.com

Derek Martin (2018) Bucklin, KS • 620-397-6752 dmartin@kinsleyfeeders.com

KNOLL CREST’S

TOTAL PERFORMANCE BULL SALE H SATURDAY • APRIL 14, 2018 H Featuring

Serving the beef industry since 1944!

Bred Heifers 100 Bulls 85 Commercial

H ANGUS H

SIRES:

KCF Bennett Fortress KCF Bennett TheRock A473 Basin Payweight 1682 Plattemere Weigh Up K360 Thomas Baker Valley Montana Deep Well VAR Discovery 2240 GAR Sure Fire KCF Bennett Consent Y75 KCF Bennett Assertive

ANGUS Sale Bulls Average: CE

+10

DOC

+18 +0.74

+0.4

MARB

+68

REA

+0.57

+118

+69.36

MILK

+27

+146.77

KCF Bennett Fortress

KCF Bennett TheRock A473

H POLLED HEREFORDS H SIRES:

BEHM 100W Cuda 504C KCF Bennett Devout B716 KCF Bennett Provident B284 KCF Bennett Homeland C34 Gerber Anodyne 001A NJW 73S M326 Trust 100W Churchill Sensation 028X Hyalite On Target 936

KCF Bennett Assertive

KCF Bennett Citation

POLLED HEREFORD Sale Bulls Average:

MARB

+1.4 +0.54 +0.36

BMI INDEX

+$30

+6.7

+1.4

REA

+62

+102

MILK

+29

KCF Bennett Homeland C34

Montana Deep Well

H GELBVIEHS H SIRES:

KHR 33A VRT Sam U451

GELBVIEH Sale Bulls Average: CE

MILK

+30

+0.8

REA

+0.78

+83

MARB

-0.18

+120

FPI INDEX

+75.16

KCF Bennett Y6

KCF Bennett Provident B284

H BALANCERS H SIRES:

KCF Bennett B29 KCF Bennett Y6 KCF Bennett Y504 KCF Bennett Assertive

BALANCER Sale Bulls Average: CE

+15

MILK

+28

-1.3

REA

+0.65 +0.58

+77

MARB

+123

FPI INDEX +92.12

Nationwide Delivery Available 12 Month Unconditional Guarantee

KCF Bennett Y504

KCF Bennett Devout B716

James D. Bennett (434) 376-7299 Paul S. Bennett (434) 941-8245 Dalton G. Bennett (434) 664-7946

Every bull, of every breed, has genomically enhanced EPDs.

Serving the beef industry since 1944!

PO Box 117 Red House, VA 23963 Martha Johnson, Office Manager (434) 376-3567 • Fax (434) 376-7008 knollcrest@knollcrestfarm.com • www.knollcrestfarm.com

Jim G. Bennett (434) 664-7935 Brian R. Bennett (434) 664-8309 Scott R. Bennett (434) 660-7268

Feature

Building Upon EPD Basics By Rebecca Mettler

=G+E. That is the basic equation for an expected progeny difference (EPD) in its simplest form. Megan Rolf, Ph.D., assistant professor of genetics and livestock genomics at Kansas State University describes the equation as the phenotype (P) being the result of some combination of genetics (G) and environment (E). “An EPD is our way to look at the value of that animal as a parent for progeny in the next generation.” Ponder this: the actual value of an EPD doesn’t matter. Rolf explained that an EPD could be put on a scale of 3,000 or 10 and it wouldn’t matter. “What matters is the difference between the two EPD numbers because the difference is what we see in the progeny of those individuals if we mated them to the same group of animals,” Rolf said. “It’s all about relative performance instead of absolute value of the number.” EPDs have the most meaning when compared. Producers can compare one animals EPD to another animal, compare to the breed average, or compare to breed percentile ranking. All of those comparisons provide information of where that EPD falls in context to comparison and relative genetic merit.

and the performance data collected on the animal’s progeny. Contemporary grouping is the foundational idea behind EPDs that allows us to disseminate the data. “Contemporary grouping is the first step in trying to control and account for differences in management and environment to really hone in on the additive genetic merit of animals.” Contemporary groups start at birth and never get larger. Calves that are managed the same way are in the same contemporary group. For example, calves are separated by breeder, year, season, sex of calf, breed composition and any other management that will affect the calf at birth. Any management differences between birth and weaning can break down contemporary groups further; same goes from weaning to yearling age.

EPD Accuracy “Sometimes EPD accuracy can get ignored, but it’s an important number that I refer to as our risk-management tool,” Rolf said. “The EPDs help us make our selection and the accuracies tell us how confident or risky our selection decision is.”

EPDs are generated through a system called a national cattle evaluation (NCE). The goal of an NCE is to provide a way for genetic prediction and a fair comparison of animals on a national scale without the effects of environment getting in the way.

When EPDs are first calculated, the best estimate is half of the sire’s and half of the dam’s EPD. Then once performance and progeny information is added, the number deviates from the parental average and becomes more accurate in describing the individual.

“Take two animals from New Mexico and Minnesota; phenotype comparison outright wouldn’t be able to see the same performance from those two different environments. We are trying to take the environment piece out and look at the additive genetic merit of the individual.”

There’s also a third part to the equation, which is called Mendelian sampling. Mendelian sampling takes into account the sampling of alleles the animal actually received from sire and dam.

What goes into an EPD? There are three different sources of information that go into an EPD. The traditional EPD structure includes the pedigree information, the animal’s own performance data

6 | February 2018

For example, even groups of full sibling progeny and in people can exhibit a lot of differences. There are differences in height, weight, hair color, etc. Genetically distinct full siblings can be explained by Mendelian sampling, according to Rolf. To further explain Mendelian sampling, let’s name a

Cowman’s Kind

BULL AND FEMALE SALE

FEBRUARY 24, 2018 • 12:30 PM (CST)

Post Rock Cattle Company Sale Facility • Barnard, Kansas

110 BULLS SELL • 80 FEMALES SELL

Gelbvieh and Balancer® • Including all six year old cows.

535D

This year’s sale has several elite Homo Black, Homo Polled Purebred herd sire prospects selling, including this Astronaut x 7309T “ CARCASS COW “ son who has a 130 IMF, 101 REA ratio on ultra sound, and top 1% Marbling EPDs with below breed average BW and above average calving ease and growth .

530D

Homo Black, Homo Polled Purebred bull that has top 1% Marbling EPDs, and a 144 IMF and 112 REA ratio on ultra sound to back it up. Elite herd sire prospects out of the 7309T “CARCASS COW” both Balancer® and Purebred sell. This bull is stud bull quality on his own merits.

542D Tremendous ET son of Baldridge Waylon out of the legendary donor 223M2. He’s a Homo Black, Homo polled 50% Balancer® and has top 25% growth and Marbling EPDs and over a 17 inch actual ribeye on ultra sound. Take advantage of our aggressive ET program. Many ET bulls sell, including five flush brothers 294Z8 One of a kind donor for us.

Having produced both the 2016 and 2017 Supreme Champion Bred and Owned Females at the last two Jr. Nationals, in addition to three division winners in Denver. The only reason she sells is because we annually disperse every sound six year old as a sale feature. She’s a great one!

04Z2 Big stout and impressive daughter of 272n2 who’s been a donor for both Meadowlark, and now, Four Men Gelbvieh. Lots of great Gelbvieh genetics in this pedigree and she can produce at the top of the herd. Sale broadcast live online at www.liveauctions.tv

540D ET mating that brings together the top Marbling genetics of the Angus and Gelbvieh Breeds, and they sacrifice nothing to get it. He’s a Lone Star Advantage out of the 7309T “CARCASS COW” donor. He has top 10% CE, 20% BW, 20%WW, 10%YW, 1%MB, 20%REA. Homo Black, Homo Polled 50% Balancer®.

350Y8 Top producing Quality Focused daughter with 97BW,

LiveAuctions TV

103WW ratio’s in production. She comes from a long line of top producing females with her dam having 100BW, 111WW ratio’s at Post Rock.

3041 E. Hwy. 284, Barnard, KS 67418 Bill Clark: 785.792.6244 Leland Clark: 785.792.6208 Fax: 785.792.6250 • Email: prcc@twinvalley.net “Where calving ease, performance and eye-appeal come together.”

www.mms.bz SALE MANAGEMENT BY: Mitchell Marketing Service Chris Mitchell 334-695-1371 20180 NE Roy Golden Road Blountstown, FL 32424

Thought for the month... If Henry Ford would have asked the people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.

Feature

trait and establish a value of 40 representing the average EPD of the parents. Sex cells produced from the mating would have an average value of 40 for that specific trait. However, some gametes could be much higher and some would be much lower. Until data is received to determine if the animal received average, above average, or below average alleles for that specific trait, the EPD value would be a low accuracy, parental average EPD. “The EPD accuracy reflects how well we are at estimating Mendelian sampling.” Producers often ask how much data goes into increasing accuracy to a high level. The answer: highly heritable traits require a smaller number of records to influence the accuracy. Conversely, a larger number of records are required for lowly heritable traits. In other words, we need more data to build that accuracy. “If I’m turning in a carcass weight record with a heritability of .6, about 60 percent of what I’m turning in is additive genetic and the rest is something else,” Rolf said. “If I’m tuning in a record for heifer pregnancy, maybe 15 percent of what I’m turning in is additive genetics, the rest is management.” Cattle evaluation, technology, and the means to make selection decisions change with the passing of time. Models for genetic prediction have changed and probably the biggest change to the way data is collected on animals is the addition of genomic tools. “What is genomic testing? Essentially, it’s running

8 | February 2018

generally large panels of markers when talking about genetic prediction and including that data into the NCE.” The use of SNP panels identify useful markers and allow us to predict performance in traits that have an impact from an economic standpoint, according to Rolf. “When we have the genomic piece of information it’s like turning in a performance record or a progeny record. It’s another piece of data, thus the EPD changes and the accuracy increases.” When genomic data is incorporated into an EPD there’s still the three pieces of the original equation; the incorporation of genomics hasn’t changed the traditional data. Rather, genomics is simply another piece of data that allows us to determine the animal’s value at an earlier timeframe when compared to traditional data collection for traits such as carcass and longevity. Another question often received by the scientific community is related to the need for phenotypic data in the age of genomics. Rolf explains that phenotypic data is still absolutely critical. The industry is not near far enough along with genomic technology to do away with the collection of phenotypes. Plus, new evaluations for traits cannot be generated without phenotypic records. Bottom line, genomic tests help add accuracy and estimate the Mendelian sampling early in an animal’s life. Later on, the inclusion of progeny records then creates a high accuracy, low risk genetic package. FF

Over the Fence

with Jeff Klein, Ranch General Manager, Jumping Horse Ranch, Ennis, Montana By Angela Vesco

eff Klein has been the manager of Jumping Horse Ranch in Ennis, Montana, for the past 18 years. Jeff is originally from Missouri where he attended the University of Missouri in Columbia. After college, Jeff traveled west and fell in love with the ranching lifestyle and became the general manager of the Jumping Horse Ranch in 1999. The ranch sits right at the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park, which alludes to the beauty and ruggedness of the natural landscape.

have the maternal side, a lot of the other things come into place,â&#x20AC;? Klein said. The owners of the ranch wanted black cattle so they focused on purebred Gelbvieh bulls bred to Angus cows before Balancers were commercially available. Jeff likes how Balancer cattle complement the Angus cows with their milk and meat. He says that crossbreeding works well for them.

What is the production cycle? Jumping Horse Ranch is an exclusively forage-based operation, only supplementing salt and mineral. They have a 45-day breeding season. Jeff believes that the intense pressure on breeding leads to a more fertile and productive cowherd. As can be expected with such a short breeding season, Jeff says that the ranch produces an extremely uniform calf crop come sale time. They calve in February to target heavier calves by the first of October. The crossbreeding contributes a lot to that. Jeff says that they consistently wean off over 700-pound steer calves, which is done wholly on forage.

Talk about your selection criteria for females. Jeff places a lot of his selection pressure on the structure of the replacement heifer. In country where the cows have to travel long distances through rocks and

How did you find Gelbvieh and BalancerÂŽ genetics? Jumping Horse Ranch is a commercial cow-calf operation. They had tried many breeds and wanted to focus on the maternal side. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our feelings are that if you

10 | February 2018

mountains, the longevity and soundness of the female is critically important. Jeff provides the heifers with a 45 day breeding season with no exceptions; even if the kids’ 4-H heifer doesn’t breed back, she is sent down the road. He first selects his heifers on phenotype. Then he considers the heifers’ background, e.g., cow family. He says that has served them well since they have a lot of 12-year-old or older cows still in production. “We raise our own replacement females. They are super uniform; they work well and it is easy for us to keep our replacements and feel confident that when people come in to buy replacement females that they will work well.”

What are your priorities when selecting bulls?

Gelbvieh-influenced cows bring to the table udder quality, milking ability, muscle, and the hybrid vigor as a result of crossbreeding adds the extra pounds come sale day, according to Jeff.

What does the future of the operation look like? Jumping Horse Ranch plans to introduce electronic identification and more data collection in the future. Jeff would specifically like to take more individual data at weaning time. He would also like to focus on finding a smaller mature cow size and weight without negatively effecting the production of heavy weaned calves. Realizing the untapped potential for added revenue, Jeff wants to capitalize on earning a premium for the ranch’s heifer calves. FF

When selecting bulls, Jeff really puts a lot of emphasis on the seedstock producer. He looks for seedstock producers who raises their bulls like how he raises his cows. Jeff says that he looks for bulls that haven’t been pushed too hard; he also likes 18 months to 2-year-old bulls. When it comes to EPDs, he looks for a moderate birth weight; weaning weight is an important trait for them, but he doesn’t get too carried away with yearling weight because he likes to maintain his herd’s current moderate frame. Jeff also places a lot of focus on the maternal side of the bull and really looks at the cow families of the bulls he purchases.

The Profit Picture | 11

Editorial from the Board

Getting on Board with Gelbvieh and Balancer By Scott Starr, AGA President

s this edition hits your mailboxes, it is an exciting time for many producers in the beef business provided you included Gelbvieh or Balancer® genetics in your calf crop! If you did not then I’m sorry, you have not kept up with the demand the feeders are seeking with crossbred cattle over the once promoted popular straightbred Angus cattle. Feeders are searching for facts when looking to purchase profitable cattle instead of advertised and over promoted propaganda and social influence. The facts reveal that Gelbvieh-cross cattle excel at weaning weight and post-weaning growth, which are most certainly beneficial to the producer. Not to mention, Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle have superiority in fertility traits when compared to all other breeds of cattle. That’s right, ALL other breeds! As a breed, stayability, fertility and ability to stay in the front cycle of the calving season leave Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle unmatched. Many people like to brag about the weights their calves possess, but the number one component to profitability in any commercial operation is fertility. Producing a calf every year for many years always trumps one or two big ones and then DONE. Past the cow-calf level is where Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle are now gaining many accolades. Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle in the feedyard flat out feed all other contemporaries. Feed conversions are phenomenal and much of this is due to the many breeders that laid it on the line early and started testing for these traits before they were cool to the industry. Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle have always gained at the front of all cattle on feed, as well. Plus, dressing percentage has also been at the top of positive traits, which drives profitability when feeding cattle. Add these up and your cost of gain excels all cattle in a particular feedyard. The next exciting place Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle excel in is on the rail. All data compiled at the AGA and by many producers who feed their own, or customers’

12 | February 2018

cattle, suggest the cattle grade and yield better than the competition. Many closeouts have Balancer-influenced cattle grading over 90 percent Choice and above, and over 70 percent Yield Grade 1’s and 2’s. You simply can’t do this with most straight-bred cattle.

any closeouts have Balancerinfluenced cattle grading over 90 percent Choice and above, and over 70 percent Yield Grade 1’s and 2’s.

Another point I would like to make is a lot of this can be done without implants or growth promotants. Now I am not advocating for you to stop using implants, but in our operation we sell all-natural, never ever, non-hormone treated cattle (NHTC), and participate in the Global Animal Partnership (GAP) 5-Step Animal Welfare Program. Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle have enough gas in their tank to do it without implants and really excel in these types of programs. As our consumers continue to demand beef without hormones, the social influence will be there for all our producers to sell cattle that can still be profitable in the competitive worldwide beef industry. U.S. beef production is only 15 percent of worldwide production so we must continue to create a superior eating (niche) market to stay competitive on a global scale. Our niche here in the U.S. is high-quality beef. We have the resources and infrastructure to produce it better than any other place in the world. The final point to make is what I think makes all I have talked about prior to this happen. I am often asked why we raise Balancer and not other breeds. My answer

Editorial from the Board

always puzzles people because it’s not a black and white dollars issue that is easy to see. The answer is herd health! As many of you know, our ranch used to run several breeds and composites of each. After a winter storm followed by warm days and cold, wet nights our horses turned into calf roping horses really quick. After trying to figure out what can we do different next time to avoid this from happening again, we noticed we almost never doctored a Balancer calf. Roughly 68 percent of the calves that we did medicate were straightbred Angus, 27 percent SimAngus, 4 percent baldies of Hereford/Angus genetics, and the rest Balancer. I think a lot of this was due to vigor at birth. We used to score calves on how fast they got to a teat when we calved in February in a corral. Now, all heifers and cows calve in open range and I get really perturbed if I have to see one suckle. The Angus calves were quick to suckle, so what is the difference? The only difference I can think of is that it had to be the higher quality colostrum of the Balancer cows. I also want to add that I think you must have cattle that fit your environment. Selecting for cattle with too much growth

50 years of continual whole herd AI Over 35 years of Performance Testing

can be the most detrimental to herd health. If there are not enough nutrients available for maintenance there is certainly nothing left over for growth. Cattle that are undernourished enough to be lacking in maintenance requirements will always have more health issues when stressed, or during bad weather. So as we wanted to move to cattle that are more problem free and could qualify for the NHTC program we wanted to supply, it was very clear that it had to be Balancer. If you are a commercial producer and have not included Gelbvieh in your breeding program, I strongly encourage you to do so. The bull sale season is getting close! Find some breeders that have similar philosophies, analyze their bulls, and get some in your pastures. Call the AGA office (303) 465-2333 and ask for a membership directory to find breeders in your state and start looking to put your program on the track to sustained profitability. I always close with a quote so here it is, “Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from poor judgment.” FF

Performance cattle for the real World dedicated to Gelbvieh for over 45 Years

A nnual Production Sale – March 15, 2018 Western Livestock Auction • Great Falls, MT Offering 40 Bulls and 20 Heifers Red and Black • Purebred and Balancer

For your next herdsire or female purchase, look to Kicking Horse Ranch Kicking Horse Ranch

1285 Nine Mile Road

Olimont, Montana 59466

Jim & Kathy Bjorkman 406-937-4815

www.kickinghorseranch.com krankin@northerntel.net

George & Jeanette Rankin 406-937-3728

The Profit Picture | 13

Editorial from the Corner Office Spinning the Gelbvieh Flywheel By Myron Edelman, AGA Executive Director

he road to sustainable growth is substantiated by demand built over time through delivering a reliable product and furnishing an avenue for stakeholder success and ultimately profitability. “Greatness comes about by cumulative process—step by step, action by action, turn by turn of the flywheel—that adds up to sustained and spectacular results,” said Jim Collins, author of “Good to Great”. Relatively, sustaining the growth the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) has been enjoying for the last three years can be translated to building a strong foundation of programs and services for stakeholders that support the strengths of the proven Gelbvieh and Balancer®-influenced cattle. The cattle themselves are the basis for that initial turn of the flywheel. Those that have experienced Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics enjoy the maternal strengths of the Gelbvieh-influenced cow along with the breed complementarity of the Balancer animal that supports regulation of input costs alongside strengths that generate revenue in order to govern both sides of the profit equation. The moderate mature cow weight coupled with proven performance to a heavy end point is well documented by both the U.S Meat Animal Research Center and in real world production on ranches in every climate of the United States as well as through the feeding phase. The Association is also responsible for pushing to spin the flywheel in the right direction by supporting sound scientific selection tools and a registry with the capacity to store and report selection data in a useful form. Over the course of the last three years, the AGA has presented, on numerous occasions, the usability of the online registry that makes recording data, ordering DNA tests, extracting animal data for sales and selection and producing herd reports for the management of membership cowherds. Commercial bull customers have access to herd management through the AGA as well, with the Smart Select Service program. Producers,

14 | February 2018

regardless of size or breed makeup, can manage pasture groups, breeding records, vaccination records, etc., and even have some genetic tools available to them as well. The science that supports selection tools has come a long way. The EPDs used in the selection process have been enhanced to include genomics that increases the accuracy of those tools, verifies parentage, and can even be useful selecting for convenience traits such as horned/ polled verification. Every calf registered with the AGA now must have a sire with a minimum of a low-density DNA panel that produces molecular breeding values (MBVs) to be included into EPD calculation. Association benefits for Gelbvieh and Balancer stakeholders don’t stop with the registry and cowherd management. Commercial producers and feedyards alike benefit from programs such as Feeder Finder. This email alert is sent to feedyards when the AGA marketing staff is aware of lot loads of Gelbvieh and Balancerinfluenced cattle for sale in the country, on video auction, or in traditional sale barns. AGA’s marketing staff continually seeks out commercial producers to generate discussion about how the Association can be of assistance to those ranches and feeders. In fact, AGA staff had boots on the ground at more commercial bull customers’ operations than AGA members’ operations in 2017. The purpose behind that mentality is to further ensure a positive Gelbvieh and Balancer experience by networking to improve cattle marketing, location of genetics, and education of the tools available at the AGA. Commercial producers also have access to a new DNA panel called GGP-GV Heifer, to assist in replacement female selection on their respective operations. The GGP-GV Heifer panel tests and reports on eight economically relevant traits including stayability, calving ease and growth. The report generates an individual score and ranks the heifers tested to help identify potential problem animals

and increase the speed of genetic progress for those who capitalize on benefits of this tool. Further effort toward spinning the flywheel come from beneficial beef industry partnerships. This comes in the form of genetic improvement from the inclusion of Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle in the multi-breed genetic evaluation. Seven breeds are included in the largest genetic evaluation in the world; the benefit of that inclusion is an increase in the accuracy of selection data due to being evaluated with nearly 17 million animals within those seven breeds.Partnerships with video auctions and sale barns also benefit both the association and stakeholders alike.

The result of many efforts has set in motion expansion of the AGA as well as Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle. Every measurable area within the association has experience growth in the last three years. The cowherd inventory has gotten bigger and now includes over 42,000 active cows in the total herd reporting inventory. Additionally, AGA is off to a fast start this year; in fact, there is a 24 percent increase year to date over average of the last two years making this the largest first quarter on record since the inception of total herd reporting. Registration of calves from that active cow inventory

The Profit Picture | 15

Editorial from the Corner Office

utilizing Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics. The AGA is pleased to report a 10 percent increase in AGA membership at the end of the year. AGA members and their commercial bull customers are contributing to the momentum of the spinning Gelbvieh flywheel. Producers that have not yet experienced the benefits of Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics are encouraged to contact the AGA to learn more about the advantages of the cattle and the services the American Gelbvieh Association provides. FF

has increased to nearly 35,000 heifers and bulls registered with the largest percentage of registration to cow inventory of over 82 percent in 2017. The AGA membership has increased their efforts of transferring bulls sold to commercial ranchers and farmers. That transfer is the conduit for commercial cattlemen access to programs like Feeder Finder, Smart Select Service and the GGP-GV heifer panel. A continued increase in Gelbvieh mass will be supported by more producers

MLM GELBVIEH

OPEN HOUSE PRIVATE TREATY KICK-OFF SALE Monday, March 5, 2018 • At the Ranch

Selling: 30 Bulls • Gelbvieh & Balancer® • Red & Black • 100% Polled

Ultrasound Tested • DNA Tested and have GE EPDs • Fertility Tested • Negative BVD-PI3 Test • Satisfaction Guaranteed

Sires Represented:

Viewing at 11:00, Lunch at 12:00, Final Bids at 1:00

Gelbvieh Sires – Mr Impact, High Definition, Unanimous, Cartright, Post Rock F1 27A2, & Hart 35W34 Balancer Sires – Multitool Angus Sires – Basin Excitement, Haynes Outright, & Yon Future Force Red Angus Sire – LSF Couqueror, Andras New Direction, Feddes Oscar

All bulls are guaranteed Offering free feed and care until April 1

Post Rock F1 27A2 He has several sons selling!

MLM GELBVIEH Marlin Meyer

824 Road 3000 • Superior, NE 68978 402.879.4976 mlm68978@yahoo.com

Purebred Gelbvieh Half brothers sell!

16 | February 2018

Red Balancer Half brothers sell!

Videos available mid-February www.gelbviehbulls.com

Directions: The Open House will be held at the ranch at Superior, NE. From the 14/136 junction north of Superior, go 6 miles west on 136, then 1-1/4 miles north.

THORSTENSON’S Lazy TV Ranch

37th AnnuAl

PRODUCTION SALE SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2018 • AT THE RANCH – SELBY, SD

LAZY TV TANKER E125

DBL BLK • BA50 Tanker/Alumni/Outback • Adj. WW: 735/119 BW: 0.5 WW: 82 YW: 124 REA: 0.39 MB: 0.40

SELLING 200 BULLS 20 95 45 40

Gelbvieh-Influenced Black Balancer Bulls Red Balancer Bulls Black Angus Bulls

LAZY TV HARD DRIVE E235

RED • BA25 Hard Drive/X Factor/Second Class • Adj. WW: 761/114 BW: -2.2 WW: 84 YW: 128 REA: 0.39 MB: 0.27 Home of Maternal and Breed-Leading Genetics • Ranked #2 in the breed for Dams of Merit in 2017 • #1 and #2 most heavily used sires in the breed last year were bred and raised by Lazy TV Ranch Lazy TV Sam U451 and Lazy TV Watchman

2980 Cedar Rd, Selby, SD 57472

VAUGHN & WENDY 605-649-6262

BRIAN & DEDEE

605-649-9927 VWTHOR@SBTC.NET

BALANCERBULLS.COM Like us on Facebook at Lazy TV Ranch

LAZY TV iBULL E803

BLK • ANGUS iBull/Total Impact/Bismarck • Adj. WW: 765/122 BW: 2.7 WW: 77 YW: 126 REA: 0.71 MB: 0.09

CATALOG WILL BE POSTED AT WWW.BALANCERBULLS.COM AROUND FEB. 10.

• Feed-Efficency Tested • GE EPDs • First-Breeding Season Guarantee • Volume Discounts • Free Delivery View videos of sale bulls at DVAuction

News

Sindt Named Gelbvieh Association Commercial Producer of the Year

dam Sindt of Franklin, Nebraska, was honored as the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Commercial Producer of the Year during the awards banquet held at the 47th Annual American Gelbvieh Association National Convention in Wichita, Kansas. Sindt was joined by Aly, his wife, at the banquet. Stuart Jarvis of Bar Arrow Cattle Company, Phillipsburg, Kansas, presented Sindt with the award. The AGA Commercial Producer of the Year Award honors individuals who use Gelbvieh and BalancerÂŽ genetics in progressive commercial cattle operations and are proactive in their promotion of the Gelbvieh and Balancer breed. Sindt and his father, Steve, run approximately 450 head of commercial cows and feed out all of their own calves. In addition, they also raise corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. The operation started buying Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls five years ago to improve the performance of the calves out of their British-based cowherd.

goal is to raise cattle that perform well in the feedyard and on the rail. Because the operationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focus pinpoints feedyard performance and carcass quality traits, they choose to feed out all calves raised on the farm and purchase replacement females. The Sindts are one of the few producers in their area that finish out their own calves. This provides him with the information needed to make adjustments to his cowherd in order to make his calves more profitable in a feedyard setting. Adam also says that finishing out his own calves gives him a chance to market their grain through the cattle. Last year, the Sindts sold their home-raised cattle on the grid where they finished 92.5 percent Choice and Prime with 90 percent Yield Grade 1,2, and 3. Sindt says feeding out their own calves provides him with information needed to make adjustments to his cowherd in order to make his calves more profitable in the feedyard setting. FF

Sindt selects bulls based on terminal traits, as their

Photo caption (above): Stuart Jarvis (right), Phillipsburg, Kansas, presented the AGA Commercial Producer of the Year Award to Adam Sindt (left), Franklin, Nebraska. Photo caption (above): Sindt cattle graze during the summer 2017 on the south central Nebraska ranch.

18 | February 2018

Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup

The Ten Commandments of Bull Selection By Rebecca Mettler

onnell Brown, Beef Improvement Federation president and owner of R.A. Brown Ranch, Throckmorton, Texas, is a firm believer in the future of the beef industry.

2. Thou shalt not select cattle on looks alone.

“Ranching is a lot like faith. It’s not a lot about where you come from; it’s about where you are going.”

3. Thou shalt remember that beef production is a long-term venture.

Brown was one of the three speakers at the Third Annual Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup hosted by the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA), which was held during the 47th Annual AGA National Convention in Wichita, Kansas, in December 2017. He engaged the crowd in attendance with a witty, highly valuable, and thought-provoking presentation of what he would consider the Ten Commandments of Bull Selection. Brown’s commonsense attitude coupled with real-life ranching experience sheds light on the finer points of herd sire selection.

1. Thou shalt select bulls from operations that put the needs of the commercial cattlemen first. “I encourage you to find someone to buy your bulls from who loves the commercial customer with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Have that be their focus.”

Brown reminds producers that there are “mountains” of data to base selection decisions on, so use them wisely. “Not only should we not select on looks alone, but not any one single trait. We need to look at all economically relevant traits; those traits that affect profitability simultaneously.”

“The only thing short term in the beef industry is failure. Focus on the long term.” Brown’s challenge to cattle producers is to make sure they are focusing enough time and effort into genetic superiority that increases profitability and sustainability of the commercial cow.

4. Thou shalt work hard, really hard, six days a week to provide genetics and management to improve the profitability and sustainability of the commercial cattle business. Like many ranch kids, Brown relates a story of how he grew up sitting on a fence watching his dad sort cattle. However, his dad didn’t leave him sitting on the fence for long. As soon as he was old enough to read EPDs and long before he was a teenager, his dad had him sorting cattle based on their data. Brown, who is a natural-born storyteller, speaks of advice he received from an 80-year-old gentleman in his Sunday school class shortly after he graduated college. “He told me one day to, ‘Never let what you want

20 | February 2018

Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup

cause you to use bad judgment.’ That has applied to so many areas of my life: cattle, family, land, and business.”

5. Thou shalt use DNA to know thy father and thy mother. Brown believes that as an industry, we should use as many tools as we can to evaluate a bull’s genetics. “There’s a world of information out there, why not use it. The way I look at it, knowledge is kind of like toilet paper, when you need it you better have it!” Utilizing sound science is something he believes in very passionately. Making the best genetic decisions using science to identify and multiply beneficial traits within a cowherd should be a goal of each commercial cow-calf producer and seedstock producer, alike. “If we are going to err, err on the side of science.”

6. Thou shalt test bulls for all economically relevant traits while being developed for longevity. “If we could take all of our EPDs and all of our indexes and sorted them into a handful of economically relevant traits, what would they be?” Brown would consider calving ease and maternal (including milk, stayability, and mature cow weight) as two important factors to determine if a cow will fit a given environment. Growth traits that deal with the cost side of the production equation are important. Measurement of carcass traits, including yield grade, carcass weight, marbling, and ribeye are also essential to a profitable industry. “And, if there’s one more, what would it be? Your breed has done more to emphasize this economically relevant trait more than maybe any other: efficiency.” Measurement of efficiency can come in many different forms. Measurements like the efficiency of gain, efficiency of reproduction and all of the factors that affect the amount of output versus the amount of input.

6.5 Thou shalt use all sound science and technology that is affordably available. R.A. Brown Ranch now DNA tests all of their calves. Brown explained that wasn’t always the case because the price point was too high to be economically feasible. But, now since DNA testing prices have come down over the years they test every calf. DNA testing gives us one full calf crop of data to improve the accuracy of the prediction of the EPDs, with some traits offering a little higher boost and some offering lower, according to Brown. “But again, when I can get one calf crop’s worth of data on my cowherd’s stayability when that takes two lifetimes to get with a calf, why not get it even before she’s pregnant.”

7. Thou shalt not use bulls that mess up your cowherd. For several years there has been an enhanced selection emphasis on carcass traits. Results from increased selection pressure have improved carcass quality slightly with increased carcass weight and increased marbling, thus increasing carcass value. Pounds pay, and quality pounds pay, even more, stated Brown. “But, let’s make sure that we don’t do that at the expense of the cowherd of the guy that buys our bulls. That’s where he makes his money. That’s his factory. Don’t mess up his factory selecting for traits that may not enhance the return to the ranch of a cow-calf operation.” As a bull buyer, producers should demand traits such as fertility, structural soundness, docility, teat and udder quality, heifer pregnancy, and stayability.

8. Thou shalt produce bulls that the customer wants to buy. Brown and his family have raised 18 breeds and breed composites during their ranching pursuits. He has learned throughout their experiences that it is a lot easier to sell something that someone wants to buy. “It’s been a paradigm shift in our family in recent years, and it’s made marketing much easier. It doesn’t matter if it’s on the commercial side or the seedstock side. If I’m producing what the producer wants to buy,

The Profit Picture | 21

Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup

it makes it a whole lot easier on the business.”

9. Thou shalt buy bulls from breeds and breeders that do all things with honesty and integrity. Be the type of producer that you want to buy from. The moral of this story, according to Brown, is to surround yourself with people that you want to be like. That sounds like pretty reliable advice, wouldn’t you say? In business and personal life, the people that are around you can impact positively or negatively your thoughts and actions.

10. Thou shalt embrace crossbreeding. “Your breed is the breed that embraced planned crossbreeding systems, in my opinion, better than anyone else, along with the use of the hybrid bull.” When Brown was growing up, he remembers extension agents and other academia supporting crossbreeding with the use of crossbred cows, but not bulls. Purebred bulls were always suggested. Brown believes the reason for

the push toward purebred bulls was twofold. One reason was that they were the only ones with data and known pedigrees and secondly because purebred bulls where the bulls breeders had for sale. “There was the tradition and the misconception that purity was better, but sound science says that crossbreeding is recommended.” Brown relayed a story from his father’s time on the ranch in Throckmorton. R.A. (Rob) Brown Jr., Donnell’s father, was the first one in the family to graduate college. He came back with great ideas that he learned as he earned his degree in animal husbandry. However, initially, his father wasn’t receptive to the new ideas. After many discussions and years later, Rob and his father were able to come to an agreement on crossbreeding, which changed the landscape of the ranch and made a lasting impact on Rob, Donnell and the rest of the Brown legacy. “Heterosis is a wonderful thing. Please don’t vaccinate for it,” Donnell exclaimed. FF

Lone oak CattLe

Please join us Saturday March 17th, 2018 for our Sixth Annual Bull Sale. Bring your family and meet ours. Cattle available for viewing after 9:00 AM. Featuring Sons Of These Great Sires

ANGUS SIRES Haynes Outright Baldridge Commando Vision Unanimous RED ANGUS SIRES Jacobson Freedom LSFR Jubilation DVO Midnight Sun (Kodiak)

BALANCER SIRES EHE Trailblazer A24 TJB Gunner 307Z GELBVIEH SIRES Cornerstone 127A Vindicator B912

Offering 40 Yearling Bulls & 5 Fall Bulls

Videos posted early March at loneoakcattleiowa.com or Lone Oak Cattle Facebook.

Come early for Beef and Beans. Auction begins at 1:30. Moderate, Fertile, Performance Cattle! High Quality Balancer, Gelbvieh, and Hybrid Cattle

22 | February 2018

Special Feature

40+ productive young females. Opens, Breds, and Pairs.

LONE OAK C AT T L E

Eric & Heather Ehresman 20963 30th St. Mechanicsville, IA 52306 hornsandthorns@netins.net 319-480-1564

t Matter! ha T s ic et en G Combining COWBOY LOGIC and COMPREHENSIVE TESTING, Individual Feed Efficiency, LD DNA Tested, and Ultra Sound

Annual Bull Sale

APRIL 14TH, 2018 1:00 PM PDT Crater Ranch Headquarters Winslow, Arizona

t he mos Out of t Cow herd range proven ountry. in the C a calf in ow has Every C every year 45 days s gone. or she i

Free Delivery or $75 credit pick up at the ranch. Guaranteed sight-unseen purchases. Carcass ultrasound and fertility tested. Videos online March 30th.

• 50 BLACK AND RED ANGUS and high % ANGUS • 85 BALANCER • 60 SOUTHERN BALANCER (a touch of ear) • 10 GELBVIEH AND high % GELBVIEH • 75 Super calving-ease bulls ENTIRE OFFERING AVERAGES: TOP 20% OF THE BREED! Calving Ease Direct, Marbling and average daily gain. Top 30% for; For Preg 30: Residual Feed Intake and Efficiency Profit Index.

Bulls Developed on No Grain Ration.

Growsafe System at Crater Ranch, Winslow, AZ.

“A Culture Of Stewardship” Bob BBo ob and and Judy an Judy Jud Ju dy Prosser Prro oss sser sser er 92 928-289-2619 28 289 261199 • Cell: C ll 9928-380-5149 28 380 5149 Email: info@bartbar.com

News

Count the Ways Crossbreeding Pays By AGA Staff

ow more than ever, producers are trying to maximize outputs and herd performance all while reducing costs. Taking advantage of tools that allow for reduced costs and increased productivity and profitability is an essential worth to producers in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s industry. One tool that has been utilized in the beef industry for several years, and one that has evident value in beef production, is crossbreeding. Crossbreeding provides increased performance with minimal, if any additional costs to the producer. Through the practice of crossbreeding, heterosis (or hybrid vigor) and breed complementarity are achieved within the herd. Heterosis can be defined as the superiority in performance of the crossbred animal compared to the average of its straight-bred parents. When valuing heterosis, you essentially gain a dual advantage: individual heterosis and maternal heterosis. Individual heterosis results in an increase of calf survival to weaning, along with increased growth. Table 1 shows the increase in performance that can be achieved through individual heterosis. Through crossbreeding, calves have been seen to have a 3.9 percent increase in weaning weight and a 2.6 percent increase in average daily gain, all which translates to increased profits.

progeny. Improved fertility, increased calf survivability, greater cow longevity, and more pounds of calf produced are examples of maternal heterosis. As seen in Table 2, a crossbred cow has been shown to have a 16.2 percent increase in longevity and has proven to stay in the herd longer than a straight-bred cow. This table also reflects the increase in number of calves through a cowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lifetime as we all as additional pounds of cumulative weaning weight and more profit for the producer. The effects of heterosis are greatest for lifetime production with a 30 percent improvement, longevity or herd-life with a 15 percent increase, and annual income improvement from heterosis at 23 percent.

The crossbred female is really where crossbreeding pays off. Traits that are most influenced by heterosis are those traits with low heritability, such as fertility traits. Traits that are most affected by heterosis can be seen below in the table 3 below. Table 3. Traits

Similar to the definition of heterosis above, maternal heterosis is the advantage of a crossbred mother over the average of other purebred mothers. It refers to the combined improvement in traits from the dam that causes an increase in the performance of her and her

24 | February 2018

Fertility, Mothering Ability, Calf Survival Birth and weaning weight, milking ability, and feedlot gain Mature weight, carcass qualities

Heritability

Heterosis

Low

High

Medium

High

Low

Utilizing crossbreeding systems also allows for the opportunity to capitalize on breed complementarity. This is the assessment of strengths and weaknesses of each breed type and applying those that complement each other. Breed complementarity is one of the best ways to describe the benefits of Balancer® cattle. Balancer animals are 25 to 75 percent Gelbvieh with the balance of Angus or Red Angus. They combine the Gelbvieh growth, muscle, leanness, fertility, longevity and low yield grading ability with the carcass qualities of Angus to make an animal that meets today’s modern industry demands. Balancer hybrids offer a simple and powerful way to maintain hybrid vigor and the proper combination of British and Continental genetics in your cowherd in a straightforward and easy crossbreeding system.

REGISTERED GELBVIEH CATTLE

Our foundation is designed and built on 35 years of A.I. breeding.

REDS • BLACKS • PUREBRED • BALANCER

Your source for P.A.P. tested, calving ease and low birth weight EPD bulls! Selling February 23, 2018 in the “Pot of Gold” Gelbvieh & Balancer® Bull Sale

Gelbvieh are also an ideal fit for a crossbreeding program because of their superior maternal characteristics such as longevity and fertility. Gelbvieh females are known for reaching puberty at an earlier age and remaining in the herd longer. With these attributes, combined with performance gained through maternal heterosis, Gelbvieh-influenced cattle make the ideal female for any herd. So, why not reap the benefits of the heterosis advantage? FF

FEMALES AVAILABLE PRIVATE TREATY At Bow K Ranch we emphasize moderate size, quality udders, and built in calving ease. David & Dawn Bowman • Andrew & Sarah Bowman 55784 Holly Rd. • Olathe, CO 81425 • (970) 323-6833 •

WWW.BOWKRANCH.COM The Profit Picture | 25

Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup

Cow-Calf Advice from a Feedyard Professional By Rebecca Mettler

he beef business is a tough business. The reality that producers face is one of ups and downs and never-ending volatility. But in the midst of all that, producers make it work. It’s the evaluation of what works and what doesn’t that has kept Kevin Unger, Lincoln Country Feedyard and Leachman Cattle Company of Colorado, thinking during his extensive career in the feedyard business. After growing up in the ‘70s and ‘80s and seeing a lot of farmers and ranchers go out of business, Unger has always been cognizant of what differentiates success and failure in the beef industry. “This is the commodity business. It’s a net sub-zero business,” Unger said. “On average, that’s where we sit whether you are a feedlot, packing plant, cow-calf operation and probably even a seedstock operation. As an industry we are not profitable.” Keeping the net sum-zero logic in mind, Unger asked the group at the Third Annual Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup, held in conjunction with the 47th Annual American Gelbvieh Association National Convention, what drives profit in a cattle operation.

26 | February 2018

Unger’s experiences have opened his eyes to what works and doesn’t work on the ranch, in the feedyard, and on the rail. He’s fully aware that, in reality, the top 20 percent of producers in any entity are highly profitable and hardly dip into the negative. On the other hand, the bottom 20 percent hardly go above a profitable index. The basis of profitability on a cow-calf operation can be summed up in one simple calculation: figuring the pounds weaned per cow exposed. While a producer can go much further in deciphering the onthe-ranch profitability, that’s where it all starts. A study conducted from 2003 to 2017 dove into the pounds weaned side of the equation and reported that most cow-calf producers select for pounds weaned. However, average weaning weights in 2003 were 558 and 554 in 2017, according to Unger. Genetically the industry has experienced a rise in growth rates, but on a commercial herd basis, the move upward hasn’t been as big as on the seedstock side, which probably has a lot to do with the effect of environment. “If the seedstock sector is producing bulls with a lot more growth in them and the commercial sector is staying stagnant, who’s getting the benefit of the growth? The feedyard side says, ‘Thank you!’ The growth is coming into our hands, and not coming into their hands.” So what should seedstock producers be focusing on to provide the commercial cattle producer with more value for their purchase of superior beef genetics? Build a bull that can pass along efficiency to the commercial cowherd. “Make that cow very efficienct on the ranch and then become one heck of a marketer to figure out how to market the genetic advantages of those animals to the feedyard.” Unger explained that at Decatur County Feedyard, where he spent several years as manager, he used to tell

Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup

producers that there was a $300 range in value of calves on any given ranch. However, times have now changed. “That number keeps getting bigger. Everybody thinks we are making cattle better and better and we are, but cattle keep getting differentiated more and more every year.” Data gathered at Decatur also established that feed efficiency accounted for 43 percent of the profitability in the feedyard scenario.

“Any feedyard guy will tell you that feed conversion is important. That’s why a manager is so anal with his guys, because anytime they can pull a tenth off of feed conversion, they are making money.” Another revelation that the data alluded to is the fact that there is a vast difference in the genetic makeup between cattle. By finding out the base value of their calves, Unger could then help his customers find genetic inputs to improve their calves’ feedyard performance. Weight, particularly hot carcass weight, is also an important trait that impacts profitability at the feedyard level. “Pounds still drive the engine,” Unger exclaimed. The impact that animal health has on the profitability of a feedyard is one factor that is difficult to extrapolate. Animal health can have an allencompassing effect on each and every profit driver if not in order. Unger is very eager for the future of cattle feeding and believes that DNA will start having a larger impact on the business.

Unger referenced a 2004 research article by John A. Basarab, and said a 5 percent improvement in feed efficiency has an economic impact four times greater than a 5 percent improvement in average daily gain. “A 10 percent improvement in feed efficiency can create a 43 percent increase in profit and a 10 percent improvement in average daily gain creates 18 percent increase in profit.” That’s a serious bit of uncovered information. In order to select for more efficient animals, the customers that Unger works with have been utilizing selection indexes to intensely manage their genetic inputs. While the beef industry is far behind other livestock groups such as poultry, swine and the dairy industry, beef producers are finding their way to utilizing indexes to improve genetic progress. “If we can identify a bull in the top 1 percent of our industry, in one generation we can move the mean of the equivalent of 15 years progress in one cross.” Statements like that get Unger fired up for the future of cattle feeding. Selecting for improved efficiency relays the message to the commercial cow-calf producer that the seedstock producer can give them more weaning weight, more yearling weight, less birth weight and more marbling and ribeye, all while keeping costs down. “If we are going to help our customers we need to be high output and low cost; that ought to be our goal.” Unger said. “ That’s the most bang for our buck and we can use an index to help us do that.” FF

“DNA is starting to see high potential to begin predicting animal health and genetics, also. We’re very excited about that!” Unger, and the companies that he works for, run under the philosophy: “If you can measure it, you can define it. If you can define it, you can select for it, and then if you can select for it, then you can change it.” Measuring and selecting for feed efficiency is something that Unger has been doing for his customers for over a decade. They have been selecting for low intake, highly efficient cattle and have succeeded over the years in bringing down dry matter intake and thus increasing efficiency.

The Profit Picture | 27

Staff Editorial

Protecting Your Investment - Managing Your Bulls Right By Tom Strahm

he spring bull buying season is in full swing. Selecting high quality, registered Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls is a great choice for your commercial breeding program! Purchasing superior genetics is a substantial commitment for cow-calf operations and it’s worth the investment when you consider the genetic impact that will be made on your herd for several generations. Protect your investment by properly managing your bulls before turnout time. Don’t forget about, or overlook your bulls when they’re not with the cows. Proactively evaluate and manage your bulls as well as you do the cows. Bulls that are physically fit, sound on their feet and legs, and in appropriate body condition are more likely to breed more cows in the early part of the breeding season. Many producers buy yearling bulls. Even though they

YJMR

IRON HORSE A16

looked great at the sale, or when they arrived at your place, remember that they have a lot of growing and developing to do yet. Getting your newly purchased bulls delivered to your farm or ranch a couple of months before turnout if possible will be advantageous for continuing proper bull development. Providing a higher level of care for young bulls than the existing bull battery can help make the first breeding season more successful, and increase the useful life of your young bulls. One of the common complaints is that these young bulls can get so run down in their first breeding season. This risk can be mitigated, and weight loss potentially reduced or minimized through good nutritional management from the time of purchase until the bulls are turned out with the cows. If the bulls are over conditioned, don’t neglect

His progeny sell at 27th Annual

February 23, 2018 • Montrose, CO

AMGV 1246707 • BA75% • 03-03-2013 Homo Black • Homo Polled • PAP score of 36 Semen available through Bull Barn Genetics 1-800-535-6173 CED BW WW YW 13 -0.9 74 115

MK 27

TM 64

28 | February 2018

CEM HP PG30 10 15.84 -1.97

ST 3

DMI YG CW 0.01 -0.42 36

REA MB $COW FPI EPI 0.53 0.11 61.36 79.38 110.48

Look for our donor cow MCFG 219X x Lifeline son selling at the Pot of Gold Sale

YJ Mountain Ranch Gary & Susan Carlisle Redmond, UT • 435-979-0020

them, or take weight off too fast, which can be detrimental. Getting these bulls toned up but continuing to meet their nutritional requirements is critical to their performance in the pasture and their longevity. Feeding high quality forage is extremely important. Work with a nutritionist to formulate a properly balanced ration to keep these young bulls growing at a rate of approximately 2 pounds a day. The cost of a nutritionist, and supplemental feed as needed, will be money well spent compared to the cost in lost productivity of under-performing bulls. This is also a good opportunity to look at the bulls you currently have on inventory. If you have any thin, or under conditioned bulls, now is the time to provide them some extra groceries as well. As a guideline and general recommendation, all bulls should exhibit a body condition score of 5-6 before being turned out with cows for the season. Exercise is very important during this time prior to turnout. Bulls should be kept in large enough areas so that they can get out and travel. Exercise will improve their physical fitness, and help maintain desirable body condition. All yearling bulls should have a thorough and complete

Staff Editorial

breeding soundness exam (BSE). It is a good practice to have a BSE completed on all the bulls before turn out. The cost of doing a BSE is cheap insurance compared to the cost of lost production by turning out a sterile bull, or one with low fertility. Bulls should be evaluated for being healthy, structurally sound and in overall good physical condition. A physical examination of the external and internal reproductive organs should be conducted as well as a semen evaluation. Implement an annual immunization program. Vaccinate bulls against respiratory diseases, 7-way clostridials, and lepto/ vibrio. In addition, bulls should be treated for external and internal parasites. If you haven’t done so already, establish good relationships with a veterinarian and consulting nutritionist. Protect your investment in bulls with a good comprehensive maintenance program. This will help prepare your bulls for a more productive breeding season. They can get more cows bred on the first heat cycle when they’re fit and feeling good. You’ll receive the dividends of producing more pounds to sell! FF

2nd Annual Production Sale February 24, 2018 Squeakin’ By-LK Farms Gelbvieh ~ Balancer “Solid Genetics; Solid Future” Featuring: (Red & Black) ¨ 16 Gelbvieh & Balancer virgin yearling & 18-month old bulls; DNA tested and semen tested; 90 day breeding guarantee ¨ 13 Gelbvieh & Balancer heifers (open yearling & bred 1st calf heifers) ¨ 9 commercial Gelbvieh influenced open yearling heifers

Bidding opens at 7:00am on February 23, 2018 and closes on February 24, 2018 at 7:00pm; View sale lots and bid at DVauction.com Visitors are always welcome; come check us out!

Kyle & Lori Kuker 64636 719 RD Shubert, NE 68437 402-883-2366 Lori: 402-883-7246 Kyle: 402-245-7512 www.sqblkfarms.com sqblkfarms@gmail.com Facebook.com/sqblkfarms

The Profit Picture | 29

Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup

Be Reminded of Beef’s Greatest Purpose By Rebecca Mettler

hy do we raise cattle here in the U.S.? What’s the goal? Why do we fight the battle against animal rights organizations and political agendas? Furthermore, why does it all matter? Once we strip away all the whys, hows and the why nots, we see the truth; the beef industry’s ultimate goal is to succeed in feeding a growing world population a safe, wholesome, and nutritious beef product. It’s that simple.

To kick off the Third Annual Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup, held in conjunction with the 47th Annual American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) National Convention, Myron Edelman, AGA executive director, spoke to attendees regarding the overall global landscape of beef production.

Bull Barn Genetics

For all your AI needs:

“If we look at the world population in 1970, when I was born, to the projection in the next decade, we will see the world population double,” Edelman said. “As a kid, I remember them telling us that we would have to find innovative ways to feed the world.” The beef industry answered the call wholeheartedly back then and continues to do so today. The industry keeps coming up with innovative ways to produce more beef, and the U.S. is leading the charge. While the U.S. only produces just shy of 20 percent of the world’s beef supply, we do so the most efficiently. “We are almost a niche market. No other country produces the quality of beef that we produce; you could say that we are producing the best beef in the world,” Edelman said. The U.S. has managed to produce such large amounts of beef in the past several years while building back up the nation’s cowherd by increasing carcass weight. “Genetic selection has allowed for that in the last several years. Signals are being asked for extra carcass weight in the last 16 years. In 2000, the average carcass weight was just less than 800 pounds. In 2015 it topped out at 880.” Where do Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics fit into the picture of a modern beef industry? Commercial cowcalf producers who retain ownership in the feedyard and feedyard operators have reported on the ability of Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced calves to succeed at heavier weights.

• Gelbvieh

• Salers

• Angus

• Shorthorn

• Red Angus

• Dairy

• Simmental

• Charolais

• Club Calf

• Hereford

• • • • • •

Sheaths Gloves Cito Thaw Units Tanks A.I. Kits Arm Service

Eldon & Kathy Starr

210 Starr Dr • Stapleton, NE 69163 bullbarn@bullbarn.com • 800-535-6173 www.bullbarn.com

30 | February 2018

Gelbvieh has also decreased birth weight and improved calving ease through genetic selection. The AGA tracks genetic trends pertaining to each important trait category. As stated above, the genetic trend for carcass weight has increased. Marbling is also one trait that Gelbvieh breeders have worked hard to improve over the years.

Cattlemen’s Profit Roundup

Genetic Selection Matters

Edelman gave the blunt reminder that bulls chosen to input into the herd have a dramatic impact for an extended period. “With the composition of the herd, 87 percent of it is the contributions of the last three herd sires we’ve had,” Edelman explained. “When we think about it that way, our sire selection becomes very important and the genetic decisions that we make matter when we go to the bull sale.” The impact of genetic decisions is long lasting. And, on top of that, sometimes it takes a long time to see the weight of the decisions that are made. “We don’t know what those progenies are going to look like hanging in the cooler until three years from now.” Or, how particular females perform once in production. Even if the female only lasts to the national average of 6 years of age, that’s a lot of impact on the herd for an extended period. The AGA recognizes the importance of genetic selection and has implemented some changes and additions to the breed improvement services provided to commercial customers and seedstock producers. These improvements help strengthen the accuracy and amount of data collected on both registered and commercial cowherds.

Edelman also mentioned another technology tool designed especially for the commercial producer: the GGP-GV Heifer panel, which is an ultra-low density DNA test to aid in replacement female selection. “Before the update, the DNA test was pretty simple with growth and carcass. Now we are getting with the addition of the BOLT stayability, reports and ranking animals based on stayability, calving ease, mature weight, tenderness, marbling and post-weaning gain.” Technological advances and additional services such as these are what the AGA strives to continue to offer both seedstock producers and ultimately, their commercial customers. A successful U.S. beef industry is dependent upon the connections made, relationships built and information passed between each sector of the industry. And, by all means, let’s continue to develop innovative ways to produce more beef, more efficiently: it’s what the U.S. does best. FF

PACKED WITH POWER

“As a rancher, beef producer, breed association, or seedstock supplier, the decisions that we make last 10 to 15 years, so it’s important to know that those are the right decisions,” Edelman said. The stayability (ST) expected progeny difference (EPD) model was recently updated, which now more accurately describes the ability of a female to stay in the registered herd. The AGA has also provided an avenue for advanced data collection with the ability to track the genetic change in an individual’s commercial herd. The Smart Select Service, a data management system is built primarily for the commercial producer to identify strengths and weakness in their cows to make breeding decisions for genetic improvement. “We can recognize what bulls are working for them and which ones are not.”

HART Efficient 125A41 AMGV1259621 • PB88 BD: 10-10-2013 • BW: 63 • Adj. WW: 505 Adj. YW: 966 Sire: JDPD Astro 407S MGS: HFGC HF Roscoe 34P59 ET Semen available through Bull Barn Genetics 800-535-6173 Bob & Mary Bleser Falcon, MO 417.532.2927

CED BW WW YW MK TM CEM HP PG30 ST YG CW REA MB $COW FPI EPI

12 -0.2 70 101 21 56 5 8.30 0.08 8 -0.42 29 0.27 -0.09 79.28 69.68 94.70

15% 25% 35% 30%

10% 35% 40% 25% 20% 25%

Quality genetics with real world value! The Profit Picture | 31

News

Breeders Win Big During Second Annual Gelbvieh Carcass Contest

esults of the Second Annual American Gelbvieh Foundation (AGF) Steer Challenge and Scale and Rail Sire-Identified Carcass Contest were announced during the 47th Annual American Gelbvieh Association National Convention awards banquet on Saturday, December 9, 2017. The AGF continues to advance the Gelbvieh breed through its support of research and development. For this reason, the AGF launched the Steer Challenge and Scale and Rail SireIdentified Carcass Contest in 2016. These two projects provide the information and funds necessary to generate datasets to advance Gelbvieh and Balancer® carcass merit. The AGF Steer Challenge was a competition amongst individual Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced steers in which the judging criteria focused on average daily gain in the feedyard, carcass value and overall top value animal, which combined average daily gain and carcass value. The Steer Challenge gives an opportunity for participants to donate a steer to the AGF. All proceeds from the donation go toward research and development within the Gelbvieh breed. The AGF Sire-Identified Carcass Contest judges steers, which were in a group of three or more animals from the same contemporary group, on these same qualities and also awarded a top-performing pen. In its second year, ten ranches participated with a total of 103 head on feed at Roode Feedyard in Fairbury, Nebraska. All steers were harvested and values were calculated in July 2017. Flying H Genetics, Arapahoe, Nebraska, placed high in both the AGF Steer Challenge and Balancer division of the Scale and Rail Contest and took home a total of $3,725 in prize payouts. Flying H Genetics’ winning steer, a Balancer, in the AGF Steer Challenge swept the division taking home top average daily gain, top carcass value, and top value animal. The same steer also took home top accolades in the Balancer division of the Scale and Rail Contest including highest average daily gain at 5.93 pounds per day, top carcass value at $1,179 with a 1,118 pound hot carcass weight and a 17.10 square inch ribeye. This steer also took home top value Balancer animal with a value of $1,185, USDA Yield Grade 3 USDA Choice. Flying H Genetics also owned the champion pen of Balancer steers with an average value of $1,119, average USDA

34 | February 2018

Yield Grade 3 and quality grade of USDA Choice. Flying H Genetics owned the steer that took second place for average daily gain in the Balancer division. This Red Angus-sired Balancer steer had an average daily gain of 5.75 pounds/day. Eagle Pass Ranch, Highmore, South Dakota, owned the steer which took second place for top carcass in the Balancer division with a carcass value of $1,124, hot carcass weight of 1,049 pounds, and a 13.5 square inch ribeye. This same steer also placed second for top value animal with a total value of $1,129, USDA Yield Grade 3 and quality grade of USDA Choice. This steer was sired by EGL Barrett B050. Eagle Pass Ranch also owned the reserve champion pen of Balancer steers with an average value of $1,083, average USDA Yield Grade of 3, and average quality grade of USDA Choice. In the Gelbvieh division, CKS Gelbvieh, Collins, Iowa, was a notable winner owning the steer for top average daily gain, top carcass and top value steer as well as champion pen and taking home $2,175 in prize payouts. CKS Gelbvieh’s top carcass steer had a carcass value of $1,151, a hot carcass weight of 1,089 pounds, and a ribeye area of 14 square inches. It also was a USDA Yield Grade 3, and quality grade of USDA Choice. This steer’s total value was the highest in the Gelbvieh division at $1,156 and was sired by BNC At Ease A357. CKS Gelbvieh also owned the champion pen of Gelbvieh steers with the average value of the pen being $1,126, average USDA Yield Grade 4.0 and average quality grade of USDA Choice. CKS Gelbvieh also owned the steer that took second place for top carcass in the Gelbvieh division with a carcass value of $1,125, hot carcass weight of 1,067 pounds, and a 17 square inch ribeye. This same steer also placed second for top value animal with a total value of $1,130, USDA Yield Grade 3 and quality grade of USDA Choice. This steer was sired by DCH Hille X102. Blackhawk Cattle Co., Oregon, Illinois, owned the reserve champion pen of Gelbvieh steers with an average value of $1,105, average USDA Yield Grade 3, and average quality grade of USDA Choice+. To view full results, including all steers close-out data, please visit the projects page under the Foundation section of www.gelbvieh.org. FF

28th Annual Production Sale

Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.

at Bar Arrow Cattle Company, North of Phillipsburg, Kansas

featuring Performance, Maternal, Carcass & Docility Selling 80 Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls 20 Gelbvieh & Balancer Fancy Open heifers ® ®

Lot 75 • BAG 25EA

Lot 64 • BAG 147E

Sire: IVERS Cinch C7 ET BW: 0.7 WW: 70 YW: 87 MLK: 27 Lead off Bull in the Pen of 3 Balancers at Denver

Sire: TAU Mr Grid Topper 43T 21B BW: 0.1 WW: 68 YW: 100 MLK: 20 Lead off Bull in the Pen of 5 Balancers at Denver

Lot 4 • BAG 44EA

Lot 29 • BAG 44E

Sire: CTR Sandhills 0065X BW: 2.4 WW: 70 YW: 95 MLK: 21 24 Sandhills brothers selling!

Sire: BAG Storm 27C BW: -3.5 WW: 72 YW: 111 MLK: 29 18 Storm brothers selling!

For sale book or video, call or email Stuart or go online to www.bararrowcattlecompany.com

Stuart Jarvis

26 E. Limestone Rd. • Phillipsburg, KS 67661 e-mail: bararrow@ruraltel.net • 785/543-5177

In the Feedyard

On the Ranch

Gelbvieh Through the Supply Chain By Angela Vesco, Megan Slater and Tom Strahm

elbvieh and BalancerÂŽ cattle help feed the world. Not only are the cows profit drivers at the ranch, but they convert at the bunk and they grade on the rail. At the end of the day, the goal of the beef industry is to produce a product that consumers can enjoy during a nutritious dinner at the family table. It requires many different factors to get a product to the consumer. Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle are more in demand and are fulfilling their role in producing a good product for the consumer.

Animal Research Center. More and more producers are looking for replacement females that have Gelbvieh genetics because of the maternal advantages. Kurt Johnson, cow-calf producer from north central Nebraska ranks maternal ability, fertility, and longevity as extremely important traits. After Johnson sorts off his favorite heifers for replacements, he markets the remaining heifers as feeders at the local sale barn, but most of those heifers are bought as replacements by other commercial producers. The females in Johnsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s herd raise fast growing calves that, once weaned, are ready to go to the feedyard and convert feed to beef.

On the Ranch In the Feedyard The number one factor that impacts profitability on the ranch, is the fertility of the cow. Without a calf each year, that cow costs the rancher money. The Gelbvieh cow is a solution to that problem. Fertility is one of the most valued traits in the Gelbvieh cow. When commercial Gelbvieh and Balancer producers are talking about their cowherd and why they stay with those genetics, a large majority of producers cite exceptional cowherd fertility as a standout trait. Gelbvieh cows are also known for their stayability. Stayability refers to the reproductive longevity of a cow. Gelbvieh cows breed back year after year and wean off a good size calf. Another major factor that impacts a commercial producers bottom line is the efficiency of the cow. The Gelbvieh cow is known for her moderate mature size weaning off heavy calves. Gelbvieh ranks number 1 for smallest mature cow size and are the earliest to mature of the seven major beef breeds according to U.S. Meat

36 | February 2018

Improve the feeding performance of your cattle by utilizing Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics in a crossbreeding program. Crossbreeding with Gelbvieh and Balancer can increase the rate of gain, and improve feed conversion. Gelbvieh-influenced cattle excel at weaning weight, and at post-weaning growth as well. Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle perform very well in the feedyard. Producers who have retained ownership of their cattle through the finishing phase, often report average daily gains of 3.5 pounds/head/day, or even higher. Feedlot operators who have purchased Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced feeder cattle have also experienced similar performance.

In the Feedyard

On the Ranch

“T

he Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls have improved the consistency and uniformity of our calves. We like the growth, performance, and disposition of the Balancer calves.” Adam Sindt, R&J Farms 2017 AGA Commercial Producer of the Year

Steers in the 2017 AGA Scale and Rail contest had an average daily gain of 4 pounds/head/day in the feedyard. Feed efficiency is a major profit driver in beef cattle production and, especially in the cattle feeding/finishing sector. Gelbvieh-influenced cattle excel in the area of feed conversion. Decreasing the amount of feed needed to produce more pounds of saleable product increases your profit potential.

38 | February 2018

“G

elbvieh-influenced cattle provide added carcass weight. At the end of the day we’re still paid on pounds. They also add ribeye, more gaining ability, and feed efficiency. All things that are highly valuable.” Bill Tucker, Tucker Family Farms

On the Rail

On the Plate

retail product. According to the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center progress report #22, Gelbvieh rank #1 for percent retail product.

On the Rail

Not only do Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle perform well in the feedyard with increased efficiency and growth, Balancer cattle make the grade and deliver the value on the rail. Many feeders have reported Balancer-sired cattle that grade 90 percent Choice or better. In today’s marketplace where higher quality grades yield a premium, Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced cattle meet those modern industry demands. In addition to quality grade, Gelbvieh and Balancerinfluenced cattle have been proven to excel in percent

In 2016, the American Gelbvieh Foundation launched its first annual Steer Challenge and Scale and Rail SireIdentified Carcass Contest, which helps to provide information necessary to advance Gelbvieh and Balancer carcass merit. A total of 103 head participated in the 2017 contest and all head were harvested in July 2017. These cattle graded 85 percent Choice or better, with 91 percent of the cattle finishing Yield Grade 1, 2, or 3. These cattle also had an average dressing percentage of 64.42 percent. The AGA is committed to continually strengthening Gelbvieh and Balancer carcass value on the rail by providing producers with FPI™, which stands for feeder profit index. FPI aids producers in selecting sires whose progeny will perform in the feedyard and are sold on a grade and yield standpoint. Well ranking sires for FPI have higher marbling and carcass weight than their contemporaries. The average FPI over the last 20 years has increased within the Gelbvieh and Balancer breed by

9TH Annual Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull & Female Sale

March 23, 2018 • Creston Livestock Auction, Creston, IA

All bulls are feed efficiency tested and ultra sounded. Heifers have GE EPDs.

Michael Bauer MJBC Gelbvieh Audubon, IA 712-563-2704 Mjbauer4320@hotmail.com Gary Martens Martens Gelbvieh Walnut, IA 712-764-5007 martensgl@yahoo.com

Call Tom Fry at Creston Livestock Auction (641-344-5082) at least 2 days before sale to qualify bid numbers.

Carl Reiste Rafter R Gelbvieh Adel, IA 515-490-3561 creiste.rafterr@yahoo.com

For online bidding: www.cattleusa.com and click on www.crestonlivestock.com

The Profit Picture | 39

In the Feedyard

On the Ranch

$19.14, proving Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle are meeting modern industry demands.

On the Plate

The 2016 Beef Quality Audit published by National Cattlemen’s Beef Association stated that “many companies were willing to pay a premium for guaranteed quality … Tenderness and flavor continue to be the two beef quality factors that drive customer satisfaction.”

Pound-Makin’ GENETICS

Gelbvieh and Balancer producers are committed to improving the carcass genetics of the breed with each calf crop to produce a tasty, satisfying eating experience for the consumer. Since 2010, the genetic trend for marbling has been steadily increasing.

MARCH 3, 2018 Bull Sale A Powerful Set of Gelbvieh and Balancer® Bulls Red or Black • All Polled • PAP Tested Bulls available to view at 10:30 a.m. Lunch @ Noon • Sale at 1 p.m.

Put Pounds on the Truck! And Quality Carcass on The Rail

Sega Gelbvieh Steve & Gail Fiolkoski 16509 WCR 86 • Pierce, CO 80650 Gail’s Cell: 970/590-4862 • Steve’s Cell: 970/381-0600 Email: gafiolk@aol.com • www.segagelbvieh.com

40 | February 2018

Sale catalog online at: www.segagelbvieh.com Like us on Facebook @segagelbvieh

BeefTalk: Use the Numbers When Bull Buying

News

Expected progeny differences are the best selection tool to help beef operations meet future goals. By Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service

Crop producers engage seedstock growers regarding information on new varieties, which come with an extensive amount of data. When is the last time a crop producer went out and took a picture of a field of grain and decided that would be the variety to grow?

he future is now: the bull-buying season.

The future is in the numbers. The future requires knowledge, so study hard. For me, bull-buying season means bull-buying workshops where I can meet with small groups of producers to look at numbers, the expected progeny differences (EPDs). EPDs have been around a long time, but the utilization of EPDs is still an ongoing process as more producers annually incorporate EPDs into bull selection. Interestingly, the extent to which EPDs are utilized on individual operations varies widely. However, no better selection tool is available that will help a beef operation meet future goals. Just as with buying equipment, the spec sheet informs potential buyers what is underneath the exterior metal, and EPDs inform potential buyers what is under the hide. The tires need to be checked and the feet and legs need to be checked so you purchase the desired specs.

OK, sorry, that was not called for, but some truth is in the statement. Selecting bulls only by visual appearance, just like selecting crop varieties by visual appearance, means bypassing the data (information)

South Dakota & Minnesota Breeders ADKINS GELBVIEH Gelbvieh & Balancer Performance Genetics

Bulls and Heifers for sale by private treaty

(605) 354-2428 Cell gerald@adkinsgelvbieh.com www.adkinsgelbvieh.com

Gerald & Sarah Adkins

41606 195th St., Carpenter, SD 57322

Bulls are the tools of the trade, enabling the cow-calf producer to modify the industry. EPDs can guide the process, yet EPDs are complex, so don’t be afraid to seek a better understanding of the numbers. Bulls and next year’s crop seed have a lot in common as well. Bulls are to beef production what seed is to crop production.

SwenSon Gelbvieh Dean Swenson

17513 Hwy 10 Little Falls, MN 56345 swen@centurylink.net (h) 320.632.5848 • (c) 320.630-5536 Keith, Janice, Dustin & Britney

605-852-2131 kvolek@venturecomm.net www.volekranch.com

Polled • Purebred Red • Black

The Profit Picture | 41

News

that provide the knowledge (power) to effect change within a beef operation. Just like crops, bulls carry individual genes that are sought after and actually determine the value of the bull. The numbers tell the story, not the view.

percent of a calf. The sire of the cow makes up 25 percent of the calf and the sire of the mother of the cow makes up 12.5 percent of the calf. In simple terms, the last three bulls have furnished 87.5 percent of the genes in the most recent calf crop.

All the bull workshops start out with a question: Do you like what you see? If you stand by the fence and look at your calves, do you like what you see? Is the view good? The real question is how to maintain or tweak what is good.

The same could be said of the cow side of the pedigree; however, the cow does not have the opportunity to produce copious numbers of calves, so data is more limited. And data - that is, the numbers are the point of this discussion.

Interestingly, data from the Cow Herd Appraisal Performance Software (CHAPS), through the North Dakota State University Extension Service and North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement Association (NDBCIA), suggest that with most performance traits, threshold values seem to exist that commercial beef producers can attain for relative performance within the herd, including growth, reproduction and livability. Assuming CHAPS producers are similar to other beef producers, they simply need to better understand the numbers to adequately maintain or tweak their current cow-calf enterprise.

An average EPD calculation for the traits of interest will develop a benchmark. The benchmark relates to the calves in the pen. Modification of the benchmark is sire selection.

Enter the bull. The bulls impact production and are the tools of the trade to meet the specifications of a demanding consumer and help the cow-calf producer sustain the cow-calf herd through the selection of replacements. The message for todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cattle producer: Understanding value and balance is more important than the perceived, ever-desired increase in cattle performance. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inside beef that counts. Historically, we run races, and we believed that biggest is best. What happens when all of the cattle are big? As the beef cattle industry continues to mature, bull selection shifts from a simpler straight race to a more complex maze. As the race ends, we enter the maze, a maze that will drive bull selection. The hard work starts now. Future success will be a balancing act now, weighing inputs and costs against potential additional improvement. Thus the need for EPDs and bull selection. If puzzled, seek some advice, attend some workshops and ask for help for the questions that do not seem to have answers. The goal in the bull workshops is connectivity, connecting what one sees to the previously purchased bulls. The bulls carry the genes, which make up 50

42 | February 2018

So begin by finding registration numbers of recently purchased bulls, look up their current EPD values for the traits of interest and write them down. Once the numbers are written, data are emerging.

May you find all your ear tags. FF

27 th

ulls

B 0 2

nua

120 TWO YEAR-OLD & YEARLING BULLS SELL!

Gelbvieh & Gelbvieh/Angus Balancer® FEB. 23, 2018 • MONTROSE, CO • 12:00 NOON Jim’s Auction Barn • Lunch will be served

The Largest Gelbvieh & Balancer® Sale in the Rockies! Congratulations on “Pot of Gold” consignor’s cattle winning top honors at 2017 regional and national livestock shows. Bulls can be seen on video mid-February with online bidding through DVAuction.com Online bidding the day of the sale with sight unseen purchases guaranteed. Delivery can be arranged.

Tested for Fertility, P.A.P., Trich, PI-BVD

Selected for Calving Ease, Growth, Carcass, Disposition, Soundness Bulls sired by popular A.I. Sires • Many Homozygous Black • Many Homozygous Polled Producing bulls that work at high elevations, rough conditions, calve easy, produce heavy weaning weights & produce females that are efficient, breed back, and wean a high percentage of their body weight. Call us so we can help pick the bulls that will work the best for you.

BLACK & RED BALANCER® BULLS

BLACK & RED GELBVIEH BULLS

MANY HERDSIRE PROSPECTS IN THIS SALE

www.gelbviehbulls.net For online bidding sale day

or call Mark at 970.209.1956 • Dave at 970.323.6833

Junior Editorial

Strategies During Bull Sale Season are Important for Buyer and Seller By Grady Hammer, American Gelbvieh Junior Association Director

“H

ey, well alright sir. Here we go there… and what are ya gonna give for ‘em?”

That’s right, it’s bull sale season! This is an exciting time for both the buyer and the seller. For junior breeders, this is a time to promote their herd’s breeding program as well as a time to improve on their herd’s genetics.

will be an animal that could be a productive breeding piece for you or your customer’s herd. If you are just beginning, ask your local county agriculture agent, FFA advisor, other breeders or livestock judgers to help you evaluate bulls or select your next herd sire. Keep in mind that the bull should be sound and durable.

One should also evaluate Expected Progeny Differences (EPD). It is crucial to select bulls that are balanced across their EPD profile. The American Gelbvieh Association has a great website, www. gelbvieh.org/genetic-technology/epd-info, that explains what each value means as well as breed averages and accuracies. It’s important to understand EPD information so you can explain the values if your customers have question themselves. Think of it as a way to provide a better service to your customers in order to better help them select a bull that will be the Martin Cattle most efficient for their program. Company

When marketing your cattle or selecting your next herd sire, it is important to use multi-trait selection and, of course, the other important aspect is phenotypic evaluation. This simply means evaluating the animal on the hoof; you get to be the judge! Ask yourself if this

Tennessee, Arkansas & Oklahoma Breeders “Superior Gelbvieh and Balancer Cattle”

Chris & Jordan Hampton Charles & Sue Hampton 839 Davistown Rd. • Celina, TN 38551

931-243-3213 H • 931-510-3213 C hampton@twlakes.net Registered Bulls & Replacement Females

Oklahoma’s Largest Gelbvieh Breeder Chris Markes 580-554-2307 Chris@MarkesFamilyFarms.com Excellent bulls available. We sell 80 bulls a year all over the country. Come see why! Transportation available.

44 | February 2018

David & Rita Martin 256 Boyce Road Judsonia, AR 72081 H: 501.728.4950 C: 501.278.7614 www.martincattleco.com

Private Treaty Sales Available Year Round

Promote your Operation Advertise with a State Round-up ad in the the two issues of the Profit Picture and the Herd Reference issue of Gelbvieh World

Keep in mind that a yearling bull, depending on conditions and geographic area, can cover fewer cows when compared to a mature bull. A breeding soundness test should be performed 30 to 60 days before the bull is allowed to service cows. Will you pay for this service for your customer and will your next purchased herd sire be tested before purchasing? As the gavel drops on the last lot and the auctioneer says, “Open up the gate and let ‘em out boys,” rest assured you’ve done your homework to make it the best sale season you can. FF

News

Remove Net Wrap and Twine By Bruce Anderson, Nebraska Extension Forage Specialist

s twine or net wrap good feed? Obviously not, but it can cause health problems if animals eat too much of it.

Feeding hay is work. To lighten the work load feeding hay, we often take short cuts and leave some twine or net wrap on the bales. Whether we want them to or not, animals eat some of that twine. A few years ago, I shared with you information I had received from Dr. Dee Griffin, veterinarian at the Great Plains Veterinary Education Center in Clay Center, about the potential for twine to accumulate in the rumen of cattle and cause obstruction. Recent research at North Dakota State University has confirmed this risk and provided further information on what happens to twine when cattle eat it.

often. Cows are obviously more at risk than feedlot animals. So, it might be wise to remove as much twine, especially plastic twine, as can be removed easily from bales before feeding. Twine in ground hay may be less of a problem since more of it is likely to pass completely through the animal. Think about how shortcuts and work-reducing actions you take this winter might affect your animals. Then act accordingly. FF

Iowa Breeders

In a series of experiments, the North Dakota research first showed that neither plastic net wrap nor biodegradable twine get digested by rumen microbes. Sisal twine, however, does get digested, although quite a bit more slowly than hay. In another study net wrap was included in the ration fed to steers for an extended period of time. Then, 14 days before the steers were harvested the net wrap was removed from the feed to learn if the net wrap eaten earlier might get cleared out of the rumen and digestive system. Turns out it was still in the rumen even after 14 days. So what should you do? First, remember that it doesn’t appear to be a health concern very

Rafter Neola, Iowa

Gelbvieh-Angus-Balancer Black & Polled Private Treaty Sales Breed-leading Performance from Quality Genetics

Kevin Gunderson: 402-510-8103

Al Schulz: 402-676-5292

Kenyon Cattle LLC & Little Sioux Gelbvieh/ Red Angus • Bulls for sale at Seedstock Plus Sales • Females for sale Private Treaty Jack Welle 2645 180th Ave. Milford, Iowa 51351 Home: 712-338-2143 • Cell: 712-251-4641

E-mail: jwelle@evertek.net

Gelbvieh

Reiste Family • Adel, IA Since 1982 Purebred & Balancer Cattle

Annual Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh & Balancer Sale March • Creston Livestock • Creston, IA

515.490.3561 (C) • 515.993.4381 (H) creiste.rafterr@yahoo.com

Martens Gelbvieh

Gary Martens 2126 500th St • Walnut, IA 51577

712.764.5007 (H) • 712.249.5744 (C) martensgl@yahoo.com

Annual Bull and Female sale in March with the Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh Group

The Profit Picture | 45

Markes Family Farms REGISTERED PUREBRED GELBVIEH WINTER PRIVATE TREATY OFFERING

V 87 PUREBRED BULLS V Quantity

Age

Birth Date

Price

10 32 45

24 months 18 months 12 months

Feb./March 2016 Sept./Oct. 2016 Feb./March 2017

$1800 $1800 $1800

A great selection of Registered Purebred Gelbvieh Bulls

V PUREBRED HEIFERS V We are sold out of heifers but will have more available in September. Our 250+ purebred Gelbvieh cows produce an excellent set of cattle that we can offer to you. Our herd is the product of 39 years of careful Gelbvieh breeding and we invite you to come take a look. We price our cattle to sell quickly and we look forward to your phone call.

CALL TODAY FOR THE BEST SELECTION! TRUCKING AVAILABLE • WE SHIP CATTLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY!

Whenever you think of Gelbvieh Cattle, think of

Markes Family Farms Oklahoma’s Largest Gelbvieh Breeder

Fast Facts

Who we are:

The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is a beef cattle breed association dedicated to recording, promoting, and improving Gelbvieh-influenced cattle. The AGA was started in 1971 and now consists of approximately 1,100 members with a registry database that contains over 1 million animals including approximately 40,000 currently active Gelbvieh, Balancer®, and Gelbvieh-influenced cows.

The Strengths of Gelbvieh: The Gelbvieh breed is well known throughout the industry for their maternal strengths and superior growth. With these attributes, Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle fit well into a crossbreeding system and provide genetics that work for the commercial cattle business. The high costs associated with the development or purchase of replacement females make sustained production in a herd essential. Gelbvieh females are proven to stay in the herd longer.

Raile Gelbvieh/Balancer® Bull Sale Burlington Livestock Exchange, Burlington, CO March 8, 2018 • 12:30 PM MST

Selling 50 Yearling Bulls Bulls are DNA tested for coat color PI negative, Semen Tested and Ultrasounded AI Sires:

Balancer Sires:

BABR 114Y ET(SAV Brilliance) TAU Unanimous 11B ET TTTT Mighty Hot ET 3G EZ Money 209Z WEBR TC Card Shark 1015(Red Angus)

RAIL King James 3127A 3G Yarborough 186Y RAIL Full Load 565C DLW Edison 045B TAU Mr Manitoba 13X

What is a Balancer®? Balancer cattle are registered hybrid seedstock that have documented pedigrees and expected progeny differences (EPDs). The American Gelbvieh Association was the first beef cattle breed to recognize and include a hybrid animal as registered stock. Balancer animals are 25 to 75 percent Gelbvieh with the balance of Angus or Red Angus. Balancer cattle combine the Gelbvieh growth, muscle, leanness, fertility, longevity and low yield grading ability with the carcass qualities of Angus. Balancer cattle offer a simple and powerful way to maintain hybrid vigor and a profitable blend of British and Continental genetics without a complicated crossbreeding system. These cattle fit well into all aspects of the beef industry including commercial cow-calf operations and on the rail.

RAIL Mr King James 725E

He sells along with several half brothers

Use Feeder Finder to Help Market Calves The AGA’s Feeder Finder service assists producers in marketing load lots of Gelbvieh and Balancer-influenced feeder cattle. Whether you’re selling calves private treaty, through a video auction or at the local livestock market, let the AGA help get the word out to feedyards across the country. Each listing sent is presented to feedyards via a email blast and is placed on the AGA’s website. Contact the AGA at 303-465-2333 for more information.

RAIL King James 3127A

Delbert & Marilyn Call for a catalog Raile & Sons Delbert 785-332-2756 755 Road U cell 785-772-1141 St. Francis, KS Matt cell 785-332-8399 railegelbvieh.com • email: dmraile@gmail.com The Profit Picture | 47

Judd Ranch 40 Gelbvieh, Balancer th

at the ranch, Pomona, Kansas • Saturday, March

P P P

Judd Ranch has been honored as the #1 Dam of Merit Cowherd in the Gelbvieh Breed for 19 of the past 20 years, 1998–2017!

P P P

79 lb. average birth weight: 875 lb. actual weaning weight average on the sale bulls. Maternal cow power behind every sale bull.

100% of the Gelbvieh & Balancer sale bulls feature Judd Ranch honored Dam of Merit Genetics. Average Daily Gain of fall yearling bulls: 4.79 lbs/day! 159 purebred Gelbvieh, 147 Balancer & 17 purebred Red Angus bulls sell

Top 10% Calving Ease EPD Strength average on the 159 purebred Gelbvieh bulls & top 15% average on the 147 Balancer bulls. 47 of the 50 top selling bulls in last year’s sale sold to commercial producers.

Judd Ranch Gelbvieh Herdsires & AI Sires

Takeback

Top Producer

Pop A Top

In Pursuit

Redemption

Final Answer

Resource

Marshall

Effective

Payweight

& Red Angus Bull Sale

3, at 12:00 noon • 1 hour southwest of Kansas City

323 Plus

“The Complete Package” Calving Ease • Growth • Carcass • Fertility

Gelbvieh, Balancer® & Red Angus Bulls Sell

• 202+ 17-19 month old Bulls • 121+ 12-14 month old Bulls P 99% Sired by Breed Leading AI Sires P 217 Black Polled Bulls P 297 Homozygous Polled Bulls P All sale bulls are

Judd Ranch bred and raised.

P Quality Acceptance Guarantee on all Sight Unseen purchases

Free Trucking in U.S. on purchases of $20,000 +

P Trucking is very affordable because Judd Ranch bulls annually sell into 20+ states

Visit our website • www.juddranch.com Judd Ranch Inc. Dave & Cindy Judd Nick, Ginger, Brent & Ashley

Judd Ranch Gelbvieh Maternal Strength

423 Hwy. K-68 • Pomona, KS 66076 785/ 566-8371 or 785/566-3770

Judd Ranch Red Angus Maternal Strength

Sale Consultant— CATTLEMEN’S CONNECTION

CALL TOLL-FREE: 1-800-743-0026 For Your JRI “Complete Package” Sale Catalog

News

DNA Panel Updated for Gelbvieh-Influenced Commercial Females

he American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) is proud to offer DNA products for commercial producers designed specifically for Gelbvieh-influenced cattle. The newly updated panel for Gelbvieh-influenced replacement females is called GGP-GV Heifer; its earlier model was previously marketed as Maternal Edge. The GGP-GV Heifer provides data on more traits and produces two scores for each animal: one comparing an animal against its contemporaries and another that compares that animal against the Gelbvieh breed. The maternal and productionoriented traits offered are calving ease, stayability (currently ran on the BOLT model), mature cow weight, efficiency, and post-weaning gain. The carcass-oriented traits were selected particularly on their relevance in the Gelbvieh breed and their impact on the production of quality consumer products. Carcass traits include marbling and tenderness. The results provide a score between 1 and

50 | February 2018

10 for each trait; 10 is the most optimal performance for a certain trait and 1 is the least desirable outcome. This panel also includes the option for parent verification at no additional cost, provided the potential sire(s) have parentage markers on file at the GeneSeek lab. Producers who calve with multi-sire pasture groups can gain valuable knowledge on the performance of their calf crop and determine which bulls are the most productive with the use of the parent verification tool. Tools like this are valuable to all producers, as the consumer demands more than just beef, but high quality beef. The GGP-GV Heifer panel can help make those decisions as early as possible to help design a herd that revolves around both maternal prowess and powerful carcass traits. Call the AGA office at 303-465-2333 for more information or visit www.gelbvieh.org. FF

Check us Out !

12-36 month-old Purebred and Balancer Bulls for Sale Private Treaty.

At Triple K, we are building on a solid cow herd with continually improved genetic trends that produce real results in the pasture. Al & Mary Knapp Family Basehor, KS 66007 Al: 913-219-6613 Mary: 816-835-4976 www.triplekgelbvieh.com

Visit our website at www.triplekgelbvieh.com and be sure to like us on Facebook.

Feature

Genetic Selection vs. Visual Appraisal: Is it a Conundrum? By Megan Slater

ob Weaber, Ph.D., professor of animal science and extension specialist at Kansas State University, and Matt Spangler, Ph.D., associate professor of animal science and extension beef genetics specialist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, teamed up at the Range Beef Cow Symposium to talk about genetic selection versus visual appraisal. The Range Beef Cow Symposium was held November 28-30, 2017, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and is a biennial symposium hosted Cooperative Extension Service and animal science departments of the University of Wyoming, South Dakota State University, Colorado State University and the University of Nebraska.

“W

hen we defer to what the bull looks like rather than what his genetic merit is, we are creating an inefficiency in the beef industry,” Spangler said.

Weaber lead off the discussion by stating genetic selection versus visual appraisal is not a conundrum. Using the right tools at the right time is the key to making selection decisions and it is all about utilizing the tools in the right way. He expressed the importance of developing a breeding objective to give direction when making selection decision. A breeding objective is a written statement created by the operation that defines such things as environmental constraints, the timing and method of calf sales, and replacement female strategies. The breeding objective should help to focus on the traits that are important to the operation and ultimately determine what is required for profitability.

52 | February 2018

Practicing selection without an objective likely will not help to improve the bottom line of the operation. When selecting for traits it is important to look for the optimum level of production rather than the maximum level, as the two are often not the same. “Maximums in biology, extremes in biology, always come with consequence,” Weaber said. Each operation may have a different optimal value for a trait, and figuring out those appropriate levels for the operation is what drives profitability. How do we describe value when buying genetics? Expected progeny differences (EPDs) and selection indexes are used to describe the genetic potential of an animal. The connection between the breeding objective and the profit equation (profit=revenue-costs) then becomes economically relevant traits (ERTs), Weaber explained. ERTs are traits that are directly associated with a cost or with the revenue stream. Spangler then went on to further explain EPDs and their usefulness in selection decisions. EPDs combine various sources of information, such as pedigree, phenotype, and genomic information, and weight all of these appropriately into one number that can be used for selection of that particular trait. “The algebra behind the EPDs isn’t easy, but it is time proven and we know that it works,” Spangler said. When selecting sires, it is important to focus selection on the traits the sire will pass on through genetic potential. “When we defer to what the bull looks like rather than what his genetic merit is, we are creating an inefficiency in the beef industry,” Spangler said. Variations in phenotype are based on several components such as genetics, heterosis, and the environment. Certain components of the phenotypic variation can not be passed on. At conception, EPDs start out as an average of the sire and the dam’s EPDs. However, the animal’s EPDs start to deviate from this average due to Mendelian sampling. Each time the sire is mated he passes on a

random sampling of his genes and this is a different random half in each mating. This is why we see variation in different offspring of a sire. These variations can be seen even earlier in the animal’s life with genomics, which can help to increase the accuracy of a young animal. Spangler suggests for a more uniform calf crop, it is best to select bulls that are more alike in their EPD profile, rather than purchasing half or full siblings assuming they will produce similar calves just because they are related. With this being said however, EPDs do not predict the uniformity of the calf crop, there will be variation in a sire’s calves. Spangler emphasized variation is how progress is made within the herd.

From Pasture to Plate

EPDs can be used to increase, decrease, or optimize performance of a certain trait. However, with so many traits to look at, choosing the correct traits to put emphasis on while still practicing multi-trait selection can be challenging. Using selection indexes can help to simplify to the selection process. Selection indexes help to put together the tradeoffs of economically relevant traits in an economic sense. Indexes weigh EPDs by economic value and they are an objective and uniform way to describe relative values, says Weaber. Understanding and using the right index is key, this is why figuring out the operation’s breeding objective is key to selecting which index to put the most emphasis on. As Spangler describes, not all economically relevant traits have EPDs, yet the animal has to have these certain traits in order to do their job as a breeding stock. Two examples of these traits are docility and foot and leg structure, which are related to the animal’s ability to pass along their genetics. Both Spangler and Weaber emphasized the importance of utilizing the selection tools available in the industry in order to better the genetics of an operation. Spangler posed the question, how is the beef industry going to compete with other proteins if we are not utilizing the tools that we have available? For more information and resources about beef genetics and genomics, visit eBEEF.org. FF

Count on our genetics to add tenderness, growth and profit Ronnie Rogers to your cowherd! For over 20 years, I’ve been breeding and selecting for predictable, easy fleshing and trouble-free genetics from birth to the dinner table. Give me a call and let me show you how our tenderness-based genetics can improve the performance of your herd and increase profits for your operation.

Upcoming Sale March 10, 2018 • 12:30 PM Midwest Beef Alliance Spring Bull Sale Purebred Gelbvieh & Balancer® Bulls Sale held at Mid-Missouri Livestock Center Marshall Junction, MO Just South of I-70 on Highway 65

Ronnie Rogers • (660) 375-7266

212 Long St., Mendon, MO 64660 Email: rogers_valley_farm_feedlot@hotmail.com

Visit us on the web at www.RogersVFG.com The Profit Picture | 53

News

Don’t Make Herd Bull Selections Without using these Tools By AGA Staff

ith spring sale season coming up quickly, it’s important for commercial bull buyers to think about how best to use EPDs to select animals in a sale catalog. With such instability in the cattle market, using all the information possible is more important than ever to reduce risk in buying animals for your bull battery. There are several ways seedstock breeders provide this information in their sale catalog.

Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) While raw performance data such as actual birth weight is often provided in sale catalogs, EPDs are a much more accurate measure of performance for breeding animals. Raw performance data, including data used in ratios, can only accurately be used to compare

animals in the same contemporary group, which are used to compare animals that were managed similarly to account for the environment. The contemporary group includes animals born in the same herd, of the same gender, and born in the same season. Unlike raw performance data, EPDs can be used to compare animals across different years in the same herd, and even across animals in various years in different herds. EPDs also include not only the animal’s own performance but that of all closely linked relatives, including parents and siblings. The additional information used to compute EPDs makes them a great genetic selection tool to help minimize risk.

Colorado, Kansas & Nebraska Breeders Delbert & Marilyn Raile & Sons

Jim Roelle 38148 CR 49 #7 Peetz, CO 80747 (H): 970-334-2221 • (C): 970-520-1224 jr.plateau@hotmail.com www.plateaugelbvieh.com

755 Road U St. Francis, KS

Featuring Black, Polled Gelbvieh & Balancer® genetics with balanced trait selection. Next Bull Sale February 22, 2018. Livestock Exchange,LLC., Brush, CO.

27 th An

lls

u 0B

120 TWO YEAR-OLD & YEARLING BULLS SELL!

Gelbvieh & Gelbvieh/Angus Balancer® FEB. 23, 2018 • MONTROSE, CO • 12:00 NOON

www.gelbviehbulls.net

or call Mark at 970.209.1956 • Dave at 970.323.6833

FEMALES AVAILABLE

54 | February 2018

Delbert cell Cody cell

785-332-2756 785-332-4347 785-332-2219 785-332-6089

MLM Gelbvieh Marlin Meyer

824 Road 3000 Superior, NE 68978 402-879-4976 mlm68978@yahoo.com www.gelbviehbulls.com

railegelbvieh.com email: dmraile@railegelbvieh.com

Promote your Operation Advertise with a State Round-up ad in the the two issues of the Profit Picture and the Herd Reference issue of Gelbvieh World

Rippe Gelbvieh

Duane & Brenda, Dustin & Karla Rippe 6775 Road D • Hubbell, NE 68375 (H) 402-324-4176 Duane (C): 402-200-0096 Dustin (C): 316-323-4874 dustin.rippe@yahoo.com www.rippegelbvieh.com

“To produce superior Gelbvieh and Balancer® seedstock based on economically important traits, which provide more profitability for our customers, and ensure the consumer a very satisfactory eating experience.”

News

Accuracy Accuracy is another valuable tool that bull buyers can use to help reduce risk in selecting animals for their bull battery. Accuracy is often published below its corresponding EPD and is defined as the strength of the relationship between an EPD and a sire’s true genetic value. In other words, accuracy is an indicator of the reliability of an EPD. Accuracy numbers range from 0 to 1, with a greater value indicating a greater accuracy. Accuracy is improved by the number of records reported for an animal, including the animal’s own performance, progeny, and genomic information. For example, a threeyear-old bull with 90 calves would have EPDs of greater accuracy than a yearling bull.

Accuracy

Meaning

Less than .40

Possibility of change with more information

.40 to .60

Some change likely, records on few progeny

.60 to .80

Small change possible, records on numerous progeny

Greater than .80

Not likely to change much

Percent Rank Percentile ranks compare an animal’s EPDs to similar animals, such as all Gelbvieh or Balancer non-parents for yearling bulls. These rankings can be incredibly useful for a potential buyer to see how a sale animal ranks against other animals they might be considering. Rankings range from 1-100, with 1 being more desirable. For example, if an animal ranks in the top 1% of animals for calving ease direct, that means only 1 percent of animals are better than that animal for calving ease. By comparison, if an animal ranks in the 50th percentile for calving ease, that means 50 percent of animals are more favorable than that animal for calving ease.

Genomic-Enhanced EPDs Seedstock producers utilize genomic testing to add reliability to selection tools for their customers. The addition of genomic data to an EPD calculation is

comparable to adding another source of information, like progeny or pedigree records. Specifically on young animals with very little information, genomic data has the potential to greatly increase the accuracy of an EPD prediction. Confidence in an animal’s EPDs earlier in life means that buyers can more reliably predict the performance outcomes of using unproven animals in their breeding herd. Increasing accuracy on animals used for breeding stock is a great way to speed the rate of genetic progress in any herd. Looking for even more information during bull sale season? The AGA also provides listings of genetic trends, percentile ranks, and trait leader lists on the AGA Online Registry. If you have questions about these documents, feel free to contact the AGA office at 303.465.2333 or info@gelbvieh.org.

AGA EPDs Explained Equipping commercial producers with all of the tools necessary to make smart bull buying decisions requires us to provide background information on selection criteria. Below is an exhaustive list of the EPDs and index values provided by the AGA along with a definition of each trait that is measured.

Maternal Traits Calving ease direct (CED): Percent of unassisted births of a bull’s calves when he is used on heifers. A higher number is favorable, meaning better calving ease. This EPD can be vital to a rancher looking to decrease the amount of calves pulled in his herd. Milk (Milk): The genetic ability of a sire’s daughters to produce milk expressed in pounds of weaning weight. Calving ease maternal (CEM): Represented as percent of unassisted births in a sire’s first-calving daughters. A higher number represents more favorable calving ease. This EPD is important to a rancher’s bottom line because it predicts which animals produce daughters with a genetic pre-disposition to calve unassisted as heifers. Heifer pregnancy (HP): Predicts the probability that a bull’s daughters will become pregnant as first-calf heifers in a regular breeding season, expressed as a percent. A higher value of this EPD is favorable, meaning that a higher percentage of a sire’s daughters get pregnant as first calf heifers compared to other sires in his contemporary group.

The Profit Picture | 55

News

30-month pregnancy (Pg30): Predicts the probability that a bull’s daughters will become pregnant and calve at three years of age, given that they calved as first-calf heifers. This EPD is expressed as a percent, again, with a higher number being more favorable meaning a higher percentage of a sire’s daughters will calve at three years of age, given they calved as first-calf heifers. Stayability (ST): Predicts the genetic difference, in terms of percent probability, that a bull’s daughters will stay productive within a herd to at least six year of age. The stayability EPD is one of the best measures currently available to compare a bull’s ability to produce females with reproductive longevity.

Growth Traits Birth weight (BW): Predicts the difference, in pounds, for birth weight of the calf. Weaning weight (WW): Predicts the difference, in pounds, for weaning weight (adjusted to age of dam and a standard 205 days of age). This is an indicator of growth from birth to weaning. Yearling weight (YW): Predicts the expected difference, in pounds, for yearling weight (adjusted to a standard 365 days of age). This is an indicator of growth from birth to yearling.

Carcass Traits Yield grade (YG): Differences in yield grade score, which is a predictor of percent retail product. Smaller values suggest that progeny will have a better lean to fat ratio. Carcass weight (CW): Differences in pounds of hot carcass weight, adjusted to an industry standard age endpoint. Ribeye area (REA): Differences in ribeye area in inches between the 12th and 13th rib. Greater ribeye areas are preferable. Marbling (MB): Predicts the differences in the degree of marbling within the ribeye as expressed in marbling score units. Greater marbling numbers are preferable and are an indicator of higher carcass quality grades. Fat (FT): Differences for fat thickness, in inches, for a carcass over the 12th rib, smaller numbers of fat thickness are preferable as excess fat can be detrimental to yield grade.

56 | February 2018

Efficiency Traits Dry matter intake (DMI): Represents the average daily dry matter intake per day consumed in pounds. A negative, or lesser value, is more favorable. For example, Bull A has a DMI EPD of .15 and Bull B has a DMI EPD of -.20, so the progeny of Bull B consume, on average, .35 pound less dry matter per day than progeny from Bull A.

Indexes Total maternal (TM): An index that combines growth and milk information as a prediction of the weaning weight performance of calves from a sire’s daughters. As an index, this value is not reported with an accompanying accuracy. A greater TM value means a mother that returns comparatively higher weaning weights on her calves. TM Index = MK EPD + ½ WW EPD. $Cow: Represents the genetic value in dollars of profit of an animal when retained as a replacement female relative to other animals in the herd. A higher number represents more profitable genetics for maternal productivity. $Cow will serve producers in selecting bulls that will sire daughters with stayability and reproductive efficiency as well as other traits that lead to profitability in a production system, such as milk, calving ease, moderate mature weight and the ability of calves to gain. A female’s genetics also influence the performance of her calves in the feedlot and at slaughter, so traits such as feed efficiency and carcass value are also included in $Cow. Efficiency profit index (EPI): An economic selection index developed to aid producers in selecting for more feed efficient cattle that still have acceptable amounts of gain. The EPI provides slight negative pressure on intake, while keeping gain at a constant value. By selecting on this index, producers will be able to find those animals that gain the same amount as their contemporaries while eating less. Feeder profit index (FPI): An economic selection index designed to aid producers in selecting sires whose progeny will perform in the feedlot and are sold on a grade and yield standpoint. Well ranking sires for FPI have higher marbling and carcass weight than their contemporaries. As a terminal index, little emphasis is put on maternal traits such as stayability and calving ease. FF

Editorial

Consider Your Options: Graze-out vs. Harvesting Wheat By Myriah Johnson, Ph.D. Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

s we move into 2018, it will soon be time to think about whether to pull cattle off wheat so it can be harvested for grain or to leave the cattle on the pasture through wheat graze-out. One of the biggest concerns this past fall was the lack of moisture received. This will ultimately impact producers’ decisions this spring, too. In evaluating the graze-out or wheat for grain options, a partial budget can be a useful tool. For this, we’ll assume you could continue with a 650-pound steer in March and take him to 800 pounds in early May. Estimated prices in Oklahoma City are $158.85 per hundredweight and $137.47 per hundredweight, respectively. We’ll also assume 1.25 head per acre during this springtime period of graze-out. Ultimately, an additional $86.66 in revenue could be generated with graze-out wheat. The expected cash price for wheat in south-central Oklahoma early next June is $3.92 per bushel. Using the five-year average Oklahoma wheat yield of 29.4 bushels per acre, revenue of $115.25 could be generated by cutting wheat for grain. Revenue is only half the

picture, as we must also take costs into account. With harvesting wheat, you’ll have the associated fungicide, weed control, combining and hauling costs to consider. With stockers, you’ll still have the cost of hauling them to the auction barn. Taking all this into account, it appears that taking the stockers through graze-out will be more advantageous by about $21 per acre. However, the picture starts to change if you can beat Oklahoma’s five-year average yield of 29.4 bushels per acre. If you can produce 35 bushels per acre, you could expect the same returns as grazing out cattle. Any improvements in yield will favor pulling cattle and cutting the wheat for grain. As always, keep your pencils sharp. These price relationships will have changed by the time you read this article. Crunch these numbers for your own operation, and don’t hesitate to contact your Noble Research Institute economist. FF Source: Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation

Montana Breeders Quality livestock that Work for you Performance + Safety = Profit from Pasture to Plate

“Gelbvieh since 1973”

Gelbvieh

Carcass Quality • Calving Ease • Tenderness • Docility

Quarter Horses

Want to Please • Strong Bone • Intelligent • Athletic 1496 Goose Creek Rd. • Raynesford, MT 59469 Ranch Phone: 406.738.4220 • BarJRGelbvieh@3rivers.net BarJRGelbvieh.com

58 | February 2018

Kathleen Rankin 406-937-4815 1285 Nine Mile Rd. • Oilmont, MT 59466 krankin@northerntel.net www.kickinghorseranch.com Performance cattle for the real world.

Our Annual Production Sale, March 15, 2018

News

Ken Thorstenson Inducted Posthumously into Gelbvieh Hall of Fame

en Thorstenson of Selby, South Dakota, was inducted posthumously into the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) Hall of Fame for 2018. The induction took place during the awards banquet at the 47th Annual AGA National Convention in Wichita, Kansas. Ken’s son, Vaughn Thorstenson; daughter-in-law, Wendy; and granddaughter, Gina, were present at the awards ceremony to accept the accolade on behalf of Ken. Lori Maude, Hermosa, South Dakota, presented the award to the Thorstenson family. The AGA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals for their lasting contribution to the growth and development of the Gelbvieh breed. Hall of fame inductee selection criterion includes contributions to breed promotion efforts, leadership provided to the association and the breeding

of superior genetics that are of great influence within the Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle population. Ken Thorstenson was among the first cattlemen in the United States to use imported Gelbvieh semen and seedstock to expand his herd. Thorstenson Gelbvieh was established in 1975 when they began selling bulls through private treaty. The operation held its first annual bull sale at St. Onge Livestock in St. Onge, South Dakota, in 1982. Throughout the years, Ken purchased many elite herd sires that brought great success to the ranch, not only for the Gelbvieh herd, but also for the Angus herd lending to the great foundation for the ranch’s Balancer® cowherd. Today, Thorstenson Gelbvieh, also known as Lazy TV Ranch, has continued to build on Ken’s legacy since his passing in 2010. The operation will host its 37th annual bull sale at the ranch this March where they will offer 200 Gelbvieh, Balancer and Angus bulls. FF

Bull Sale Mark your calendars! February 22, 2018 • 12:00 NOON MST. Livestock Exchange, LLC. Brush, Colorado Selling 40 Top Quality, High Performing Balancer® and Gelbvieh Bulls

These bulls are thick muscled, grow fast, and are made for the commercial cattle operation.

Like us on Facebook at Plateau Gelbvieh

60 | February 2018

Lori Maude, Hermosa, South Dakota, presented the Ken Thorstenson family, Selby, South Dakota, with the 2018 American Gelbvieh Association Hall of Fame award on behalf of Ken Thorstenson. Left to right: Gina Thorstenson, Wendy Thorstenson, Vaughn Thorstenson, Lori Maude.

BULLS FOR SALE Available now by private treaty. Contact Brad Ridinger at 303-810-0582 or email Carol@RidingerCattleCo.com • Visit www.RidingerCattleCo.com for photos, videos and more info on all available bulls.

NWSS DIVISION CHAMPION

GELBVIEH BULL FUTURITY RUNNER-UP RID R PIONEER 6123D - PB94 S: RID R Outlaw 1456B - He Sells!

RID R MCCOY 7084E - PB94 S: RID R Lawman 1467B Purchased by 4T Ranch.

AAD R ONE EYED JACK 5009C - BA75 S: RID R Collateral 2R - 1/2 Brothers Sell!

Sold in our Pioneers of Progress Production Sale!

RID R HATFIELD 7046E - PB88 S: RID R Lawman 1467B - He sells!

SELLING SONS OF THESE OUTSTANDING HERDSIRES: RID R REBEL 1448B - PB94 • AAD R LAWMAN 1467B - PB88 RID R OUTLAW 1456B - PB94 • CAROLINA EXCLUSIVE 1230Y - PB94 JKGF FRONTIER C90 - PB88 • SINK GAMBLER 530C - BA50 RID R OLD WEST 1381A - PC75 • RID R HIGH NOON 1408B ET - PB94

RID R HITMAN 6116D ET - BA75 S: RID R Outlaw 1456B - He sells!

Gelbvieh & Balancer Red & Black Year Bulls - Fall Aged Bulls Select Older Bulls

Ridinger Cattle Company, LLC Brad & Carol Ridinger • Deer Trail, CO • www.RidingerCattleCo.com Brad: 303-810-0582 • Carol: 303-517-1871 • Carol@RidingerCattleCo.com Follow us on Facebook at Ridinger Cattle Co. Visit our website, call, or message us for more information. Listings of available bulls will be posted on our website and Facebook page. We welcome you to the ranch to view the bulls!

Carolina Exclusive 1230Y EPD

CED BW WW YW MK TM CEM HP PG30 ST DMI YG CW REA MB $COW FPI EPI

AMGV1220437 HOMO BLACK HOMO POLLED

RANK

6 3.6 93 143 13 70 5 4.23 2.82 10 0.01 -0.48 61 0.79 -0.15 96.43 75.99 161.87

2% 1% 15%

10%

1% 4% 35% 25% 5% 2%

For the first time in 5 years, semen packages are being offered on CCRO Carolina Exclusive 1230Y, one of the most popular purebred Gelbvieh bulls in recent history. Don’t miss the exclusive opportunity to add performance and eye appeal to your breeding program.

Don’t Miss Out!

SEMEN • 40 UNITS • $1,500

Deadline for limted semen packages - March 3, 2018 Proven Progeny

RID R OUTLAW 1456B 2015 National Champion Gelbvieh Bull

AAD R LAWMAN 1467B 2016 National Champion Gelbvieh Bull

Kilbourne Gelbvieh

Regarding semen packages please contact:

Kendall Kilbourne East Bernstadt, KY 606.309.4662

William McIntosh 502.867.3132 Trent Jones 270.590.5266 Kendall Kilbourne 606.309.4667

JKGF NEW HORIZON C51 $29,000 High Selling bull at 2016 Genetic Power Bull Sale

Coles Bend Cattle Company Trent Jones Smith Grove, KY 270.590.5266

Spring 2018 Bull Sales

SATURDAY, MARCH 3

At the Ranch • North of Arapahoe, NE

SATURDAY, MARCH 17 Flying H Bull Barn • Butler, MO

280 Bulls Sell, Sires Include . . .

Final Statement

Hard Drive Y120

Leverage 3214A

AMAR #1704760

AMAR #1436718

AMGV #1281559201

Flying H Genetics won Champion in both the Steer Challenge and Scale & Rail Carcass Contest sponsored by American Gelbvieh Foundation.

Barstow Cash

Payweight 1682

AAA #17145326

AAA #17038724

AGF Steer Challenge winner: • Top average daily gain • Top carcass value • Top value animal

Scale & Rail Contest Top Balancer Steer:

• Highest average daily gain (5.93 lbs. /day) • Top carcass value at $1,179 • 17.10 square inch ribeye • Top Total Value Steer ($1,185) • USDA Yield Grade 3 • Quality grade of USDA Choice

Champion Pen of Balancer steers:

• Average value of $1,119 • Average USDA Yield Grade 3 • Quality grade of USDA Choice

The Tradition Continues... Find us on Facebook

For more information, scan the code or go to our website, call or text us.

FLYINGHGENETICS.com Helping Build Family Successes Since 1949!

Winning steers sired by FHG sire Rogue (AMAR# 1613985)

FLYING H GENETICS

Kyle & Kayla Helms, NE 308.962.6940 Cody & Casie Helms, MO, NE 303.842.9071 Missouri Oﬃce 417.309.0062 Dick and Bonnie Helms 308.962.6500

Editorial

BeefTalk: Cattle Eat More Than Hay so Shop Around for Alternative Feeds This year’s challenge for the beef manager is finding the balance among winter demands, feed inventory and cattle inventory. By Kris Ringwall, Beef Specialist, NDSU Extension Service

anaging feed resources is the biggest challenge when winter weather changes daily, and so do cattle feed needs.

closer to grass makes the producer more comfortable. Still, the question will remain: Does feed inventory match cattle inventory?

This year’s challenge for the beef manager is finding the balance among winter demands, feed inventory and cattle inventory. Because of last summer’s dry weather, hay is in short supply. The issue was alleviated somewhat by nice fall weather, which extended grazing opportunities on crop aftermath.

One answer is to seek advice about alternative feedstuffs to help offset forage needs until the operation reaches a May 1 grass turnout. As has been noted many times, the purchase of hay above operational historical levels should be a last resort when transportation costs are high. Now is the time to call a nutritionist to seek more feed options and do some homework.

When winter officially arrived, the waves of cold were real. A short January thaw has been a reprieve, and before one knows, thoughts of spring will start to churn. The challenge for beef producers is keeping enough cattle around to utilize next summer’s grazing opportunities while not knowing if moisture is on the way. On the other hand, not selling enough cattle may bring a critical shortage of feed at a very critical time in the life of a cow, just prior to calving and early lactation. Now is the time to evaluate feed inventory and fine-tune the anticipated nutritional inputs, keeping in mind the potential for a change in winter weather. Anticipated feed disappearance generally is calculated based on average weather, along with average intake, and each day

64 | February 2018

The center consulted livestock nutritionist Karl Hoppe, an area livestock specialist with the North Dakota State University Extension Service. He said, “When forage production is limited on the ranch, cattle will still need feed. While selling off part of the cow herd inventory is an option, most ranchers will opt to buy additional feed. Purchasing hay is certainly an option. However, the cost of freight, the time needed to haul and regionally high prices for hay lead to seeking more competitive feedstuffs.” I asked Hoppe what that meant. “Many livestock producers are very fortunate, as areas that produce more crops have increased the number of grain-processing plants that produce coproduct feeds,” he replied. “These feeds are usually higher in energy content than hay and contain a higher amount of protein. In general, coproducts also have a high concentration of phosphorous but a very low level of calcium. Rations should be balanced and calcium added if needed.” I noted the challenge is just like hay and transportation costs. However, the transportation cost per unit of nutrient should be less when purchasing a more energy-dense feed. At the Dickinson Research Extension Center this year, the cows may be cleaning up the hay reserves by mid-April,

two weeks short of grass turnout. I asked Hoppe whether coproducts would be priced right and have the needed nutrients to make up the difference in feed need if the center started substituting coproducts for hay as the winter moves on. “Coproduct price usually follows the grain market price,” Hoppe noted. “Distillers grain is usually traded at 100 to 120 percent of the value of corn per ton, is easier to haul, compared with hay, and generally is available at local ethanol plants.” “Distillers grains are 30 percent protein (dry-matter basis) and have an energy value similar or higher than corn grain,” he explained. “Five to 6 pounds of dried distillers grains or 10 to 12 pounds of the modified distillers grains (modified distillers grains are 50 percent moisture) per head daily to a cow can make a big difference in cow performance when fed poor-quality hay or as a replacement for hay.”

Golden Buckle Gelbvieh

OPEN HOUSE Treaty Saturday, February 17, 2018 Private Starting at 12:00 Noon (cst) Bull and At the Ranch Sale e l a m e F View videos and sale book at www.golden-buckle-gelbvieh.com

Feel free to contact us ANYTIME for bulls and females for sale!

Black and Red DDGR 120C Innovation purebred sons sell

Hoppe also provided advice about another coproduct.

Purebred Sons & Daughters sired by DCHD Captain Morgan 217C sell

“Wheat midds are a 15 to 18 percent crude protein coproduct produced from wheat or durum mills,” he said. “Midds can be pelleted or meal. Wheat midds are priced similarly to corn per ton, or at a 10 to 15 percent discount. Energy content is about 15 percent less than corn.” The list of coproducts does not stop there. “There are many other coproducts available in areas that have significant crop production,” Hoppe said. “These include barley malt sprouts, soybean hulls, corn gluten feed, beet pulp (dried and pelleted, pressed or wet), beet tailings and potato waste. Also produced by oilseed crushing plants in the upper Great Plains are high-protein feeds such as canola meal, sunflower meal, linseed meal and soybean meal.” Hoppe also noted: “Coproduct feeds are all unique and have individual differences that influence usability. High moisture limits how far it can be economically hauled, and prices go up when demand is increased. Ranchers are quick to realize that contracting now for later delivery might lead to a better price.” Cattle are ruminants and they can consume more than forage, so balance a ration, watch transportation costs and shop around. May you find all your ear tags. FF Source: NDSU Extension Service

Deep bodied purebred sons of DVE McGraw 21B sell

Selling 35 Purebred Bulls & 25 Purebred Heifers

Black purebred sons of DCHD 070C sell

Also, be sure to check out our Herd Reduction Sale. Bulls and females for sale anytime! Contact us for more information!

Dwight, Christina, Bailey, Cheyenne, Cierra & Dalton Dockter 4956 41st St SE Medina, ND 58467 701-486-3494 gbgelb@daktel.com golden-buckle-gelbvieh.com

Find us on Facebook

The Profit Picture | 65

PUREBRED GELBVIEH BULLS SELLING MARCH 12TH IN BROOKS, ALBERTA, CANADA

AWB BIRCH’S THE BOXER 21D

AWB TWIN VIEW BAD HABIT 47E

2 Time Reserve Grand Champion Bull Canadian Western Agribition His Full Brother Sells! Semen available!

Champion Senior Bull Calf Canadian Western Agribition He Sells!

AWB TWIN VIEW RENEGADE 44E ET

AWB TWIN VIEW RUSH HOUR 91E

Reserve Grand Champion Bull Manitoba Ag Ex He and his flush brothers sell!

Thank you to Ledgerwood Gelbvieh for purchasing Rush Hour.

FRL FIR RIVER CROSBY 806A

AWB BIRCH’S BOJANGLES 24C

His sons sell!

Sire of Rush Hour • He and his sons sell!

We are happy to assist in health testing and transport across the U.S. border.

Twin View Livestock

Aaron Birch & Joe Barnett Parkbeg, Saskatchewan, Canada 403 485 5518 • www.twinviewlivestock.com

Editorial

Preventing Dystocia Before Calving Season Starts By Taylor Grussing, SDSU Extension Cow/Calf Field Specialist

alving season has started for some and will begin soon for others. Meanwhile, beef producers are preparing themselves for less sleep each night, as time spent observing cows day and night will soon start. Nearly 90% of beef producers regularly observe cows and heifers during calving (NAHMS, 2008), and research shows doing calving checks every 3 hours yields best results. Yet, the best calving check regimen is not always practical or a guaranteed way to eliminate calving problems or dystocia from occurring. It is estimated 11% of heifers and 4% of cows need some assistance during calving each year (NAHMS, 2008). Therefore, what can we do to prevent calving difficulty before it occurs so calving season will be a little less stressful for all parties involved?

Don’t Select for Dystocia In the hours leading up to calving, there is often little anyone can do to prevent dystocia from occurring. However, looking back on your management decisions from the past the breeding season and fall, may give one insight into how calving will go. Here are some example areas to evaluate before calving starts: • Calving Ease Direct EPD (CED) Utilize calving ease bulls when mating to heifers, young or small cows that may have trouble calving. CED measures percent of unassisted births and takes into account the size and presentation of the fetus. Be careful not to over select for CED in mature cows, as valuable calf weight will be given up and sacrifice potential revenue. • Pelvic Measure Measuring pelvic area in replacement or bred heifers before their first calving event will give producers an idea of which females may have trouble due to abnormal pelvis shape or size. The pelvis continues to grow and shape until cows are mature, so keep in mind the pelvis can change between first and third calving events. • Body Condition Score Pay attention to heifers and cows that are carrying

68 | February 2018

extreme amounts of fat or are very thin. Over conditioned heifers are more likely to have troubles calving due to accumulation of fat in the pelvis hindering fetal passage through the birth canal. In addition, if heifers are too skinny their endurance during calving may be limited by the absence of energy resources. At any time, if a female stops making progress during calving for more than 15 minutes, assistance should be offered. Separate cows based on condition so not to overfeed fat cows and underfeed thin ones. • Pregnancy Detection If you had the ability to know when a cow would have twins, would you do it? Most of us say yes, but only 20 percent of beef operations palpate or ultrasound for pregnancy. Modern technologies are available and should be utilized to confirm pregnancy in cows and identify twins or large calves so producers can pay more attention to certain cows as calving nears. • Provide Exercise Cows need to be in shape come calving season, so providing adequate exercise prior to calving is important to their physical strength. Feeding cows in a loafing pasture and providing water a ¼ mile away is a good distance for cows to travel daily. If keeping cows in a lot during gestation, less energy will be used every day, as they don’t have to walk so far. Design rations to meet requirements of cows based on location during gestation. Lastly, avoid moving cows close to calving as fetal growth is occurring very rapidly and calf position can flip if cows slip or fall.

Know the Signs Not all dystocia is preventable even if you follow the practices listed above. However, if you observe cows struggling during labor, keep a close watch on her to observe her through the stages of labor and intervene when necessary (Table 1).

Table 1. Stage of labor. External Signs Stage 1 Restless, nesting, stops eating and drinking, vaginal discharge observed

Length When to Intervene 2 – 8 hours, >8 h, check for potentially longer in stillborn calves heifers

Stage 2

½ - 4 hours

Stage 3

Internal Events Cervix begins to dilate; Uterine contractions strengthen (1 /15 min. to 1/3 min.) Abdominal Cervix fully dilated, straining 1 – 3x/ progress from head min., water bag to chest and lastly appears, fetal hips, allow calf to limbs appear, calf take first breath is delivered Passes placenta Connection between placenta and uterus deteriorate

Gelbvieh/Balancer® Show 1:00 PM ET, Friday, March 2, 2018

Water bag has been visible for 2 hours and not trying, no progress >30 min, progress stops for >15 min Completed 12 h post 12 -24 h, check for delivery retained placenta

Gelbvieh/Balancer® Sale

11:30 AM ET, Saturday, March 3, 2018

Junior Heifer & Steer Show

8:00 AM ET, Sunday, March 4, 2018

Selling 35 Lots:

Bulls • Bred Heifers • Open Heifers • Cow/Calf Pairs

2017 Beef Expo Champions

In Summary Ultimately dystocia is not a fun event for anyone involved. Producers can do their best to estimate the size of the fetus, presentation in the birth canal and pelvic area in each specific cow, but only time will tell if cows will calve unassisted or need help. Take steps to understand the stages of labor and when assistance is needed to successfully navigate through a dystocia. We wish everyone the best going into calving season 2018! FF

Grand Champion Gelbvieh Bull 3G Day Money 673D Consigned by 3G Ranch Purchased by Keith Hubble

Grand Champion Balancer Bull Big League 2075C Consigned by Cody Moore Purchased by Sugar Creek Farms

Grand Champion Gelbvieh Female Claire 504C Consigned by Pleasant Meadows Farm Purchased by Rock N Fox

Grand Champion Balancer Female Miss JENJ 605D Consigned by JenJoe Farms Purchased by Kyler Day

Courtesy of igrow.org

Sale Managed by: Slaughter Sale Management David Slaughter 162 Hasting Lane Fredonia, KY 42411 270-556-4259

Like us on Facebook at Slaughter Sale Management

Sale co-sponsored by: The Kentucky Gelbvieh Association and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture

The Profit Picture | 69

News

American Gelbvieh Association Elects Board of Directors

embers of the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) elected five candidates to the board of directors at the annual membership meeting held December 9, 2017, during the 47 th Annual American Gelbvieh Association National Convention in

Wichita, Kansas. Newly elected board members are Dustin Aherin, Phillipsburg, Kansas; Jeff Loveless, Spanish Fork, Utah; Derek Martin, Bucklin, Kansas; and Dan McCarty, Rifle, Colorado. Re-elected to serve

Top row: Leland Clark, KS; Randy Sienknecht, IA; Dough Hughes, VA; Jeff Swanson, NE; Dennis Gustin, ND; Jeff Loveless, UT; Dustin Aherin, KS; Derek Martin, KS; Andrea Murray, OK. Front Row: Dan McCarty, CO; Klint Sickler, ND; Myron Edelman, AGA Executive Director; Scott Starr, NE; John Carrel, MT; Walter Teeter, NC; Lowell Rogers, MS.

RAFTER R GELBVIEH

SireS repreSented in our herd:

COW HERD DISPERSAL SALE Directly following the

Southwest Iowa Bull & Female Sale March 23, 2018 Creston Livestock Auction • Creston, IA It is with a lot of difficulty that, because of my health, age and help situation, I have decided to sell my cow herd. I started with purebred Gelbvieh in 1980 and have been determined to develop a top herd of registered Gelbvieh & Balancer cattle. I hope to see you at our sale and feel that you won’t be disappointed. This will be the first opportunity to purchase any Rafter R Females or any of our select replacement heifers. We have only purchased bull with top EPDs, and always insisted on every EPD being in the top, such as Milk, BW and YW. We have been very particular in correctness, thickness, depth of rib, depth of flank, length of body, good udders and teats.

70 | February 2018

All cows sell, with the exception for 10-year-olds or older, and a few fall cows that are a little thin with suckling calves. You will buy the females in their natural dress, with no primping.

We hope to See you at our diSperSal Sale. pleaSe feel free to email or call With any queStionS. Online bidding will be available. Contact Tom Fry at Creston Livestock Auction at least two days before sale to quality bid numbers • 641-344-5082

Rupple Excursion 315P VRT Lazy TV Prime Time A537 BNC Mr. Hojer Y036 VRT Lazy TV Curve Time T163 CRRG Masterpiece KX58Z BNC Mr. Hojer B4338 VRT Lazy TV Hot Fudge J357 DCHD Golden Buckle 144C WGPG Casanova G21 DVE Davidson Johnboy 134U

Rafter

R Gelbvieh

Carl & Jennie Reiste • 515.490.3561 23366 Idaho Place, Adel, IA 50003 creiste.rafterr@yahoo.com Richard Reiste Minburn, IA

Steve & Leann Reiste Adel, IA

a second term was Lowell Rogers, Seminary, Mississippi. The AGA Board of Directors also elected individuals to serve in leadership positions on the executive committee for 2018. Scott Starr, Stapleton, Nebraska, was re-elected as AGA president. Elected as vice president was John Carrel, Columbus, Montana. Klint Sickler, Gladstone, North Dakota, was elected as secretary and Walter Teeter, Mount Ulla, North Carolina, was re-elected as treasurer. Other members of the AGA Board of Directors are: Leland Clark, Barnard, Kansas; Dennis Gustin, Mandan, North Dakota; Doug Hughes, Max Meadows, Virginia; Andrea Murray, Kingfisher, Oklahoma; Randy Sienknecht, Gladbrook, Iowa; and Jeff Swanson, Oxford, Nebraska. Retiring members of the 2017 AGA Board of Directors were Andy LeDoux, Ree Heights, South Dakota; Neal Pearson, Lake City, South Dakota; Dustin Rippe, Belleville, Kansas; and Duane Strider, Asheboro, North Carolina. The AGA would like to thank these members for their years of service on the AGA Board of Directors. The American Gelbvieh Association is a progressive beef cattle breed association representing 1,100 members and approximately 40,000 cows assessed annually in a performance-oriented total herd reporting system. FF

The Profit Picture | 71

8TH ANNUAL

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2018

PRODUCTION SALE 2:00 PM (CT) at the ranch, Clearbrook, MN Selling 85 Gelbvieh, Balancer® Red Angus || 55 Bulls, 30 Bred Heifers Join us February 17 for our Open House and to view the offering. Sale broadcast live online at www.dvauction.com

LRL E199

LRL E64

50% Balancer® Bull

Broadcasting Real-Time Auctions

LRL E125 ET

63% Balancer® Bull

PB Red Angus Bull

DDGR Blackhawk 10B x LRSF Circle Lady Z91 767 Adj WW, 108 Ratio. Top 3% Growth, top 15% FPI.

H2R Profitbuilder B403 x 3SCC Millie Y159 831 Adj WW, 118 Ratio. Top 1% Growth, top 3% GridMaster, top 14% Herdbuilder, top 40% CE. Dam 106.92 MPPA.

CCRO Carolina Leverage 3214A x SVVG Rylee Homozygous Black Homozygous Polled. Top 15% WW and YW. Donor dam was honored as a Dam of Distinction.

LRL E89

LRL D27

LRL E105 ET

PB 94% Gelbvieh Bull CCRO Carolina Leverage 3214A x LRSF Blackstar Y70 Black Homozygous Polled. 770 Adj WW, 108 Ratio. Dam 3 Time Dam of Merit. Top 20% BW, top 15% WW and YW, top 10% FPI.

LRL E48

CCRO Carolina Leverage 3214A x LRSF Snazzy C79 847 Adj WW, 119 Ratio. Top 4% Growth Traits, 2% FPI and top 45% CE and BW.

www.mms.bz

LAZY TV Sam U451 x LRSF Impovement B136 Homo Black Double Polled. Safe to JKGF Ditka with a heifer calf. 13 traits above breed average.

LRL D24

PB 88% Gelbvieh Bull

SALE MANAGEMENT BY: Mitchell Marketing Service Chris Mitchell 334-695-1371

PB 94% Gelbvieh Bull

63% Balancer® Heifer

CCRO Carolina Leverage 3214A x DDGR Arianna 77B Homo Black Homo Polled. Top 1% Growth, top 2% FPI, top 40% BW. 14 Traits above breed average.

LRL E14

38% Balancer® Heifer Brown JYJ Redemption Y1334 x LRL Kenzie B145 Sells bred to Direct Drive. Top 15% CE , top 20% BW, top 25% Growth.

38% Balancer® Bull H2R Profitbuilder B403 x LRSF C120 Top 2% BW, top 15% milk, top 20% CE and Marbling. True heifer bull.

www.lostriverlivestockmn.com 12866 Lindberg Lake Road Clearbrook, MN 56634

Dan Larson 402-560-4052 David Larson 218-766-3323 Mark Larson 218-766-3690 Matt Larson 701-371-8305

Saturday, March 24, 2018 • 1:00 PM ET

g n i ll e S Selling 35 ts o L 5 7 Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls

Chenault Ag Center • Mt. Sterling, KY

Stout red, homozygous polled herd sire prospects sell!

Complete Dispersal of JenJoe Farms Cow/Calf Pairs Many Homozygous Black and Homozygous Polled Pairs

Selling 40

Gelbvieh & Balancer Females Numerous powerful, homozygous black herd sire prospects sell!

This homozyous black, homozygous polled Maverick donor sells with a Godfather 575C calf at side!

Semen auction to benefit the Jimmy Christopher Scholarship Fund. Please bring your semen tank to support the Juniors. Some of the breed’s top A.I. sire will be offered.

Sale managed by

Slaughter Sale Management For catalog or information contact:

David Slaughter

162 Hastings Lane Fredonia, KY 42411 Phone: (270) 556-4259 E-mail: hmslghtr@aol.com Several maternal sisters to this powerful EGL Cirie daughter will be selling.

Several ET calves out of the Ms Fortune 63X donor sell. Like us on Facebook at Slaughter Sale Management

Breeders Corner ARIZONA

Western States

MONTANA

The Prosser Family

NEVADA

Quality livestock that Work for you Gelbvieh Carcass Quality Calving Ease Tenderness Docility

Quarter Horses Want to Please Strong Bone Intelligent Athletic

1496 Goose Creek Rd. • Raynesford, MT 59469 Ranch Phone: 406.738.4220 • BarJRGelbvieh@3rivers.net BarJRGelbvieh.com

928/289-2619 • 928/380-5149 cell Winslow, AZ

www.bartbar.com • info@bartbar.com

RFI Tested Balancer®, Gelbvieh & Angus Bulls Sell Annually in April at the Ranch

Dick & Jean Williams P.O. Box 156 Orovada, NV 89425 775•272•3442

“Pounds Make Profit in Your Pocket” Bulls & Heifers Private Treaty

Barry & Dena Bolton

406.538.5280 H 406.366.0162 C 515 Knapp Lane PO Box 826 Hilger, MT 59451 dena@boltondoublebranch.com www.boltondoublebranch.com

WASHINGTON LEDGERWOOD GELBVIEH Gelbvieh • Red Angus • Balancer® Pete & Samee Charriere

2633 Hwy 12 East • Clarkston, WA 99403

COLORADO

509-566-8805 • LedgerwoodGelbvieh@gmail.com “Seedstock that work for the commercial cattleman

WYOMING Dave & Dawn Bowman 55784 Holly Rd. • Olathe, CO 81425

Wesley Brown

Females for Sale Private Treaty “Pot of Gold” Gelbvieh Angus & Balancer® Bull Sale

3794 Rd. 215 • Cheyenne, WY 82009 307-351-6453 • ninebar9@hotmail.com Purebred Bulls, Heifers & Select Embryos Performance BRED in, Not FED in!

Fri., February 23, 2018 • Montrose, CO

Jim Roelle 38330 CR 49 Peetz, CO 80747

(H): 970-334-2221 • (C): 970-520-1224 jr.plateau@hotmail.com www.plateaugelbvieh.com

74 | February 2018

9/9

Nine Bar Nine Gelbvieh

(970) 323-6833

www.bowkranch.com

Send his credentials with him... Transfer the registration on the bulls you sell and give your customers the tools to become more profitable.

Breeders Corner

Southeast States Mick Ainsworth

KENTUCKY

1613 Derby Road P.O. Box 154 Jackson Springs, NC 27281 910-652-2233 Cell: 910-638-1142 Mick’s email: longleaf@etinternet.net

VIRGINIA REGISTERED POLLED GELBVIEH C.H. Morris & Sons, LLC

Grass Grown • Carcass Quality & Performance

Roger Morris • C.W. Moss 928 Morris Road Appomattox, VA 24522 434.574.6592 Roger Morris C.W. Moss 434.315.4294 434.391.4458

Coles Bend Cattle Company

Raising registered Gelbvieh and Balancer® cattle since 2000. Trent Jones Smith Grove, KY • 270.590.5266

If you’re not here, how does your customer find you?

NORTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE Quality Gelbvieh, Angus & Balancer Cattle

DUANE & WENDY STRIDER, OWNERS

(336) 964-6277

ccrosscattle@yahoo.com • ccrosscattle.com

Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer® Cattle

ClinCh Mountain Gelbvieh

John & Liz Loy (865) 687-1968 (865) 235-8869 (C)

Bulls & Heifers for Sale

CCRO CAROLINA LEVERAGE 3214A

THE HERD THAT CONSISTENTLY PRODUCES CATTLE WITH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS AND EYE APPEAL.

ANNUAL BULL & FEMALE SALE 2ND SATURDAY IN NOV. Private Treaty Sales Available Year Round.

“Superior Gelbvieh and Balancer Cattle”

Chris & Jordan Hampton • Charles & Sue Hampton

Producing Black, Polled Genetics for Today & Tomorrow.

knollcrest@hughes.net

Office (434) 376-3567 James D. Bennett Paul S. Bennett Jim G. Bennett Brian R. Bennett Dalton G. Bennett

W L

7611 Dyer Rd. Luttrell, TN 37779 j.b.loy@att.net CCRO CAROLINA EXCLUSIVE 1230Y

www.knollcrestfarm.com

839 Davistown Rd. Celina, TN 38551 931-243-3213 H 931-510-3213 C hampton@twlakes.net

QUALITY GELBVIEH CATTLE

Fax (434) 376-7008 434/376-7299 434/941-8245 434/664-7935 434/664-8309 434/664-7946

LITTLE WINDY HILL

Farms Doug & Sue Hughes 6916 Peppers Ferry Road Max Meadows, VA 24360 C 276/620-4271 lwhf@wiredog.com

Get ready for upcoming sales! Advertise in Gelbvieh World or the Profit Picture

Registered Bulls & Replacement Females

Walter & Lee Teeter 1380 French Belk Rd. • Mt. Ulla, NC 28125 (704) 664-5784

78 | February 2018

R T G

ROCKY TOP GELBVIEH Gelbvieh & Balancer Cattle Sandy and Terry Gupton

4846 Potato Farm Rd • Crossville, TN 38571 865-250-1418 • rockytopgel@yahoo.com rockytopgelbviehfarm.com

Promote for Success! Upcoming Advertising Deadlines: April Gelbvieh World Ad deadline: March 2

Call 303-465-2333 today!

Genetic POWER Gelbvieh and Balancer® Bull Sale J Bar M Gelbvieh

•

JEMG D651

J & K Gelbvieh Farms

SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 2018 • 1:00 PM CST

SPRINGFIELD LIVESTOCK MARKETING CENTER, SPRINGFIELD, MO JKGF D610

Black Homo Polled 75% Balancer Bull Sire: DLW Alumni 7513A Dam: Lee Ann 650U

JEMG D92

JKGF D008

Homo Black Homo Polled 75% Balancer Bull Sire: HYEK Black Impact 3960N Dam: Twila Focus W607

JKGF D609

Red Double Polled 75% Balancer Bull Sire: JEMG Impact A691 Dam: JEMG Wilma 92U

JEMG D653

Homo Black Homo Polled Purebred 94% GV Bull Sire: CCRO Carolina Leverage 3214A Dam: JKGF A008

JKGF D355

Homo Black Homo Polled 75% Balancer Bull Sire: HYEK Black Impact 3960N Dam: Twila Focus W607

JEMG D966

Black Homo Polled 63% Balancer Bull Sire: Post Rock Highly Focused Dam: Lee Ann 650U

JEMG D654

Double Black Double Polled 63% Balancer Bull Sire: JEMG Silver Dollar Z645 Dam: Lee Ann 963U

Black Homo Polled 75% Balancer Bull Sire: DLW Alumni 7513A Dam: Lee Ann 650U

Selling 100 Gelbvieh and Balancer® Bulls FALL 16-18 MONTH OLD BLACK AND RED BULLS • SPRING YEARLING BLACK AND RED BULLS Many bulls selling are homozygous black and/or homozygous polled.

J BAR M GELBVIEH

Jon E. & Edna Miller 28760 Norway Rd, Stark City, MO 64866 417-632-4925 home • 417-437-5250 cell Please no Sunday calls!

J & K GELBVIEH FARMS, INC. Jerry & Karen Wilson 335 Gelbvieh Lane, Ava, IL 62907 618-521-8620

Double Black Homo Polled Purebred 94% GV Bull Sire: HYEK Black Impact 3960N Dam: Twila 353W

•

Calving Ease, Performance and Carcass bulls targeted for both the Purebred and Commercial Cattleman

•

100% of bulls selling are sired by leading AI sires

•

All bulls sell with a First Breeding Season Guarantee

LiveAuctions TV

www.mms.bz SALE MANAGEMENT BY: Mitchell Marketing Service Chris Mitchell 334-695-1371

Staff Editorial

Track Commercial Cowherd Data Like a Pro By Angela Vesco decisions are even more important, management tools can help separate the quality from the quantity and garner premiums. There is always more than meets the eye when it comes to evaluating livestock. Rancher Scott Hamilton of Hitchcock, South Dakota believes that it is crucial to understand the data that you collect. “A program like SSS is needed in the beef industry because it’s a program that makes it easier to understand your data and to let the AGA manage the data for you.”

mart Select Service (SSS) is a data management program provided to commercial cattlemen and women by the American Gelbvieh Association. The program gives commercial producers the insight into their cowherd that they may have not of otherwise had. Users of Smart Select Service can track the data of their cowherd to assist them in making selection decisions with the goal of retaining the best females possible. At just $1 annual fee per head with no breed restrictions, it’s a cost-effective way to better understand and track the performance of individual animals and on a herd basis. The objective of Smart Select Service is to help commercial herds become more efficient and successful. Efficiency is becoming more important and crucial to the success of any cattle operation. Inefficiencies are identified by taking measurements and then utilizing the data, and Smart Select Service identifies that. Managing data can sound intimidating at times, but that is where the AGA comes in to help. The program does the data management, and the AGA staff is there to discuss the data and understand it. Value-added programs and genetic technology are management tools that tend to get overlooked by producers because of the added labor and cost. However, when markets are lower, and selection

80 | February 2018

Hamilton plans on using SSS to take the next step in managing his cattle. “I need to track the cows that are producing the most efficient, high dollar calves for me. Ultimately, when times are tough, and the herd needs to be culled because of drought or other conditions, I need to have the data to back up the management decisions.” Since its inception, Smart Select Service has grown to over 3,000 head with 32 members. Once a producer becomes a member, simply go to www.gelbvieh. digitalbeef.com to login. Smart Select Service provides genetic tools, FPI™ and Stayability Score, and herd reports for the user. For more information on how you can participate in Smart Select Service please visit www.gelbvieh.org or call the office at 303.465.2333. FF

Proven Green Hills Gelbvieh Genetics THANK YOU Eagle Pass Ranch, SD for the purchase of GHGF Deanna 77D at the 2018 National Sale GHGF Deanna 77D

2018 NWSS Reserve Grand Champion Gelbvieh Female 2018 NWSS Jr. Show Reserve Grand Champion Gelbvieh Female

GHGF Cow Town D536

GHGF Whole Lotta Love 53D1 ET

2018 NWSS Reserve Champion Sr. Gelbvieh Bull Calf

2018 NWSS Reserve Champion Jr. Gelbvieh Bull

THANK YOU French Farms, KY for your purchase of GHGF Zelda 20E and GHGF Bella 58D

GHGF Bella 58D

GHGF Zelda 20E

2018 NWSS Jr. Show Champion Sr. Gelbvieh Heifer Calf

2018 NWSS Champion Gelbvieh Heifer Calf

THANK YOU Karen Eby, SC for your purchase of GHGF Priscilla 67E

Call today to visit about adding proven Green Hills Gelbvieh Genetics to your program. Walter & Lee Teeter

GHGF Priscilla 67E

2018 NWSS Jr. Show Res. Champion Gelbvieh Heifer Calf

1380 French Belk Rd. Mt. Ulla, NC 28125 (704) 664-5784 Lee’s Cell (704) 267-4638 Walter’s Cell (704) 236-7980 Justin’s Cell (704) 267-4074

Breeders Corner

Midwest States

KANSAS

Harriman Santa fe

Bar Arrow Cattle Company

LIZ OSWALD 620.662.0862 (h) ANDY OSWALD 620.662.5489 (o) 620.664.4692 (c)

HUTCHINSON, KS

KEN SCHMUCKER Herdsman 620.960.1189 (c) oswald.j@sbcglobal.net

Stuar t Jar vis

Top of the breed sales (every day)

#1 Active Balancer Sire “B006” Marb & Feeder Profit Index (feedlot performance, carcass merit)

Balancer & SimAngus Bulls & Females

Bob Harriman (660) 492-2504

26 E. Limestone Rd. • Phillipsburg, KS 67661

Private Treaty Listing www.bhsf.us

e-mail: bararrow@ruraltel.net • 785/543-5177

bharriman39@hotmail.com

Timothy Mulroy • 785-640-6401 Mayetta, KS • tim@blackgoldinc.biz

bvi Gel

“Where workin’ cattle and eye appeal come full circle” John & Carla Shearer

POST ROCK CATTLE COMPANY 3041 E. Hwy. 284, Barnard, KS 67418 Bill Clark: 785.792.6244 Leland Clark: 785.792.6208 Fax: 785.792.6250 Email: prcc@twinvalley.net

Committed to raising quality seedstock Registered Gelbvieh and Balancer® Cattle

Elmer, Brenda, Brad & Benny McWilliams Asbury, MO 64832 • 417-642-5871 • 417-529-0081(cell)

2815 Navajo Rd. • Canton, KS 67428 circle_s@hometelco.net 620.628.4621 620.654.6507 (John Cell) • 620.654.6731 (Johnny Cell)

Annual Production Sale 1st Saturday in April

diamond v gelbvieh

Purebred A.I. Seedstock Bulls and Heifers Available. Al, Mary & Nick Knapp Cell: (913) 219-6613 18291 158th Street H: (913) 724-4105 Bonner Springs, KS 66012 FAX: (913) 724-4107 e-mail: knappa@swbell.net

Randy odle

NOWACK

Cattle Company Owensville, MO

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer Cattle

1210 G Rd. Stockton, ks 67669 785.737.3319 diamondv@live.com Building Gelbvieh Genetics since 1989

Jared, Caisie, Brooke & Cameron

Gilbert & Debra

573.280.4633 573.646.3477 Bulls marketed through Seedstock Plus Go to seedstockplus.com for sale dates, catalogs & videos

MISSOURI ROCKING GV GELBVIEH

B/F Cattle Company

Specializing in Forage Raised

Polled Fullblood Gelbvieh Cattle Dr. & Mrs. Glenn Wehner 22533 Spencer Lane Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-7502

Balancer® Bulls on K-31

Judd Ranch Inc.

Dave & Cindy Judd Nick, Ginger Judd & Family Brent & Ashley Judd 423 Hwy. K-68 • Pomona, KS 66076 785/ 566-8371

82 | February 2018

Culling practices on cows/bulls second to NONE! For information, contact:

Route 1, Box 407 • Butler, MO 64730

660 • 492 • 2808

If you’re not here, how does your customer find you?

Breeders Corner

Midwest States

RogeRs Valley FaRm gelbVieh

NEBRASKA Mark & Patty Goes 39414 SW 75th Rd. Odell, NE 68415 (402) 766-3627

Breed for Tomorrow’s Cattle Today!

A Breed Leader in Tenderness & Marbling–

www.rogersvfg.com P.O. Box 51 Mendon, MO 64660 (660) 272-3805 (O) (660-375-7266 (C)

GELBVIEHV BALANCERV ANGUS

Private Treaty Bull & Heifer Sales • Orchard, NE Val Livingston • www.88ranch.com • 402-655-2288 Ronald RogeRs

email: rogers_valley_farm_feedlot@hotmail.com

Squeakin’ By-LK Farms Gelbvieh Bulls Black

Kyle & Lori Kuker Shubert, NE

Balancer Females Red

402-883-7246

402-883-2366 402-245-7512 sqblkfarms.com Facebook.com/sqblkfarms sqblkfarms@gmail.com

Gelbvieh SprinG Flood ranch balancer® Jim & Sherri Michaletz 1397 Spring Flood Rd Goodman, MO 64843 417-364-5297 (O) 479-366-1234 (C) Email: jmichal@netins.net www.springfloodranch.blogspot.com

J. J. Boehler

70948 L Rd. , Orleans, NE 68966 308-473-7342 • 308-999-0207

Cedar Top Ranch

Consistent Genetics Adding Pounds & Profit

Myron & Valerie Bahm 4375 White Oak Rd Fordland, MO 65652

Scott & Raberta Starr 212 Starr Drive • Stapleton, NE 69163

Jeff Swanson • 308/337-2235 10908 724 Road • Oxford, NE 68967 Annual Sale—Last Saturday in February

GELBVIEH

BALANCER

(H): 308-587-2293 • (C): 308-530-3900 cedartopranch@gpcom.net Eldon Starr: 1-800-535-6173 or Rich Johnson: 402-368-2209

417-753-3578(h) • 417-576-0687(c)

email: whiteoakfarms@live.com

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer®

F LY I N G H G E N E T I C S

Nebraska & Missouri Kyle Helms – NE Cody Helms – NE/MO 308-962-6940 303-842-9071

Promote Your Operation Advertise with a State Round-up ad in the the two issues of the Profit Picture and the Herd Reference issue of Gelbvieh World

For information about advertising, call Lynn at the AGA office • 303.465.2333

Missouri Oﬃce 417-309-0062

Visit us at– www.ﬂyinghgenetics.com Flying H Genetics

Bulls For The BeeF Business Gelbvieh F Balancer F Red Angus F Angus F Angus Hybrids Randy & Leslie Lemke 1757 Road 2500, (H) 402-756-7090 Lawrence, NE 68957 (C) 402-469-2284 rllemke@gtmc.net www.lemkecattle.com

Scott Wolf Travis Wolf 308.537.3588 308.529.3733 Gothenburg, NE • wolfgelbvieh@gmail.com www.facebook/wolfgelbvieh.com

If you’re not here, how does your customer find you? The Profit Picture | 83

38th Annual Bull Sale • Monday, February 26, 2018

1:00 p.m. CST (Lunch at 11) • At the Ranch • 20453 Cendak Rd, Pierre, SD

Selling 80 Black and Red, Gelbvieh and Balancer® BullS Catalog and videos at www.BeastromRanch.com & www.DVAuction.com

Born to Breed, Bred to Perform

BABR 7326E • 317/17

BEA 704E • 3/13/17

BA38 • Sire: S A V Real Performance 4876

BA63 • Sire: BEA 514C ET

BEA 703E ET • 3/18/17

Babr 7328E • 4/14/17

BA63 • Sire: BABR Branded Man 3400A

PB88 • Sire: BEA Closer 301A

BABR 7339E • 3/10/17 BA50 • Sire: VRT Lazy TV Tank A468

Bea 710E • 2/16/17 BA75 • Sire: BEA Closer 301A

Our 2018 sale offering excels in structure, function and pounds. Both the sons and daughters of our herd sires offer real world fleshing ability backed by generations of productive females that take the “guess work” out of each calf crop. The sale will be broadcast live DVAuction.com. Catalog and videos of all lots will also be available on www.BeastromRanch.com or www.DVAuction.com. Please join us February 26th. Visitors are always welcome.

Watch and bid live online at DVAuction.com Wes & Brittney Spencer 605-280-0204

Jim & Barb Beastrom 605-224-5789

Shad & Brandy Ludemann 605-280-3915

Breeders Corner IOWA

Upper Midwest States

MINNESOTA

6700 County Rd. 19 S. Minot, ND 58701 (701) 624-2051 (H) (701) 720-8823 (C)

Brandywine Farm

Rob Arnold

Email: RLAGelbvieh@aol.com

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancers®

Tom Scarponcini 30474 Brandywine Road Rushford, MN 55971

507-864-2063

Ridge Top Ranch

Gelbvieh-Angus-Balancer

Neola, Iowa

Black & Polled Private Treaty Sales

Breed-leading Performance from Quality Genetics

Kevin: 402-510-8103 Al: 402-676-5292

Gelbvieh

SFI Schafer Farms, Inc.

37740 240th Ave., Goodhue, MN 55027 Brian Schafer Lowell Schafer 1-888-226-9210 651-923-4587 brian@schaferfarm.com www.schaferfarm.com

inquist

arms (712) 288-5349 arms Gelbvieh & Red Angus

Email: rickylin@ncn.net www.linquistfarms.com

Dennis & Sherry Gustin Mandan, ND • 701/663-7266 email: gustindd@gmail.com Family www.gustinsdiamondd.com Al and Peggy Gustin

Private Treaty Bull Sale — Last Sat. in February Annually

SwenSon Gelbvieh

Ricky Linquist th 1135 190 Street inquist Fonda, IA 50540

Balancer®

Dean Swenson

17513 Hwy 10 Little Falls, MN 56345 swen@centurylink.net (h) 320.632.5848 • (c) 320.630-5536

Polled • Purebred • Red • Black

SOUTH DAKOTA

LONE OAK

Promote Your Operation

C AT T L E

Eric Ehresman 20963 30th St. Mechanicsville, IA 52306

hornsandthorns@netins.net

(319) 489-2275 (319) 480-1564

Martens Gelbvieh

Gary Martens 2126 500th St • Walnut, IA 51577 712.764.5007 (H) • 712.249.5744 (C) martensgl@yahoo.com

Advertise with a State Round-up ad in the two issues of the Profit Picture and the Herd Reference issue of Gelbvieh World Call Lynn at the AGA office • 303.465.2333

HH H

Roy & Nancy Holste 3113 260th Street Clarinda, IA 51632

712-303-0263 • 712-303-1947

Bulls and Heifers for sale Private Treaty

86 | February 2018

Bulls and Heifers for sale by private treaty (605) 354-2428 Cell gerald@adkinsgelbvieh.com Gerald & Sarah Adkins www.adkinsgelbvieh.com 41606 195th St., Carpenter, SD 57322

NORTH DAKOTA Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch Chimney Butte RanCh

Annual Bull and Female sale in March with the Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh Group

Triple H Farms

ADKINS GELBVIEH

Gelbvieh & Balancer Performance Genetics

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer Cattle Bulls • Heifers • Embryos • Semen

Jim & Barb Beastrom Brandy Ludemann, Brittney Spencer

Ph: 605-224-5789 • 605-280-7589 (Cell) jimbeastrom@mncomm.com • www.beastromranch.com

Doug & Carol Hille

3320 51 Street, Mandan, ND 58554 701-445-7383 or 701-220-2083 st

Email: chimneybutteranch@westriv.com Website: chimneybutteranch.com Annual Production Sale 1st Friday in March

Julie Maude 605.381.2803 (C) Lori Maude 303.809.3789 (C) cj_llivestock@yahoo.com Hermosa, SD Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer® Genetics from a Trusted Source

Breeders Corner

Upper Midwest States

Northeast States

Send his credentials with him...

34261 200th Street, Highmore, SD 57345 AJ Munger 605-521-4468 Commercial Sales Andy LeDoux 785-527-3188 Registered Sales 1-855-303-BULL • www.eaglepassranch.com

ILLINOIS J & K GELBVIEH FARM, INC. Jerry & Karen Wilson 335 Gelbvieh Lane, Ava, IL 62907 618-521-8620 • jkgf88@frontier.com

REGISTERED GELBVIEH AND BALANCER®

Transfer the registration on the bulls you sell and give your customers the tools to become more profitable. • Provides access to value added marketing services for customer’s calves • Commercial customers receive a free 1-year subscription to Gelbvieh World and the Profit Picture • Allows customers to track pedigree information to manage inbreeding and maximize heterosis

INDIANA

3 G Ranch

Gelbvieh Cattle For Sale Carl, Rebecca & Emily Griffiths

1577 N 600 E • Kendallville, IN 46755

260/897-2160 • ggge3g@embarqmail.com

Your call or visit is Always Welcome

Thorstenson Gelbvieh

Selby, South Dakota Annual Bull Sale 1st Saturday in March

Brian & Dee Dee 605-649-9927

Vaughn & Wendy 605-649-6262

OHIO

www.Balancerbulls.com

Keith, Janice, Dustin & Britney 605-852-2131

kvolek@venturecomm.net

We sell Breeding Stock Bulls & Females Chester Yoder

12353 Cty Rd 330 Big Prairie, OH 44611 chesyoder@yahoo.com 330-567-9232 • 330-231-0339 (cell)

350 Interlocken Blvd., Ste. 200 Broomfield, CO 80021 303-465-2333 www.gelbvieh.org

The Profit Picture | 87

Breeders Corner ALABAMA

Southern States

ARKANSAS

Kittle Gelbvieh Farms Q u a l i t y B l a ck & R e d G e l b v i e h C a t t l e

Dustin Kittle

816 Co. Rd. 36 Geraldine, AL 35974 Cell (256) 996-5822 www.kittlefarms.com

H ODGES R ANCH

Neal

(870) 426-4469 or (870) 704-9450

15702 Hodges Rd., Omaha, AR 72662 Hodgesranch@live.com

Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer Genetics Available Private Treaty Sales

OKLAHOMA LeGRAND Ed & Alberta LeGrand

809 S. Redlands Rd. • Stillwater, OK 74074

405-747-6950 • alane@c21global.com

Homo. Black, Homo. Polled • Breeding Stock Available

Koehn Cattle Co. Patrick Koehn

73243 Carter Rd., Goltry, OK 580-541-2633 koehncattlecompany@gmail.com

Gelbvieh Genetics at Work

EXCEPTIONAL BULLS & HEIFERS

TRUCKING AVAILABLE

TEXAS

Jim & Pat Dromgoole 4403 Winding River Dr. • Richmond, TX 77469 Home

(281) 341-5686 • Ranch (979) 561-8144

www.dromgoolesheaven.com Show Cattle Managers: James & Shannon Worrell • (325) 258-4656

88 | February 2018

A Cowman’s Best Friend at Calving Time! Designed for Processing Safety... - Enables quick and safe calf catching! - Convenient, step in access of producer! - Holder secures calf for easy processing! - User-friendly inside release of calf to cow! - Move calves easier with cow following! - Less cow stress, mother can see and smell calf! - Reduces danger while working new calves! - Quick Mount/Dismount on both ATV & UTVs!

Easy and Safe Catching! -

Now available with a digital scale!

Fits ATV’s and UTV’s!

Safe Processing!

ONE PERSON can now SAFELY and EASILY process calves without concern of the protective mother cow!

Safe Release!

Watch action video at

SafetyZoneCalfCatchers.com For local dealers or to order, call 877-505-0914 today!

DEALER INQUIRY INVITED

Craig Oceanak, WY “Our catcher is AWESOME! We have lots of wild range cattle, and we calve on rough ground. It is very valuable for a one-person outfit.” Laurel Gilbertson, NE “There is not a piece of equipment on the place that can equal the value of my calf catcher. I could not and would not be in business without it!” Andy Downs, MT “Best investment we ever made! We rave about the calf catcher to everyone!” Marvin Schultis, NE “My calf catcher works great! I would not be without it! Thanks for the great workmanship.” Jerry Henshaw, OK “We now have total safety confidence and are stress free when working new born calves. The scale makes it a piece of cake to record their birth weights.”

It's time to book your winter & spring Sale Dates!

Visit GelbviehAuction.com, BalancerAuction.com, or call Rance Long 918.510.3464 or Jeff Stansberry 615.479.1852 for details.

Breeders Corner

Service Center All your A.I. needs!!

Bull Barn Genetics 35 Years in business

• Gelbvieh • Angus • Red Angus • Simmental • Club Calf • Salers • Shorthorn • Dairy • Charolais • Hereford

• Sheaths • Gloves • Cito Thaw Units • Tanks • A.I. Kits • Arm Service

Ronn Cunningham AUCTIONEER P.O. Box 146 • Rose, OK 74364 918-629-9382 cellular

Eldon & Kathy Starr

210 Starr Dr • Stapleton, NE 69163 bullbarn@bullbarn.com 800-535-6173 www.bullbarn.com

Dan McCarty • Auctioneer • • Professional Ring Service • 970-481-5217

Cattlemen’s Connection

Specializing in

• Gelbvieh Semen Sales • Consulting • Order Buying (all purchases guaranteed) Roger & Peg Gatz (785) 742-3163 Call Toll-Free:1-800-743-0026

Visit our Web Site: www.cattlemensconnection.com

Are you a livestock photographer, an auctioneer, aspire to be a sale manager or graphic designer? Put your ad in Service Center and promote your services! Place your ad today!

303-465-2333

Subscription and Advertising Information SUBSCRIPTION RATES: A one-year subscription to Gelbvieh World may be purchased for $35. Members of the AGA pay $35 of their membership dues to receive a subscription to Gelbvieh World. Gelbvieh World mails on or around the 25th of the month prior to publication date. Canada and Mexico - $60 U.S. for one-year. Other foreign - $85 U.S. for one-year.

Gelbvieh World Advertising Rates

CLOSING DATE: Ad materials and editorial deadline is the 25th of the month two months prior to publication date. (December issue deadline is October 25th). Ads for sale dates prior to the 15th of the month of publication are discouraged.

Full Page $780 1/3 Page $392 Column inch $30

For Feb./Sept. (Commercial Editions) and June/ July (Herd Reference Edition) please call for deadline information.

STANDARD ISSUES: Full Page $717 1/2 Page $454 1/3 Page $347 Column inch $30

2/3 Page 1/2 Page Isand 1/4 Page

$562 $482 $268

Feb./Sept. Commercial Profit Picture 1/2 Page 1/4 Page

Color: Four Color $300 additional One Additional color $150 additional

$504 $309

ADVERTISING CONTENT: The Graphic Designer and/or the Director of Administration reserve the right to reject any or all advertising on any reasonable basis. Gelbvieh World and/or American Gelbvieh Association assumes no responsibility for the advertising content as submitted. Advertisers assume all responsibility for the accuracy and truthfulness of submitted advertising containing pedigrees or statements regarding performance. Advertisers shall indemnify and hold harmless Gelbvieh World and American Gelbvieh Association for any claims concerning advertising content as submitted.

Call today: 303/465-2333

The Profit Picture | 91

Places to Be

February 2018 Feb. 1 Feb. 5 Feb. 6 Feb. 10 Feb. 13 Feb. 15 Feb. 17 Feb. 17 Feb. 18 Feb. 19 Feb. 20 Feb. 22 Feb. 22 Feb. 23 Feb. 24 Feb. 24 Feb. 24 Feb. 24 Feb. 26 Feb. 28

Black Hills Stock Show Gelbvieh & Balancer Show & Sale, Rapid City, SD Taubenheim Gelbvieh 28th Annual Production Sale, Amherst, NE Lemke Cattle Bull and Female Sale, Lawrence, NE Prairie Hills Gelbvieh Annual Bull Sale, Dickinson, ND 45th Annual Gelbvieh Gold Sale, Des Moines, IA Gustin’s Diamond D Gelbvieh Annual Production Sale, Mandan, ND Overmiller Gelbvieh & Red Angus Annual Production Sale, Smith Center, KS Golden Buckle Gelbvieh Private Treaty Bull & Female Sale Open House, Medina, ND Lost River Livestock 8th Annual Production Sale, Clearbrook, MN The American Rancher Cedar Top Ranch Annual Bull Sale, Burwell, NE Plateau Gelbvieh Annual Bull Sale, Brush, CO Nebraska Cattlemen’s Classic Gelbvieh and Balancer Show and Sale, Kearney, NE 27th Annual Pot of Gold Bull Sale, Montrose, CO Swanson Cattle Company 31st Annual Production Sale, Oxford, NE Post Rock Cattle Company Cowman’s Kind Annual Bull Sale, Barnard, KS Seedstock Plus North Missouri Bull Sale, Kingsville, MO Squeakin’ By-LK Farms 2nd Annual Production Sale, Shubert, NE Beastrom Ranch 38th Annual Bull Sale, Pierre, SD Grund Beef Genetics Cattlemen’s Choice Bull Sale, Oakley, KS

March 2018 Mar. 2 Chimney Butte Ranch Annual Production Sale, Mandan, ND Mar. 2-4 Kentucky Beef Expo Gelbvieh & Balancer Show & Sale, Frankfort, KY Mar. 3 Thorstenson Gelbvieh & Angus 37th Annual Production Sale, Selby, SD Mar. 3 SEGA Gelbvieh Annual Bull Sale, Pierce, CO Mar. 3 Hilltop Farms Annual Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull and Female Sale, Carthage, MO Mar. 3 Flying H Genetics Roughage ‘N Ready Bull Sale, Arapahoe, NE Mar. 3 Judd Ranch 40th Annual Gelbvieh, Balancer & Red Angus Bull Sale, Pomona, KS Mar. 3 Davidson Gelbvieh & Lonesome Dove Ranch 29th Annual Bull Sale, Ponteix, Saskatchewan, Canada Mar. 3 Seedstock Plus Arkansas Bull Sale, Hope, AR

92 | February 2018

Mar. 3 Cib’s Gelbvieh Annual Bull and Female Sale, Clutier, IA Mar. 3 Flying H Genetics Grown-On Grass Nebraska Spring Bull Sale, Arapahoe, NE Mar. 5 Hojer Ranch 26th Annual Gelbvieh & Balancer Production Sale, Huron, SD Mar. 5 MLM Gelbvieh Open House & Private Treaty Sale, Superior NE Mar. 6 Warner Beef Genetics, Genetic Investment Bull Sale, Arapahoe, NE Mar. 8 Raile Gelbvieh/Balancer Bull Sale, Burlington, CO Mar. 9 Loveless Gelbvieh Quest of the West Cattle Sale, Spanish Fork, UT Mar. 10 Genetic Power Bull Sale, Springfield, MO Mar. 10 Midwest Beef Alliance Spring Bull Sale, Marshall Junction, MO Mar. 10 Rippe Gelbvieh Bull Sale, Belleville, KS Mar. 10 Seedstock Plus Red Reward Sale, Humansville, MO Mar. 12 Twin View Livestock Bull Sale, Brooks, Alberta, Canada Mar. 13 Bar Arrow Cattle Company 28th Annual Production Sale, Phillipsburg, KS Mar. 15 Kicking Horse Ranch Annual Production Sale, Great Falls, MT Mar. 17 Flying H Genetics Grown On Grass-Missouri Spring Sale, Butler, MO Mar. 17 Midwest Beef Consultants, Brooks Farms Inc., and M5 Ag Services 15th Annual Open House and Bull Sale, Carthage, IN Mar. 17 Lone Oak Cattle Sixth Annual Bull Sale, Mechanicsville, IA Mar. 20 Eagle Pass Ranch Annual Bull Sale, Highmore, SD Mar. 23 9th Annual Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull & Female Sale, Creston, IA Mar. 23 Rafter R Gelbvieh Cow Dispersal Sale, Creston, IA Mar. 24 Bluegrass Gelbvieh Invitational Bull & Female Sale, Mt. Sterling, KY Mar. 24 Harriman Santa Fe Top of the Breed Bull & Female Sale, Windsor, MO Mar. 24 Arkansas Bull Sale 3rd Annual Bull and Commercial Female Sale, Heber Springs, AR Mar. 24 Seedstock Plus South Missouri Bull Sale, Carthage, MO Mar. 24 Cranview Gelbvieh Annual Progress and Performance Sale, Rugby, ND

April 2018 Apr. 7 Apr. 14 Apr. 14

Circle S Ranch 11th Annual Going to Grass Production Sale, Canton, KS Bar T Bar Ranches Annual Bull Sale, Winslow, AZ Knoll Crest Total Performance Bull Sale, Red House, VA

Ad Index

3 G Ranch............................................87 ABCS Gelbvieh...................................86 Adkins Gelbvieh...........................41, 86 AGA.................................................. IFC American Rancher.............................85 B/F Cattle Company...........................82 Bar Arrow Cattle Company........35, 82 Bar IV Livestock.................................78 Bar JR Gelbvieh.......................58, 71, 74 Bar T Bar Ranch, Inc....................23, 74 Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch...........84, 86 Bluegrass Gelbvieh Invitational........73 Boehler Gelbvieh................................83 Bolton Cattle Ranch...........................74 Bow K Ranch................................25, 74 Brandywine Farm...............................86 Bull Barn Genetics........................30, 91 Canadian GV Assn.............................91 Cattlemen’s Connection.................1, 91 C-Cross Cattle Company..................78 Cedar Top Ranch........................ 83, BC Chimney Butte Ranch..................75, 86 C.H. Morris & Sons, LLC..................78 Circle S Ranch.....................................82 CJ&L Livestock...................................86 Clinch Mountain Gelbvieh................78 Coles Bend Cattle Company.......62, 78 Cranview Gelbvieh.......................67, 86 Cunningham, Ronn...........................91 Danell Diamond Six Ranch...............74 Davidson Gelbvieh.............................19 Diamond L Farms..............................88 Diamond V Gelbvieh.........................82 Dobson Ranch....................................95 Dromgoole’s Heaven..........................88 Eagle Pass Ranch................................87 Flying H Genetics.........................63, 83 Gelbviehauction.com.........................90 Genetic Power Bull Sale.....................79 Golden Buckle Gelbvieh....................65 Green Hills Gelbvieh....................78, 81

94 | February 2018

Grund Beef Genetics..........................37 GS Ridge Top Ranch....................45, 86 Gustin’s Diamond D Gelbvieh....59, 86 Hampton Cattle Company..........44, 78 Harriman Santa Fe.......................39, 82 Hart Farm Gelbvieh.....................38, 82 Hilltop Farms................................57, 82 Hodges Ranch.....................................88 Hojer Gelbvieh Ranch............41, 87, 93 Iowa Beef Expo...................................15 J&K Farm.......................................79, 87 J Bar M Gelbvieh..........................79, 82 Judd Ranch, Inc......................48, 49, 82 Kentucky Beef Expo...........................69 Kenyon Cattle LLC.............................45 Kicking Horse Ranch.............13, 58, 74 Kittle Gelbvieh Farms........................88 Knoll Crest Farm............................5, 78 Koehn Cattle Co.................................88 Land of Oz/ John C Oswald..............82 Lambert, Doak....................................91 Ledgerwood Gelbvieh........................74 Lemke Cattle.......................................83 Leonhardt Cattle Company...............87 Linquist Farms....................................86 Little Windy Hill Farms.....................78 Lone Oak Cattle............................22, 86 Longleaf Station..................................78 Lost River Livestock...........................72 Loveless Gelbvieh...............................76 M&P Gelbvieh....................................83 Markes Family Farms.............44, 46, 88 Martens Gelbvieh.........................45, 86 Martin Cattle Company...............44, 88 McCarty, Dan......................................91 Miller Gelbvieh...................................88 Mitchell Marketing Service...............91 MLM Gelbvieh........................16, 54, 83 Mulroy Farms......................................82 Murray Farms.....................................50 Nine Bar Nine Gelbvieh.....................74

Nowack Cattle Company...................82 Overmiller Gelbvieh..........................96 Plateau Gelbvieh.....................54, 59, 74 Post Rock Cattle Company...........7, 82 Pot of Gold Bull Sale....................43, 54 Prairie Hills Gelbvieh.....................9, 86 Rafter R Gelbvieh.........................45, 70 Raile Gelbvieh...............................47, 54 Register Farms....................................78 Ridinger Cattle Company..................61 Rippe Gelbvieh........................32, 33, 54 Rocking GV Gelbvieh........................82 Rocky Top Gelbvieh...........................78 Rogers Valley Farm Gelbvieh......53, 83 Safety Zone..........................................89 Sawtooth Gelbvieh Cattle & Hay......74 Schafer Farms, Inc..............................86 Seedstock Plus Genetics....................91 Seedstock Plus...............................77, 91 SEGA Gelbvieh...................................40 Southwest Iowa Bull Sale...................39 Spring Flood Ranch...........................83 Squeakin’ By-LK Farms...............29, 83 Swanson Cattle Company.............3, 83 Swenson Gelbvieh........................41, 86 Taubenheim Gelbvieh........................83 The 88 Ranch.......................................83 Thorstenson Gelbvieh..................17, 87 Thull Gelbvieh Farm..........................87 Triple H Farms....................................86 Triple K Gelbvieh..........................51, 82 Twin View Livestock..........................66 Volek Ranch..................................41, 87 Warner Beef Genetics .................... IBC White Buffalo Ranch..........................31 White Oak Farms...............................83 Wildwood Acres.................................87 Wilkinson Gelbvieh...........................74 Wolf Gelbvieh.....................................83 YJ Mountain Ranch............................28 Yoder’s Prairie Acres..........................87

Jim Dobson • 405.880.6173 John Dobson • 405.880.6661 Jared Bain • 580.716.4211 12460 E. River Road Kaw City, OK 74641

Dobson Ranch

Private Treaty Show Heifers, Donor Prospects and Bulls for sale year round!

Breeding Gelbvieh genetics since 1971 • AGA Member #1

DOBSON RANCH

GeneticINVESTMENT WARNER BEEF GENETICS

Bull Sale

Tuesday, March 6, 2018 • 1:00 PM ( CST ) At the Ranch, Arapahoe, NE

CED BW WW YW MILK YG 8

0.8

CW REA

FPI

28 -0.42 24 0.60 0.04 66.14

CED BW WW YW MILK YG 11 1.0

DLW 9762E

10 1.2

112

CW REA

FPI

29 0.08 38 0.49 0.57 84.16

DLW 0016E

38% Balancer® Bull Double Black, Homozygous Polled DLW Pension 5115Z x XXB 016X

107

CW REA

FPI

15 -0.24 35 0.41 0.18 73.29

DLW 359E

63% Balancer® Bull Double Black, Homozygous Polled WOHL Winter’s Cricket A17 x CCRO Ms Hot Sauce 9762W

CED BW WW YW MILK YG

1.6

140

CW REA

FPI

75% Gelbvieh Bull Homozygous Black, Homozygous Polled CCRO Carolina Leverage 3214A x DLW Ms Matron 802U

GELBVIEH & BALANCER® BULLS

1.6

140

CW REA

36 -0.48 54

FPI

064 -0.09 82.03

75% Gelbvieh Bull Homozygous Black, Homozygous Polled CCRO Carolina Leverage 3214A x DLW Ms Matron 802U

36 -0.48 54 0.64 -0.09 82.03

DLW 873E

DLW 727E1

50% Balancer® Bull Double Black, Homozygous Polled EGL Barrett B050 x DLW Ms Sandhills 359A

CED BW WW YW MILK YG

CED BW WW YW MILK YG 8

1.1

116

CW REA

FPI

27 -0.20 41 0.56 0.31 79.58

DLW 4109E

38% Balancer® Bull Double Black, Homozygous Polled SEPT Copperfield ET x DLW Ms Industry

Selling 125 lots

ANGUS BULLS

Sale broadcast live online at www.dvauction.com

WARNER BEEF GENETICS Dan and Kate Warner 42198 Road 721, Arapahoe, NE 68922

Broadcasting Real-Time Auctions

Dan Warner: 308.962.6511 Monte Warner: 308.962.6136 Darren Warner: 308.824.2950

Cedar Top Ranch 40 Annual th

Maternal Empire Bull Sale

Selling:

200 Coming 2-year-old

Balancer®, Angus & Red Angus Bulls Bulls with market topping genetics that will produce daughters with stayability and productivity.

FEBRUARY 20, 2018 • BURWELL, NE

Cedar Top Ranch Scott & Raberta Starr

212 Starr Drive • Stapleton, NE 69163 308-587-2293 • 308-530-3900 (C) email: cedartopranch@yahoo.com