October 2014 Profit Picture by American Gelbvieh Association

October 2014 | www.GELBVIEH.org

In this Issue: Commercial Herds Should Take Advantage of Crossbreeding Economic Considerations for the Cow Herd Over the Fence with Dr. Jason Ahola American Gelbvieh Association Unveils New Genetic Selection Tools Sorting Through the Science, Marketing, and Realities of DNA Tools

How the Cattle Rancher Can Use ERTs and Indexes to Make Selection Decisions The amount of information upon which to base selection decisions has continued to increase over time as has the effort to develop tools to best use this information. By R. Mark Enns FROM A BEEF industry historical perspective, initially information for selection was primarily based on pedigree, then improvements came with performance recording and the original efforts of the Beef Improvement Federation to set guidelines to

additional information gleaned by large-scale genetic evaluation, the resulting EPD and now DNA marker information, may better characterize animals genetically, the amount of information is often overwhelming when trying to make the best selection and

What is needed is a good method to wade through voluminous amounts of information to focus on improving beef production profitability. standardize that performance information. Later on, with advancements in computing, combined with the historical databases of performance information, genetic evaluation systems were developed to calculate expected progeny differences (EPD). Now with advancements in DNA technologies, genomic breeding value information is available. While the

purchase decisions. What is needed is a good method to wade through voluminous amounts of information to focus on improving beef production profitability. Two approaches to wading through the wealth of information have been developed and outlined below are: economically relevant traits (ERT) and selection indices.

Continued on page 6

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IFC | October 2014

Scott & Raberta Starr 212 Starr Drive • Stapleton, NE 69163 308-587-2293 • 308-530-3900 (C) email: cedartopranch@gpcom.net

24th Annual Judd Ranch

Cow Power Gelbvieh & Balancer Female Sale ®

Saturday, October 11 • 12:00 noon • Pomona, Kansas Free Trucking in U.S. on Purchases of $15,000+

99 Homozygous Polled Females Sell

There are cows; then there are females like this beautiful Judd Ranch first calf heifer, and note her powerhouse bull calf at side. The difference: fertility, maternal ability, performance, eye appeal, teat and udder structure. The list goes on and on, including 15 consecutive years as #1 Dam of Merit/Dam of Distinction breeder and owner (1998 – 2012). Plus cows that produced 267 bulls that sold in our March bull sale, with an 82 lb. average birth weight/861 lb. average weaning weight. Please join us on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Ranch when 100–plus Judd Ranch (spring & fall/bred & open) females will be sold at auction. A vast majority of the offering will be homozygous polled and every female is Judd Ranch bred and raised.

Put a Judd Ranch Female to work in your herd and see the difference

Judd Ranch Inc. Dave & Cindy Judd Nick, Ginger Judd & Family Brent, Ashley Judd & Family

423 Hwy. K-68 • Pomona, KS 66076 785/ 566-8371 or 785/566-3770 Visit our web site: www.juddranch.com

Catalog available online at www.juddranch.com after September 15th. Call Cattlemen’s Connection Toll-free 1-800-743-0026 for your sale catalog. The Profitpicture | 1

Contents Features How the Cattle Rancher Can Use ERTs and Indexes to Make Selection Decisions FC Both the concept of economically relevant traits and the selection index can help producers reduce the amount of information needed to make good selection decisions. By Mark Enns

Commercial Herds Should Take Advantage of Crossbreeding 12 There are not many free lunches in the cattle business, and a quality crossbred cow herd in a good crossbreeding program using high-quality herd sires is as close to a free lunch as it gets. By Dr. Jane Parish

Economic Considerations for the Cow Herd

Success in the cattle industry does not happen on accident. Decisionmakers at the most profitable operations optimize resources. By King Ranch® Institute for Ranch Management

Over the Fence with Dr. Jason Ahola

American Gelbvieh Association Unveils New Genetic Selection Tools

The American Gelbvieh Association is committed to providing the most reliable genetic selection tools to its member and commercial customers. Several new EPDs and indexes were released in September with the fall 2014 international cattle evaluation.

Sorting Through the Science, Marketing, and Realities of DNA Tools for Genetic Prediction

Genomic technology improves the accuracy on an animal’s EPDs to be able to better rank animals for selection. By Dr. Milt Thomas

Bachman Cattle Farms - A Progressive Approach to Red Genetics

The goal of Bachman Cattle Farms in Chillicothe, Mo., is to “develop the finest in red breeding stock.” By Megan Slater

10 Inspired Questions for Perpetuating Generational Ranches

Dr. Jason Ahola of Colorado State University discusses the benefits of crossbreeding in today’s beef industry and the importance of selecting replacement females. By Megan Slater

To navigate generational transitions of the family ranch it isn’t always important to have all the answers, but it is crucial to ask the right questions. By Dave Specht

Adding Value with Balancer® Genetics

Former Gelbvieh Junior Members Help Improve Cattle Population in Russia

Through strict selection and using quality Balancer® genetics, Gale Rippey of Galax, Va., has improved the productivity of his cow herd and has added value to both his feeder calves and replacement heifers. By William McIntosh

The American Gelbvieh Junior Association can open many doors for its members. Three former members spent the summer doing reproductive work on the Stevenson Sputnik Ranch located near Voronezh, Russia. By Megan Slater

Request Your Free Subscription The Profit Picture is the commercially-focused tabloid publication published in October and February 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, 10900 Dover Street, Westminster, CO 80021. Comments and feedback welcome to jennifers@gelbvieh.org or 303465-2333.

2 | October 2014

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The Profitpicture | 3

Contents Editorial

In Every Issue

Gaining an Economic Edge By Rob Arnold

The Right Cow For Your Environment By Dr. Bob Hough

Places to Be

Ad Index

Breeders Sections News American Gelbvieh Association Releases New Search Tools

Why Deworming in the Fall Makes Sense

New Economic Selection Indexes for Gelbvieh and Balancer® Animals

Gelbvieh Breeders Recognized for Superior Females

American Gelbvieh Association Releases Genomic-Enhanced EPDs

Rising Calf Prices Warrant Attention to Fetal Protection

Southern Breeders Northeast Breeders Upper Midwest Breeders Western Breeders Midwest Breeders Southeast Breeders Service Center

50 52 56-57 61 66-67 71 75

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

10900 Dover Street F Westminster, CO 80021 Main phone: 303-465-2333 F Fax: 303-465-2339 www.GELBVIEH.org F info@gelbvieh.org Facebook: American Gelbvieh Association

ASSOCIATION STAFF Myron Edelman Executive Director myrone@gelbvieh.org (ex. 480)

Dianne Coffman Director of Administration diannec@gelbvieh.org (ex. 479)

Susan Willmon Director of Breed Improvement susanw@gelbvieh.org (ex. 484)

Kari Otteman Breed Improvement Data Analyst kario@gelbvieh.org (ex. 483)

Dolores Gravley Customer Services doloresg@gelbvieh.org (ex. 481)

Jennifer Scharpe Communications Specialist jennifers@gelbvieh.org (ex. 485)

Patti Showman Customer Services pattis@gelbvieh.org (ex. 478) Carrie Tilghman Junior Activities Coordinator carriet@gelbvieh.org 270-404-0828

4 | October 2014

Lynn Valentine Gelbvieh Media Productions lynnv@gelbvieh.org (ex. 486) William McIntosh Commercial Marketing Specialist williamm@gelbvieh.org 502-867-3132

Rob Arnold, President (2012) Minot, ND • 701-624-2051 rlagelbvieh@aol.com

Duane Strider, Secretary (2012) Asheboro, NC • 910-428-4568 ccrosscattle@yahoo.com

Dan Warner, V. President (2013) Beaver City, NE • 308-962-6511 dan@warnerbeef.com

Neal Pearson, Treasurer (2012) Lake City, SD • 605-448-5653 njpearson@venturecomm.net

DIRECTORS Brian Dunn (2013) St. John, KS • 620-549-6516 dunnfarm@hotmail.com Emily Griffiths (2014) Kendallville, IN • 260-242-1552 ejgriffiths.eg@gmail.com Bob Hart (2014) Kansas City, KS • 816-225-8530 bhart@hartfarm.net Andy LeDoux (2012) Agenda, KS • 785-732-6564 ledouxranch@hotmail.com David Martin (2014) Judsonia, AR • 501-728-4950 martincattleco@windstream.net Bob Prosser (2012) Winslow, AZ • 928-289-2619 info@bartbar.com

Ronnie Rogers (2013) Mendon, MO • 660-375-7266 rogers_valley_farm_feedlot@hotmail.com Scott Starr (2013) Stapleton, NE • 308-587-2293 cedartopranch@gpcom.net Walter Teeter (2014) Mt. Ulla, NC • 704-236-7980 waltert@republicrefrigeration.com Grant Thayer (2014) Ramah, CO • 303-621-2058 grant@jumpingcowgelbvieh.com Gary Tilghman (2013) Glasgow, KY • 270-678-5695 gtilghma@uky.edu

The Profitpicture | 5

Continued from front cover

Economically Relevant Traits The best tool for selection of genetically superior seedstock is EPD. Time and again these have proven to be successful in producing genetic change in livestock populations. That said, as with performance information, the number of EPD has grown from those for birth, weaning, and yearling weight; and milk production to more than 15 EPD in some cases over the last 30 years.

EPD could be calculated; yet little consideration was given to the value of those EPD. In several instances, the EPD produced often reflected the same ultimate trait of interest. For instance, birth

weight and calving ease EPD are both related to or reflect the ability of an animal’s progeny to be born unassisted. Having two EPD for the same trait of interest makes for a less accurate decision when both are

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6 | October 2014

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levels of dystocia, calf survival and heifer rebreeding rates increase resulting in greater income. Therefore, calving ease is the ERT. Conversely birth weight is only an indicator of calving difficulty.

The concept of ERT can help identify where selection pressure should be applied and what data has little value in the selection process, in turn reducing the amount of information needed to make a good selection decision.

The increase in number of EPD was based on the presumption that EPD for more traits helped better characterize the genetic capability of potential replacement animals (Bourdon, 1988). In many instances, EPD were produced because data were cheaply and easily collected and therefore

used simultaneously for selection. The multitude of EPD and a plethora of data on individuals with actual performance and pedigree information provided in sale catalogs results in a difficult

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challenge for the producer trying to make a good selection decision. Recognizing this problem Golden et al. (2000) developed the concept of the economically relevant trait (ERT) in an effort to educate and aid producers in starting to wade through the wealth of data representing animals’ genetic merit. At the base level, an ERT is a trait that is directly associated with a cost of or income from production. From a genetic improvement perspective, another way to illustrate an ERT is to consider making a genetic change in performance for a specific trait. If we can change performance in that trait one unit and that change results in a change in either income or expense, then the trait is an ERT. On the flip side, if we change a trait one unit and costs or income may or may not change, then the trait is likely an indicator trait. Dystocia, or calving difficulty provides an excellent example of the difference between an ERT and an indicator trait. The two EPD related to dystocia are birth weight and calving ease. Using both can result in a less accurate selection decision than using the one that represents the ERT. What the commercial producer wants is to reduce dystocias or incidences of calving difficulty. At lower

Reflecting a bit on calving out heifers, often there are heifers that need assistance delivering an 80 pound calf, yet in other heifers delivering an 80 pound calf is no problem. Producers often consider this comparison and immediately respond that there are a whole host of other factors involved in determining whether a heifer calves unassisted or not. Potential influences beyond birth weight include pelvic size, calf shape, and heifer “try”—some heifers just seem to give up. The point is that calf birth weight does not explain all of the differences in why a heifer requires or does not require assistance at calving. Birth weight is only an indicator of calving ease and therefore should not be the focus of selection decisions designed to reduce dystocias. Calving ease is the ERT and therefore calving ease EPD reflects the ERT – calving ease— and should be used for selection decisions. As a bit of an aside, calving ease EPD are calculated with both birth weight and calving ease data, so the EPD actually account for all information on dystocias and successful deliveries. The concept of ERT can help identify where selection pressure should be applied and what data has little value in the selection

POST ROCK CATTLE COMPANY

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Captain will have another pounds heavy and performance strong sire group this year in the Purebred group.

BULL FEMALE SALE

Future Investment will have the largest sire group this year with both Purebred and Balancer® sons selling. A truly impressive sire group that have great EPDs.

An example of the Future Investment sons selling. Future Investment was the most sought after and high selling sire group a year ago. Several ET sons of our top donors will sell March 21.

Three ET flush brothers sell to this 10X x 223M2 son. Incredible EPDs and “Herd Bull Kind” sell in volume.

A new sire will be Post Rock Shark. There are some really good bulls in this year’s sale that are sure to be sale features in the Purebred division.

More than 50 homozygous black, homozygous polled Balancer® bulls sell with the extra performance and muscle that you’ve come to expect from Post Rock, like this Stockman son who sold a year ago.

COWMAN’S KIND SALE FEATURES •

• • Top 10% calving ease, top 10% carcass and top 10% growth EPDs in a homozygous black, homozygous polled package made this a popular Balancer® bull in the 2013 sale. He truly represents the Post Rock program.

• • •

Outcross genetics with extra rib, muscle shape and bone that is hard to find. This year’s sale has many new genetic packages with the substance and punch that you demand.

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INCREDIBLE SELECTION PRESSURE: The top 120 bulls from nearly 600 planned matings sell. 25% of the bull offering are ET produced. Large sire groups offer many chances to purchase 1/2 and 3/4 brothers, plus flush brothers. Bulls are developed in large open lots on a high roughage ration. Free delivery or free care until May 1 on all bulls. First breeding season death and injury guarantee. Customer service and customer satisfaction have kept us in the seed stock business for more than 55 years.

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 “Where calving ease, performance and eye-appeal come together.”

SALE MANAGEMENT BY: Mitchell Marketing Service

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The Profitpicture | 7

process, in turn reducing the amount of information needed to make a good selection decision. To use the concept in this manner, the producer first needs to consider their production and marketing system—what are the sources of income? What EPD represent those traits? Then consider what traits directly influence that producer’s costs of production. That complete list of traits (and their EPD) are the ERT and should be the basis for making selection decisions. The other traits are likely indicators and should not be used when making selection decisions—they won’t change profitability. As an example application, let’s use a cow-calf producer selling calves at weaning through an auction. The value of those calves

is predominantly determined by weight of the calf. In that case, the weaning weight EPD therefore reflects an ERT and should contribute to selection decisions. The yearling weight EPD does not contribute nor does the birth weight EPD— they are indicators. Now consider a neighboring ranch that retains and feeds its own calves, selling directly to the packer on a grid basis. In this scenario, income is based on carcass weight, quality and yield grades. For this WW EPD is no longer economically relevant but rather carcass weight, quality and yield grades are. Appropriate ERT are operation dependent and the concept helps narrow information for selection. The concept of ERT can help the producer to focus selection

Steps for Selecting the Best Index for Your Production System (NBCEC) 1. Identify your production and marketing system a. When will the animals be marketed (at what age)? b. How will the animals be marketed (private treaty, public auction, etc)? c. What is the current performance and genetic level of your herd? 2. Identify an index appropriate to the production system outlined in #1 a. Questions to be addressed i. What traits are included in the index? ii. What are the relative economic values used to weight the traits (or at least what data is used to estimate cost of production and value of income sources) 3. Decide on the appropriate index for evaluation based on the most similarity between points 1 and 2. 4. Evaluate index based on past performance and economic data (very difficult, so is listed as “optional”)

8 | October 2014

Selection indexes combine EPD and the economic value of each ERT into a single value that represents an animal’s total genetic worth, or aggregate breeding value, for those traits. That value is then used like an EPD—the difference in index value predicts differences in progeny performance. pressure on what will directly influence profitability. Discarding information, which in the end, will not have a consistent influence on operation profitability. Yet there is another tool that takes ease of selection one step further—the selection index.

Selection Index The selection index is a relatively old technology (Hazel, 1943) yet the methodology combined with today’s EPD for ERT make an extremely attractive option for making profitable replacement selection and purchase decisions. Selection indexes combine EPD and the economic value of each ERT into a single value that represents an animal’s total genetic worth, or aggregate breeding value, for those traits. That value is then used like an EPD—the difference in index value predicts differences in progeny performance. When the value of the index is in dollars the difference reflects differences in progeny value or profitability. But like EPD, there are often a variety of indexes available. The key to successful use lies in identifying the index that best suits your operation while also remembering that with selection indexes the goal is to improve multiple traits simultaneously. Most currently available indexes are “generalized” meaning they are

designed to be used by multiple breeders for specific marketing endpoints. These typically use industry economic averages to determine economic weights with most of the data historical in nature. Yet there is considerable evidence showing index selection is very successful (MacNeil, 2003; Enns and Nicoll, 2008). The challenge for commercial producers is to choose the index that best fits their production and marketing system and then to use that appropriately, realizing that different traits will be emphasized in different indexes. To select the best index, the breeder must have identified the primary marketing endpoint for their animals (e.g. sale at weaning, after backgrounding, fats sold on a live weight basis, or marketing on a grid). For instance, a cow-calf producer selling weaned calves through an auction should select an index that emphasizes weaning weight while someone marketing calves on a quality grid after retained ownership should select an index emphasizing quality grade and carcass weight. Once those marketing conditions are identified, compare that knowledge with the traits in each available index. The index with the most agreement with your production system is the appropriate index. The process is outlined in the numbered steps on page 8 as taken from the National Beef Cattle

Selling 37 Spring Calving Females & 6 Bulls October 18, 2014 12 Noon Midwest Beef Alliance Bull & Female Sale Mid-Missouri Livestock Center Marshall Junction, MO • Just South of I-70 on Highway 65

9 Reg. Bred Heifers A.I. May 20, 2014 P.E. May 27 to July 18, 2014

RVFG VALLEY LAD 079A 13 months old Purebred BW: 72# EPDs Fall, 2014 CED BW WW 12 0.7 77

YW 114

M 31

TM 69

CEM 8

SRGC SARA’S YES MAN RY1A

WW: 679# ST 12

YG CW -0.15 38

14 months old PC 75% REA 0.44

MB 0.16

EPDs Fall, 2014 CED BW WW 9 1.3 70

YW 98

M 23

BW: 76# TM 58

CEM 4

WW: 616# ST 7

YG CW -0.19 29

REA 0.42

MB -0.06

23 Reg. Bred Cows P.E. May 27 to July 18, 2014

5 Commercial Cows P.E. May 27 to July 18 , 2014 50% Gelbvieh

4 Reg. Yearling Bulls Good Calving Ease • Big Growth Excellent Carcass & Tenderness

ARSH RED RISE 17 months old Purebred BW: 74# EPDs Fall, 2014 CED BW WW 10 0.2 68

YW 89

M 28

TM 62

CEM 5

WW: 688# YW:1056# ST 8

YG CW -0.29 22

2 Reg. 18 Month Bulls

RVFG VALLEY LAD TX24A REA 0.56

MB -0.07

12 months old Balancer® BW: 83# EPDs Fall, 2014 CED BW WW 11 1.1 80

YW 116

M 28

TM 68

CEM 7

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WW: 701# ST 4

YG CW -0.12 40

REA 0.34

MB 0.08

Sale Catalog and Videos of all our sale lots will be on our website 7 days before the sale.

www.RogersVFG.com Let us show you how Rogers Valley Farm genetics can improve the performance of your herd. Call Ronnie Rogers at 660-375-7266. Ronnie Rogers P. O. Box 51, Mendon, MO 64660 • Email rogers_valley_farm_feedlot@hotmail.com • www.RogersVFG.com • (660) 272-3805 • cell (660) 375-7266 2014 Rogers Profit Pict_Oct-2.indd 1

9/12/14 1:02 PM

The Profitpicture | 9

Evaluation Consortium’s Sire Selection Manual (www.nbcec. org): For those skeptical of index selection, item number 4 provides a measure of confidence in a particular index, answering the question “Does this index produce results consistent with my

Conversely, generalized indexes often do not emphasize all traits that you deem important. In those cases it is necessary to use EPD for those additional traits in addition to the index value to emphasize those traits not included. Even with the need to emphasize those traits separately, an index will

To select the best index, the breeder must have identified the primary marketing endpoint for their animals

production system?” Realize that with generalized indexes, even for one suited to your marketing system, some traits may be emphasized that you do not need to change. For instance, weaning indexes often value calving ease. If your production system has no problem with calving difficulty, further change in that trait is not be required.

10 | October 2014

combine information on multiple traits simultaneously to ease the process of selection and help the commercial producer limit the amount of information considered to make good selection decisions.

Conclusion Both the concept of economically relevant traits and the selection index can help

producers reduce the amount of information needed to make good selection decisions. By reducing the number of traits considered, the producer can make faster progress than otherwise possible. The use of selection indexes further reduces the amount of information needed to make profitable selection decisions.

Literature Cited Bourdon, R. M. 1998. Shortcomings of current genetic evaluation systems. J. Anim. Sci. 76:2308-2323. Enns, R. M., and G. B. Nicoll. 2008. Genetic change results from selection on an economic breeding objective in beef cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 86: 3348-3357. Enns, R.M. 2010. Selection Decisions: Tools for economic improvement beyond EPD. In: Beef Sire Selection Manual, 2nd Edition. National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium. Eds: M.K. Nielsen. Pp. 42-49. Golden, B.L., D.J. Garrick, S. Newman, and R.M. Enns. 2000.

Economically Relevant Traits: A framework for the next generation of EPDs. Proceedings of the 32nd Research Symposium and Annual Meeting of the Beef Improvement Federation. Pp. 2-13. Hazel, L.N. 1943. The genetic basis for construction of selection indexes. Genetics 28:476. MacNeil, M.D. 2003. Genetic evaluation of an index of birth weight and yearling weight to improve efficiency of beef production. JAS 81:2425-2433. Editor’s note: R. Mark Enns is with the Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University. The above proceedings are reprinted with permission from the Range Beef Cow Symposium XXII. An explanation of the EPDs and indexes provided by the American Gelbvieh Association are described on page 46 of this issue.

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Angus H Polled Herefords H H Gelbviehs H Balancers H Baldies H H

KCF Bennett Harland X337

Gelbvieh Sale Bulls Average: CE 9

+30 Gelbvieh Sires: BW -0.4 REA +0.52 KCF Bennett U271 WW +77 MARB -0.07 KCF Bennett X593 YW +110 FPI Index +74.03 Milk

Balancer Sale Bulls Average: CE 13

Milk +30

BW -1.2

REA +0.52

WW +67

MARB +0.41

YW +105

FPI Index +81.32

Balancer Sires: KCF Bennett U556 KCF Bennett W666 KCF Bennett Y353 KCF Bennett T297 KCF Bennett U271

Angus Sale Bulls Average: Angus Sires: CE +9

CW +33

BW +0.7 MARB +0.71 WW +60

REA +0.66

YW +106 $W +43.21 MILK +29 $B +92.14

KCF Bennett Southside KCF Bennett Absolute Baldridge Waylon W34 Connealy Beacon Connealy Contrast Connealy Earnan 076E LLF Validation GAR Progress

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SAV Final Answer 0035 KCF Bennett Homestead PA Power Tool 9108 Rito 9M25 Connealy Right Answer 746 KCF Bennett Energizer GAR Fusion KCF Bennett Commonwealth Connelay Cultivator

Polled Hereford Sale Bulls Average: Polled Hereford Sires: CED +4.4

REA +0.60

BW +1.9

MARB +0.25

WW +63

+$28 YW +104 CHB Index +$37 Milk +27 BMI Index

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The Profitpicture | 11

Feature

Commercial Herds Should Take Advantage of Crossbreeding What is heterosis? Heterosis, hybrid vigor, free lunch -- whatever it is called, the advantages of crossbreeding in the cow herd can be significant for the operation. Unfortunately, many commercial cow-calf herds are not taking optimal advantage of crossbreeding systems. By Dr. Jane Parish, Specialist Mississippi State University IN MANY HERDS, the same breed of bull has been used exclusively or nearly exclusively for many consecutive breeding seasons. In these herds, the commercial cattle are essentially

grade straightbred cattle. These and many other herds with less than optimal maternal heterosis would benefit greatly by increasing the heterosis in future calf crops and replacement females.

MURRAY FARMS Your gelbvieh and balancer cattle

for this generation and the next

Look for our cattle March 28, 2015 in Oklahoma State Association Sale at McAlester, OK Matt & Andrea Murray 20055 N 2730 Rd â&#x20AC;˘ Kingfisher, OK 73750 murrayfarm@pldi.net (405)368-9601 - cell (405)729-4216 - home 12 | October 2014

So what is heterosis? Heterosis is simply the increase in productivity from crossbreeding. With heterosis, calves do not just perform as an average of their parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; performance levels. The calves displaying heterosis perform at a greater level than the average of their parents. Heterosis is sometimes confused with heritability. Heritability is the additive genetic component of traits. It is a focus of genetic improvement programs, the proportion of differences among cattle due to their genes that transfer to their calves. An animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s genes play a greater role in affecting highly heritable traits (such as carcass traits) compared with less heritable traits (such as reproductive traits). Breeders cannot change the heritability of traits, but they can improve the level of heterosis in their herds through implementation of planned crossbreeding programs. Heterosis can occur for a wide variety of performance traits. However, it tends to be greatest for traits with low heritability and least for traits with high heritability. Thus, reproductive traits tend to show the largest improvements from crossbreeding systems that increase heterosis. So,

even though it is more difficult to improve reproduction than carcass merit in a herd through individual animal selection and culling, it is easier to improve reproduction than carcass merit through crossbreeding.

What is maternal heterosis? Two types of heterosis are possible: individual (crossbred calf) heterosis and maternal (crossbred cow) heterosis. By using crossbred cows in the breeding herd, producers can take advantage of both types of heterosis. By capitalizing on maternal heterosis through use of crossbred cows, heterosis has its greatest economic impact on the cow-calf operation. The greatest improvements in using crossbred dams rather than straightbred dams involve reproductive traits. Higher reproductive rates, longer productive lives (by more than one year), and less frequent replacement need are documented advantages of crossbred cows over straightbred cows. In addition to having more calves because of improved reproduction, crossbred cows tend to have greater calf survival rates and greater calf weaning weights. As an example, after several generations, a simple two-breed rotational cross-breeding system results in retained heterosis stabilizing at about 67 percent of maximum heterosis. A 16 percent increase in the pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed to breeding is expected above the average of the parent breeds. So, if 500 pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed is the expected average of two straightbred breeds,

The Profitpicture | 13

then using those breeds together in a two-breed rotational crossbreeding system will result in 580 pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed. This is an 80-pound improvement just by taking advantage of heterosis.

Which crossbreeding system is best? A variety of crossbreeding schemes are available. They vary by number of cattle breeds needed, number of breeding pastures needed, frequency of changing sire breeds, whether or not replacement heifers are retained within the system or purchased from outside the system, and levels of maternal and calf heterosis attained. Amongst common crossbreeding systems, a terminal cross of F1 females (first generation cross of sire breed A and cow breed B) bred to bull breed C offers the greatest advantage from heterosis. It offers maximum maternal heterosis and results in a 24 percent increase in the pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed above the average of the parent breeds. So, if 500 pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed is the expected average of the three straightbred breeds, then using those breeds together in a terminal cross of F1 females will result in 620 pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed -- a whopping 120-pound improvement from heterosis. The number of breeds used impacts retained heterosis in the crossbred cow herd. Relative to an F1 cow with 100 percent retained heterosis, a 3-breed rotation produces crossbred cows

with about 86 percent retained heterosis. In comparison, a two-breed rotation produces crossbred cows with about 67 percent retained heterosis. Therefore, the inclusion of the third breed in the crossbreeding system increased the amount of retained heterosis in the crossbred cows over what it would have been using just two breeds.

Similarly, the frequency of bull breed rotation also influences retained heterosis in the crossbred cow herd. Using a two-breed rotation, bulls of breed A are bred to females of breed B. Then the daughters of this cross are bred to bulls of breed B in the next generation. In following generations, females sired by breed A are bred to bulls of breed B, and vice-versa. Compare this system to a two-breed rotation where bulls are only rotated every four years. Under the four-year bull rotation system, some females are bred to bulls of the same breed as their sire in some years. Instead of achieving the 67 percent retained heterosis of the two-breed rotation described previously, retained heterosis of the the four-year bull rotation system approaches 50

Breeders

“Superior Gelbvieh and Balancer Cattle”

Chris & Jordan Hampton Charles & Sue Hampton 839 Davistown Rd. • Celina, TN 38551 102 Merlin Dr. • Georgetown, KY 40234

Breeding Gelbvieh since 1989

14 | October 2014

There are a number of practical considerations in choosing an appropriate crossbreeding system. The number of breeds that could be optimally utilized depends upon

Higher reproductive rates, longer productive lives (by more than one year), and less frequent replacement need are documented advantages of crossbred cows over straightbred cows.

Kentucky & Tennessee

Steve, Ashley, Jordan & Jason McIntosh 502-868-5726 Clifford & Faye McIntosh 502-863-1135

percent. Thus, because females are sometimes bred to their sire breed, the retained heterosis is less than with the more frequent sire breed rotation.

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

herd size and number of breeding pastures available. A ten-cow herd does not need three herd sires of different breeds onsite at any one time, but a 100-cow herd might want to consider working three breeds of bulls into a crossbreeding system. Alternately, a small herd could take advantage of a terminal crossbreeding system by purchasing crossbred females.

Are high-quality breeding stock needed for crossbreeding? The marketability of the calves produced from the different crossbreeding systems depends in part upon breed selection. It also depends upon the quality of the breeding stock. A well-planned crossbreeding system will not overcome poor bull and semen selection, so consider using quality sires as a critical aspect of crossbreeding. Heterosis should be an important consideration in replacement female selection and a driving factor in bull breed selection. Well-designed crossbreeding systems deliver proven benefits. Take the time to develop an appropriate crossbreeding system for the operation’s resource base and marketing plan. After all, there are not many free lunches in the cattle business, and a quality crossbred cow herd in a good crossbreeding program using highquality herd sires is as close to a free lunch as it gets. nnn

Less Time Making Hay…

University research estimates it is possible to reduce feed inputs by 20% by selecting for feed efficiency; our bulls are efficiency tested.

Selling 200 Feed Efficiency tested Gelbvieh, Angus & Balancer® bulls Saturday, March 7, 2015 At the Ranch Exciting progeny from this new herdsire will sell.

BEA Common Sense 200Z ET

AMGV 1232187 CED: 9 BW: 1.6 WW: 70 YW: 109 Milk: 34 MARB: 0.29 REA: 0.48 FPI: 77.67

Thorstenson Gelbvieh & Angus

LAZY TV RANCH LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

12980 Cedar Rd., Selby, SD 57472

Vaughn & Wendy

Brian & DeDee

605/649-6262 605/649-9927 Fax: 605/649-7361 • E-mail: vwthor@sbtc.net

www.BalancerBulls.com

The Profitpicture | 15

Editorial

Gaining an Economic Edge With record high prices, there isn’t anything much more exciting than weaning a calf crop you have invested the last two seasons in raising. The market is fantastic for everyone involved in the beef business and Gelbvieh influenced genetics are having a positive impact on the beef business. By Rob Arnold JUST LIKE EVERY other business, variations of quality and price exist in the marketplace. Do you know how your cattle influence the beef business?

groups of cattle. For all practical purposes this information:

With the ability to collect and retain data, feedlots are keeping track of the cattle that they feed including where the cattle came from, the genetics, how they performed, their profit/loss, etc. They have known for a long time that some cattle perform better than others in the feedlot and on the rail. But it hasn’t been until recent years (since programs like CAB and others with large premiums) that they have put all the pieces together to track the most profitable

2. Puts a price ceiling on cattle that have a low return or a negative return to the feedlot.

1. Puts a price floor under cattle that have a very high return to the feedlot; and

With prices at historic levels, variations in price will also be historically high. Cedar Top Ranch recently marketed over 1,000 head of Balancer® feeder yearlings on Superior Livestock Auction that weighed 800 to 900 pounds. With a very sizeable amount of calves marketed that day, Cedar Top Ranch topped

LONE OAK CATTLE

Remaining relevant in a very dynamic and fluid industry is not easy. A priority for the American Gelbvieh Association is to keep Gelbvieh at the forefront of the beef industry. Creating cattle that have a greater demand in the marketplace generates higher prices and greater revenues. We believe the maternal value, the performance value, and the genetic value of Gelbvieh influenced cattle will give producers the economic edge to survive and thrive in a very dynamic marketplace. nnn

Moderate, Fertile, Performance Cattle

“We’ve been breeding ‘em and feeding ‘em for 21 years and we strive to make our customers money, one head at a time!”

Bull Sale March 21, 2015 • at our home 100 bred heifers available now by private treaty Gelbvieh & Balancer cattle • Ask about our calf buy back program

16 | October 2014

the sale in both the 800 pound and 900 pound weight classes, with a $39 per cwt. price spread on the 800 pound steers. That figures out to a $312 difference when comparing the top end to the bottom end. It is no coincidence that the same buyer has bought these calves for the past four years. Based on prior performance, this buyer understands that he can afford to pay a premium price for a group of calves that will outperform all the other calves that were offered for sale that day.

LONE O AK C AT T L E

Eric Ehresman 20963 30th St. • Mechanicsville, IA 52306 hornsandthorns@netins.net 319-489-2275 • 319-480-1564

The Profitpicture | 17

Feature

Economic Considerations for the Cow Herd Cow-calf producers are continually challenged to maintain the profitability of their operations despite the dynamic nature of weather patterns, cattle markets, and the cost of input commodities and services. GOOD MANAGERS MAKE a multitude of small decisions to collectively keep costs low relative to the value of the weaned calves they produce. However, the real separation between “good” and “excellent” management is that the very best managers also understand and find leverage in the production system that have long-standing systematic benefit to the operation. Those producers with a clear view of the financial position of the ranch and the drivers of net income and return on assets will be best prepared to make the high leverage decisions with long-term benefit to the operation. This paper discusses the impact of key cow herd performance criteria on the net income of cowcalf enterprises, and is intended to help managers prioritize the areas in their unique operation that will likely yield the largest improvement in profitability if altered. Standardized Performance

Analysis (SPA) benchmark information is used as a basis to estimate the impact of some management decisions on key cow herd performance criteria and net income.

What is driving net income? Benchmark data from the SPA database offers some historical insight into the key performance and financial measures affecting profit of cow-calf enterprises. It is also noteworthy that current SPA benchmark information only offers regional information from the southwest (Texas, Okla., and N.M.; Stan Bevers, personal communication). These herds ranged in size from 44 to 2,963 head and represent 17,196 cow years. Calf prices in 2013 and 2014 have reached exceptionally high values, and these high prices are not reflected in the dataset. In fact,

the average weaned calf price at 507 pounds was only $119/cwt; and is much lower than current prices. This does not discount the information for those interested in maximizing profit because drivers of profit remain the same regardless of the actual price of calves. Average net income during this period was below breakeven (-$65/cow exposed). It is discouraging that operations in the benchmark dataset were not profitable on average, but upon closer evaluation there are still a portion of the operations that were profitable. In fact, some cow-calf enterprises were highly profitable. Production systems can vary greatly; however, those herds in the top net income quartile (average profit = $159/ cow exposed) generated not only greater gross income from calf sales relative to the other threefourths of the 44 herds, but also had the lowest production costs. The bottom line is that highly

Table 1. Calf weaning measures and revenues by net income quartile.

Net Income Quartile 1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Weaning Percentage

83.8

80.3

83.8

85.2

Average Weaning Weight, lb

562

504

455

494

Calf Price, $/cwt

131

133

110

103

Average Calf Value, $

736

670

501

508

Calf Revenue/Cow Exposed, $

617

538

420

434

Source: SPA 200818 | October 2014

profitable herds typically return more income and have lower costs. Producers interested in being among the top net income quartile are encouraged to continuously ask themselves: 1. What are the most profitable herds doing that makes them different? 2. How can I improve profit the most in my operation?

A closer look at revenue The two sources of revenue for cow-calf operations are calf sales and cull cow and bull sales, with calf sales being the most important. Calf income is a function of quantity (number sold), quality (genetics and condition), and marketing. Table 2 shows calf weaning measures and revenues by net income quartile to provide insight into some of the differences that exist among profitable and unprofitable operations. Weaning percentage does not show an upward linear trend parallel to rising net income. This does not mean that weaning percentage is unimportant, but emphasizes that top net income quartile operations have a balance between cost and performance that maximize net income. The top quartile does not have the highest weaning percentage, but these operations have weaned the largest calves by 58 pounds over the second highest profit quartile. The advantage in weaning weight primarily results from calves in the top quartile being approximately 20 days older at weaning (data not shown). Although not quantifiable from SPA data, it is likely that calves from the top quartile operations also have an additional advantage in genetics for growth and/or end product value.

The overall average weaning rate and weight were 83.8 percent and 507 pounds, respectively (table 1). Using these values as a foundation, and assuming that 507-pound calves are worth $119/ cwt (average SPA price from 2008-2012), the value of a single percentage unit change in weaning rate is about $6/cow exposed (calculation: 507 lbs * 1% * $119/ cwt = $6.03). If a more current 507-pound calf price of $200/cwt is assumed, a single unit increase in weaning percentage raises profit by more than $10/cow exposed. Therefore, any management change that cost less than $10/ cow exposed to implement and increases weaning rate by one percentage unit or more will increase net income.

A closer look at expenses Total cost before non-calf revenue adjustment averaged $608/cow exposed, but when evaluated by net income quartile, the quartile average ranged $451 to $700. The top quartile producers simply wean and market more pounds of calf per cow exposed at a much lower cost than the less profitable operations. Over half of the expenses to a cow- calf enterprise can be categorized as depreciation, labor, or feed. In most cow-calf enterprises these three expense categories offer opportunity for high leverage change to the production system that can yield significant financial improvement. Other expenses like repairs and maintenance, fertilizer, fuel, leases, and veterinary services are important when taken together, but independently are generally not high leverage expenses. Feed and labor expenses are typically well understood, but depreciation is an expense often more difficult to grasp. The result is a considerable amount of unaccounted expense in livestock,

equipment, and infrastructure depreciation. Managers should be aware of the effect depreciation of livestock, equipment, and

infrastructure has on the long term equity of an operation. The ways to decrease livestock depreciation are: reducing

purchase price of breeding stock, increasing salvage values, or increasing longevity of cows and bulls. Reducing equipment

Bachman Bred Selling 25 Females from the Top of Our Gelbvieh & Balancer® Program Heart of America Gelbvieh Association’s

Show-Me Futurity Plus Sale Saturday • November 8, 2014 • 1 PM Springfield Livestock Marketing Center • Springfield, Mo.

She Sells

Open Heifers

Bred Heifers

They Sell Cow/Calf Pairs • 3 in 1 Packages When asked to participate in the HAGA Female Sale, we offered sale management to select from our entire program of 107 females less donors. They spent a half day sorting through everything and

BachmanCattleFarms.com

They Sell Gelbvieh Bred Commercial Females chose the top 25. You will have the opportunity to make your own selection sale day. If you can’t make it to the sale, all the lots will be posted on DVAuction website for review. For a sale catalog, visit our website for a request link.

Scott & Sue Bachman 17520 Hwy JJ • Chillicothe, MO 64601 • 660-247-1112 • scott_bachman@yahoo.com Bachman Profit Pic_7x9.5 ad.indd 1

9/17/14 11:21 AM

The Profitpicture | 19

depreciation may be accomplished by sharing, renting, leasing, or contracting equipment. However, each of these options has

some tradeoffs in convenience and control. Unlike livestock depreciation, which is a direct cost, the expense of equipment,

buildings, and fences depreciation is an indirect or overhead cost. While capital purchases and improvements may have the

Schroeder Ranch

Putting the performance and financial pieces together

Producing Industry–Leading Gelbvieh and Balancer® Genetics SGRI Ax A134

SGRI Jacked Up Z704

Finished in Top 5 • 2014 Balancer® Futurity

2013 Balancer® Futurity Runner-Up

CED 15 BW -2.5 WW 61 YW 110 MK 24 TM 54 CEM 8 ST 4 YG -0.41 CW 32 REA 0.83 MB 1.03 FPI 97.67

CED 11 BW -0.1 WW 95 YW 159 MK 25 TM 72 CEM 6 ST 3 YG -0.30 CW 64 REA 0.74 MB 0.80 FPI 107.88

AMGV 1247575 • 25% Balancer®

AMGV 1214573 • 25% Balancer®

Sire: SAV Pioneer 7301 • Dam: SGRI U803 MGS: BR Midland Owned by Brian & Jan Winter

Sire: SITZ Upward 307R • Dam: SGRI X003 MGS: HXC Jackhammer 8800U Owned by LeDoux Ranch

Top 1% of breed for YG, MB & FPI EPDs

Top 1% of breed for WW, YW, CW & FPI EPDs

Contact owners for semen.

SGRI Sledgehammer X600 2011 Balancer® Futurity Runner-Up CED 9 BW -0.1 WW 76 YW 117 MK 15 TM 52 CEM 7 ST 4 YG 0.14 CW 39 REA 0.19 MB 0.51 FPI 84.20

Make plans to attend the

17th Annual Schroeder Ranch Gelbvieh and Balancer® Bull Sale Monday, April 6, 2015 Mitchell Livestock Auction, Mitchell, SD You could own the next one!

AMGV 1152807 • 25% Balancer® Sire: HXC Jackhammer 8800U • Dam: U803 MGS: BR Midland Owned by Schroeder Ranch and Volek Ranch

20 | October 2014

potential to improve efficiency and production, the increase of the associated depreciation expense may offset the gain in efficiency from the improvement. The most profitable operations generally find ways to reduce this depreciation burden as much as possible.

Steve Schroeder (605) 366-5693 Dustin Tolsma, herdsman (605) 539-0235 www.schroedercattle.com

A cow-calf enterprise is a complex biological system where inputs and outputs are interconnected. Managers interested in maximizing profit are encouraged to focus on optimizing weaning rate and weaning weight, as well as feed, labor, and depreciation expenses. However, there is no silver bullet or prescription that is most effective at accomplishing the perfect balance because of the vast differences in resources and goals from one ranching operation to the next. The key is to evaluate potential changes based on unit cost of production. This measure will merge inputs and outputs into a single value. In reality, only a small portion of cow-calf enterprises have an accounting and performance measurement system in place to accurately calculate unit cost of production. Implementation of a managerial accounting system should be the initial step to improving profit because a clear picture of the current financial status of the operation is needed to make the best business decisions for the future. It will take many small decisions across all facets of the business to keep cost low, yet still achieve performance goals. However, in most systems there are a few high-leverage interventions that can make a big impact. These changes will not be the same on all operations, but all managers

. . e t a l P o t e r u t s a P m Fro 80% 80% 35% Quality Grade CHOICE

Qualified for CAB®

Yield Grade 1’s and 2’s

At Cranview Gelbvieh, we believe in “Balanced Genetics”. We define this concept in our breeding program as a balanced combination of traits. These traits include attractive phenotypes, proven pedigrees, growth and performance, and the ability to grade on the rail. Check out the data above on our most recent load of finished cattle. Furthermore, we take our selection criteria one step further than most. We performance test our bulls and replacement females and incorporate the latest DNA technology. This attention to detail continues to propel our program forward and helps make our customers money. In the end, our ultimate goal is to produce Gelbvieh and Balancer™ genetics that fulfill the needs of the commercial cattlemen, the demands of the beef industry and the satisfaction of the consumer! BSF Princess W2 • Angus dam that produced the 2014 Reserve Champion Angus Bull in Denver.

CRAN Spice Z253

CRAN Vanessa X061 ET • Sold to Eagle Pass Ranch in the 2012 National Gelbvieh Sale.

EGL T003 “Tiara”

CRAN Z251 ET • Sold for $22,000 to Eagle Pass Ranch, Beastrom Gelbvieh, and Jumping Cow Gelbvieh in the 2014 National Gelbvieh Sale!

Over 70+ Bulls and 20 Show and Replacement Heifers out of these great females will sell in March at our Annual Progress and Performance Sale in Rugby, ND. Be sure to look for their ET progeny in this year’s sale!

RobeRt and bill aRnold • esmond, nd

PH: 701.720.8823 or 701.624.2051 Rlagelbvieh@aol.com • www.cRanviewgelbvieh.com The Profitpicture | 21

should seek to find these areas in the operation that if changed could yield dramatic improvement. Cash Flow. Without

minimizing the importance of previously discussed financial principles, operating capital is essential. A yearly financial plan

with projected monthly cash flows adjusted according to operational plans is invaluable in preventing un-expected asset liquidation out

of necessity. Not being able to service short-term liabilities can lead to the liquidation of revenue producing assets, resulting in long-term reduced profit potential. While the value of cows liquidated today is capitalized on, the value of future production is lost. The importance of not liquidating assets in order to operate cannot be over emphasized.

Conclusions The most profitable cow-calf operations are efficient, generally weaning the most pounds of calf per cow exposed with the lowest breakeven. Most importantly, these operations yield the greatest return on assets. Success in the cattle industry does not happen on accident. Decision-makers at the most profitable operations have built production and marketing systems that, most importantly minimize labor, feed, and depreciation expenses relative to weaned calf value. Producers interested in improving the profitability of their cow-calf operation are encouraged to utilize a managerial accounting system that maintains a clear picture of the operation financials and allows measurement of unit cost of production. Furthermore, managers should seek practical, high leverage alterations to the production system with a keen focus on optimizing weaning rate and weaning weight, as well as feed, labor, and depreciation expenses. Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: The authors of this article are C.P. Mathis, C.T. Braden, R.D. Rhoades, and K.C. McCuistion of the King RanchÂŽ Institute for Ranch Management, Texas A&M University-Kingsville. This article was reprinted with permission from the proceedings of the 2014 Beef Improvement Federation Research Symposium and Annual Meeting.

22 | October 2014

News

American Gelbvieh Association Releases New Search Tools The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) has released new search tools on its registry service. These tools include a ranch search, an animal search, an EPD and genetics search, plus a breeder map. All tools are available to cattlemen and women to help locate Gelbvieh and Balancer® genetics and breeders. THE RANCH SEARCH can be used to find active Gelbvieh and Balancer breeders, either in a general area or when looking for contact information for a specific breeder. Ranches and members can be searched by herd prefix, member number, name, city or state. When a member is searched, phone numbers, addresses, and contact information are displayed.

information on the animal can be viewed. This is a great tool for looking up current EPDs on herd bulls to help producers evaluate their bull battery to determine if replacements are needed. The EPD search is a tool can be used to find animals with a desired set of EPDs. Producers can use the EPD search to find animals

to find animals with other search filters beyond EPDs. Use the search tools feature to search by breed (Gelbvieh, Balancer, Southern Balancer®, fullblood, or percentage), color, horn/ polled status, to find AI sires or to search females who qualified for

The animal search option allows a quick way to look up information on an animal’s pedigree, EPDs, performance data, ownership and more. An animal can be searched using registration number, tattoo or name and can be narrowed down by bull or female. This search ultimately brings up an animal detail screen where

with the genetics that will meet the goals of a program. Within the EPD search, all AGA EPDs and indexes are listed, including AGA’s maternal index the $Cow, the carcass index labeled the feeder profit index (FPI) and the feed efficiency index named the efficiency profit index (EPI). Minimum and maximum values may be set on each EPD and index allowing producers to locate animals with the genetics to fit any environment. An additional search tools feature is located on the AGA registry service and can be used

All search tools can be found on the Association’s home page at www.gelbvieh.org by clicking on the Animal and Member Search banner. These tools are available to the public and do not require login information. To learn more about these search tools, video tutorials are available and are located on the Registry Service Tutorials page on the Gelbvieh website. nnn

Bull Barn Genetics

The AGA registry service also contains a breeder map function, allowing breeders to be found in a particular region or state. The AGA registry service also contains a breeder map function, allowing breeders to be found in a particular region or state. The map is interactive making it easy to find seedstock breeders in a desired location.

AGA’s Dam of Merit and Dam of Distinction programs.

For all your AI needs:

• • • • •

Gelbvieh Angus Red Angus Simmental Club Calf

• • • • •

Salers Shorthorn Dairy Charolais 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 The Profitpicture | 23

News

Why Deworming in the Fall Makes Sense producers introduce fall deworming into their parasite control strategy if they haven’t done so already. The active pharmaceutical ingredient found in LONGRANGE lasts much longer than those found in conventional dewormers, helping producers finally find a viable solution to the frustrations and implications of pasture reinfection.

We’ve all heard the horror stories associated with parasite infestation on pastures – cattle producers lament and studies show that parasite infections can lead to a number of herd health problems, including negative effects on the immune system, decreased appetites, decreased weaning weights and lower conception rates. AND AS WE all know, poor herd health can directly impact producers’ bottom lines, rendering a well-planned deworming strategy more crucial to a prosperous operation than some realize.

“The length of a dewormer’s activity is more important than many people give it credit for,” Dedrickson says. “Depending on the parasite, conventional dewormers only offer two to six weeks of control. But with LONGRANGE and its extended duration, producers can save significant time and energy, allowing them to focus on other areas of their operations.”

completely, which can best be achieved with a long-acting dewormer. LONGRANGE® (eprinomectin) is the first – and only – of its kind on the market, offering up to 100 to 150 days of continuous parasite control with one subcutaneous injection.

According to Dr. Joe Dedrickson, DVM, Ph.D., Merial Veterinary Professional Services, the most effective way to manage parasite control is to break the parasite life cycle

On paper, administering LONGRANGE in the fall as well as the spring may seem like a great idea, but how does it pan out in real life?

Because season-long protection can be attained with a single dose, many veterinarians, including Dedrickson, recommend that

Robert Conley, a respected livestock

NUMBERS YOU CAN TRUST

DMS Stucky’s Trustee 025MTZ AMGV 1216539 • BA25 • Homo Black • Homo Polled BW: 87 lbs. • Adj. WW: 723 lbs. • Adj. YW: 1,331 lbs. Sire: Sydgen Trust 6228 • Dam: DMS Stucky Tracy 025JMT

CED 9

Trustee sons sell in the Post Rock Cattle Company Cowman’s Kind Bull and Female Sale in March 2015 Daughters and cows carrying Trustee’s service are for sale from Stucky Beef Genetics

24 | October 2014

BW -0.6

WW 70

YW 120

MK 29

TM CEM 64 8

ST 1

YG -0.35

CW 41

REA 0.76

MB FPI 1.25 104.58

• Top 1% of active Balancer® sires for marbling, with 1.25 MB EPD • Top 1% of the Simmental, SimAngus and Red Angus breeds for marbling • 4th highest marbling EPD among all Balancer® bulls in the AGA herdbook • AMF, DDF, NHF, and OSF

Semen available through Cattlemen’s Connection • 1-800-743-0026 or Owners.

Stucky Beef Genetics Butch & Marla Stucky Salina, KS • 785-825-1276 stuckygelb@hotmail.com

BG Genetics We let the

genetics sort themselves in range conditions.

At Black Gold Cattle Company, we require our genetics to survive with low inputs and expect high fertility. We calve December to February to offer bulls to our customers that have more maturity and are allowed to be developed on pasture. Our cows are re-bred before going to grass in the spring.

Join us for the 9th Annual Share the Gold Bull Sale Friday, March 20, 2015 Winter Livestock, La Junta, CO Selling 100 Gelbvieh, Angus and Balancer® long yearling bulls First breeding season guaranteed

BGGR Gravity 803A 2014 People’s Choice Balancer Bull Futurity Champion Selected by our peers for the confidence breeders have in BG Genetics. EPDs CEM 9

CED 9 ST 2

BW 1.9 YG -0.35

WW 71 CW 41

YW 115 REA 0.60

MK 19 MB 0.24

TM 54 FPI 75.48

Top 2% for YG • Top 10% for YW & CW • Top 15% for CEM & REA

Mark & Jennelle Crane 23334 County RD 13 Pritchett, CO 81064-9600 719-523-3108 blackgoldcattlecompany@gmail.com

The Profitpicture | 25

producer in Georgetown, Ky., is one of many who have noticed vast improvements in his herd after incorporating a fall deworming protocol with LONGRANGE.

He plans to continue the practice well into the future. Dedrickson supports that decision, emphasizing that continuous herd health is vital to any producer’s financial success.

“When you take into consideration the risk, stress and labor that goes into getting the herd through the chute, it’s absolutely worth it to use

“That’s the whole thing about fall – if you have cattle out on the grass, there is certainly a need for parasite control,” Dedrickson says. “It

“The length of a dewormer’s activity is more important than many people give it credit for. Depending on the parasite, conventional dewormers only offer two to six weeks of control. LONGRANGE,” Conley says. “When my cattle go out to pasture, I know the lengthy duration of LONGRANGE will save me two or three dewormings that I would have to manage with another product. In the long run, that saves me money.”

26 | October 2014

is clear to me that up to 100 to 150 days is better than only a few weeks.” Of course, each producer’s specific situation is different, so it’s important to consult your veterinarian when developing a tailored parasite control problem.

LONGRANGE is available through a prescription from your veterinarian. For more information about how you can incorporate LONGRANGE into your deworming strategy, visit www.theLONGRANGElook.com. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Do not treat within 48 days of slaughter. Not for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows, or in veal calves. Post-injection site damage (e.g., granulomas, necrosis) can occur. These reactions have disappeared without treatment. Merial is a world-leading, innovationdriven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 6,200 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide with close to €2 billion of sales in 2013. For more information, please see www.merial.com. nnn

The Profitpicture | 27

News

New Economic Selection Indexes for Gelbvieh and Balancer® Animals The American Gelbvieh Association has released three new economic selection indexes for Gelbvieh and Balancer® animals. The new indexes focus on maternal traits, feed efficiency, and feedlot and carcass merit. PROVIDING THE BEST and most reliable tools for genetic evaluation of Gelbvieh and Balancer animals is a key principle of the American Gelbvieh Association. To that end, the AGA has recently completed several research projects that have been released as part of the Association’s

international cattle evaluation, giving producers the opportunity to use these calculations more consistently for selection of breeding animals. The research projects were funded in part by the American Gelbvieh Foundation.

$Cow The AGA has partnered with Dr. Mike MacNeil, PhD., of Delta G to develop the $Cow economic selection index. $Cow represents the genetic value in dollars of profit of an animal when retained as a replacement female relative to other animals in the herd. A higher number represents more profitable genetics for maternal productivity. “$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

pregnancy, and stayability. $Cow incorporates other traits that affect the profitability of a female in a production system. These traits include 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. By selecting on $Cow, cattle producers will make genetic improvement on economically relevant traits leading to improved maternal productivity.

Efficiency Profit Index The AGA has introduced the efficiency profit index (EPI) index to aid producers in selection for more feed efficient cattle that still have acceptable amounts of gain. The EPI was developed with the assistance of Patrick Doyle, PhD,

“$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.” Kari White in a production system,” says Kari White, American Gelbvieh Association breed improvement data analyst. The $Cow index includes several traits. The most essential of these traits are heifer pregnancy, 30-month 28 | October 2014

Chico State University associate professor in breeding and genetics. By selecting on this index, producers will also be selecting for more profitable cattle as a result of the economic weights in the index. The EPI provides marginal 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. “The greatest potential for improving profitability in beef production is to improve feed efficiency. We invested in a GrowSafe® system and have tested over 1,500 individual animals for feed efficiency. We are seeing the rewards from selecting feed efficient genetics,” says Vaughn Thorstenson, Lazy TV Ranch, located at Selby, S.D.

FPI was introduced to select for improved carcass traits of Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle as well as to be a tool for commercial producers to select more profitable genetics when their cattle are sold on a grid. The AGA currently has intake EPDs and the EPI on more than 25,000 Gelbvieh and Balancer animals. “The American Gelbvieh Association has a large data set of intake records thanks to several members installing their own GrowSafe systems. Increasingly, other members are utilizing central testing facilities for the collection of feed efficiency data,” said Susan Willmon, AGA director of breed improvement. “Several Gelbvieh and Balancer sires have over 50 progeny tested across multiple test locations adding to the accuracy and increased reliability of the index and component EPDs. We are excited to see the increased consideration of this economically relevant trait as members and commercial producers select genetics that will influence future generations.” Profitability of animals in the feedlot has been typically based on the income achieved through gain and final weight, minus the cost of gain estimated from feed consumed. While gain and weight could be measured on individual animals, feed costs were attributed to animals equally across a pen. Adding the dry matter

intake (DMI) component into the EPI allows for allocation of a lower cost of gain to those animals that are more efficient. Selection for a greater EPI value will result in pressure for lower DMI values, at adequate gains to insure overall profitability.

Feeder Profit Index The feeder profit index (FPI) is a dollar value that will help producers choose sires whose progeny excel in the terminal traits. This economic selection index is designed to aid producers in selecting sires whose progeny will perform in the feedlot and when sold on a carcass merit basis. FPI is expressed in dollars of profit, with a higher number representing more profitable genetics for performance in the feedlot and at slaughter. 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.

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

FPI was introduced to select for improved carcass traits of Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle as well as be a tool for commercial producers to select more profitable genetics when their cattle are sold on a grid. “Improving Gelbvieh carcass traits is a highpriority goal of the AGA’s long-range strategic plan, this index will be key in helping us reach this goal,” adds Willmon. The feeder profit index has been chosen to replace the AGA’s feedlot merit (FM) and carcass value (CV) indexes. The AGA’s FPI is directly comparable to the American Simmental Association’s terminal index, or TI calculation. The AGA believes that genetic selection tools being comparable across breeds greatly benefits commercial customers, making it a simpler process to buy superior livestock. For more information regarding the American Gelbvieh Association’s genetic evaluation selection tools, visit www.Gelbvieh. org or call 303-465-2333. nnn

Keith, Janice, Dustin & Britney

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

S G

SwenSon Gelbvieh

Dean Swenson

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

Polled • Purebred Red • Black

The Profitpicture | 29

Over the Fence With Dr. Jason Ahola

The American Gelbvieh Association’s communications intern, Megan Slater visited with Dr. Jason Ahola of Colorado State University about the benefits of crossbreeding in today’s beef industry as well as the importance of selecting replacement females. DR. AHOLA IS CURRENTLY an associate professor of beef management systems in the Department of Animal Science at Colorado State University. At CSU, Jason teaches a variety of upperlevel undergraduate and graduate beef cattle management courses

such as a senior-level beef systems capstone course as well as other courses related to beef production topics such as seedstock production and management. He is also the advisor of the CSU Seedstock Merchandising Team, which is a group of eight students

Ertel Cattle Company Specializing in Balancer® cattle for today’s Modern Ranchers Ertel Cattle is a seedstock and cow calf operation that is four generations strong. Located near Kirksville, Missouri in the Northeast corner of the state. If your breeding program calls for top-end performance, check out our outstanding Balancer bulls and bred heifers.

Reference Sires: RITO 616 • Mytty In Focus • EF Complement Lazy TV Watchman W021 • Lazy TV Sam U451

Ertel Cattle Company For more information contact Ginger Ertel

660.342.5022 • 660.234.5265 11655 Suncrest Way • Greentop, MO 63546 • ginger@ertelcattle.com • www.ertelcattle.com

30 | October 2014

that oversee all preparations for the annual CSU bull sale each spring. In addition to his roles in the classroom, Jason oversees the Colorado Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program. He also conducts applied research on a number of areas including producer adoption of BQA principles, animal welfare, the efficiency of various beef production systems, estrous synchronization, and feed efficiency. Jason grew up on a small Hereford farm in rural northeastern Connecticut and attended both Penn State University and Colorado State University. Prior to his current position at CSU he was the Extension beef specialist at the University of Idaho, and has previously worked for the Red Angus Association of America and Leachman Cattle Company.

MS: Do you think it is important to crossbreed in today’s beef industry? JA: Absolutely, particularly from the commercial cow-calf producer’s perspective. Long-term sustained fertility in beef cows is the single largest driver of cowcalf profitability. Cows that are

open or late-bred at the end of the breeding season are unprofitable, since the cost to replace them is high. Aside from proper postcalving nutritional management, the biggest way to influence long-term cow fertility is through crossbreeding, since sustained fertility is not a highly heritable trait.

MS: What are some of the advantages of crossbreeding? JA: Beyond the effects of crossbreeding on fertility in the cow-calf segment, crossbred calves benefit from hybrid vigor through reduced sickness and death loss, improved growth performance, and improved efficiency. These benefits result in beef being more efficiently produced at a lower cost. Further, crossbreeding allows the ideal combination of traits related to beef palatability (e.g. marbling) with those associated with meat yield (e.g. muscling and carcass weight). The entire industry benefits from crossbreeding.

MS: Do you believe crossbreeding is an easy tool for commercial producers to use? JA: Not necessarily, but it can be. It can be very easy to use if AI can be done to bring breeds into a crossbreeding program, and also if a producer’s entire bull battery is made up of similar composite or hybrid bulls. Conversely, it can be challenging for cow-calf

producers to use crossbreeding in a structured crossbreeding

become popular for their ease of use when a bull battery is uniform.

Beyond the effects of crossbreeding on fertility in the cow-calf segment, crossbred calves benefit from hybrid vigor through reduced sickness and death loss, improved growth performance, and improved efficiency.

system when bulls of different pure breeds are used on several groups of cows of varying breed makeup. This requires more intense management to accomplish, and often separating cattle into different groups based on their breed make-up. For these reasons, hybrid and composite bulls have

MS: What are the keys to a successful crossbreeding program? JA: It seems that the most important step is to have a plan in place for a crossbreeding program

– both short- and long-term. This needs to include a goal for the type of cattle to be produced (in terms of breed make-up and cattle traits), and a plan for accomplishing that goal. Further, a plan should focus on simplicity in order to avoid a system that is too complicated for management to implement or employees to manage. Ultimately, it should be a balance between increased hybrid vigor and ease of use – which often occurs when heterosis is optimized (not necessarily maximized). Poorly planned crossbreeding programs can actually cause reduced efficiency, and also generate calves that are lower in quality and less consistent than might occur via a straightbreeding program.

MS: What advantages do you see Gelbvieh and Balancer®

cattle offer to a crossbreeding program? JA: Gelbvieh genetics bring many vital traits to the table, including growth, muscling, milk production, and fertility. These traits are in high demand, particularly to help improve the efficiency of beef production and to reduce the cost of beef for consumers. Balancer cattle are able to combine these traits with enhanced beef palatability, including marbling, in order to provide an ideal product for consumers – marbled beef that is efficiently produced and lower cost. Further, Balancer cattle offer the option of having a bull battery made up only of Balancer bulls, allowing producers to take advantage of retained heterosis.

Our bulls come from the top genetics lines in the Gelbvieh breed, and we are proudly producing top-quality seedstock Purebred Gelbvieh and Balancer bulls and heifers which will add growth, maternal benefits, and dollars to your commercial cattle herd. At Triple K, we are building on a solid cow herd with continually improved genetic trends that produce real results in the pasture.

Selling fall yearling, red and black bulls that have been developed on grass by private treaty. Also, look for our bulls at the Going to Grass Sale, April 4, 2015 in Canton, KS. Al, Mary & Nick Knapp Basehor, KS 66007 913-219-6613 www.triplekgelbvieh.com The Profitpicture | 31

MS: What are the most important things to look for in a replacement female? JA: Ideally, commercial cow-calf producers should seek replacement females that will give birth to a live calf on the first day of the calving season, conceive

to predict in heifers, but is vital and very influential on longterm profitability of a female in a cowherd.

and influence long-term cow productivity.

MS: What are some things to consider when raising versus purchasing replacement females?

Using genetic predictions for fertility via EPDs like stayability, which predicts the probability a bullâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daughters will remain in the cow herd until at least six years of age, is key to improving sustained fertility. However, traits including

JA: In recent years, the concept of purchasing replacement heifers instead of raising them has been discussed in great detail. There are some general things to consider when comparing these options. Raised heifers provide the benefit of known history, proven dispositions, known genetics, better disease control, and the possibility that raising them might cost less. In contrast, it may be possible to purchase genetically superior females and/or simply change genetics quickly, allowing

Gelbvieh genetics bring many vital traits to the table, including growth, muscling, milk production, and fertility. early in the subsequent breeding season, and continue to produce early-born growthy calves for a long period of time. This is hard

structural soundness and the ability to maintain body condition post-calving are also important

for increased heterosis if heifers of a different breed are purchased, and it may cost less to buy heifers. In addition, purchasing bred heifers can allow a cow-calf operation to focus more closely on other areas by outsourcing heifer development. This might enable more cows to be run on the operation, or reduce the need for some resources (i.e. labor or feed). Items including cash flow, consistent availability of heifers to purchase, and opportunity to select ideal traits should be considered. It should be noted that options for replacement females to be purchased can range from weaned heifers to bred heifers to pregnant young cows to pregnant older cows. Ultimately, a raise verses purchase decision is not solely based on economics since many variables need to be considered. nnn

2014 NILE Select Gelbvieh & BalancerÂŽ Female Sale and Big Sky Gelbvieh Female Futurity Billings, MT Sponsored by Montana Gelbvieh Association

NILE Gelbvieh Schedule: Thursday, October 16, 2014 10:00 a.m. Junior Show Open Show immediately follows Junior Show

Saturday, October 18, 2014 3:00 p.m. Gelbvieh & Balancer Futurity & Sale Preview 4:00 p.m. NILE Select Gelbvieh & Balancer Female Sale

Bid online at: www.liveauctions.tv Headquarters: Country Inn & Suites â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 406-245-9995 32 | October 2014

Tommy Ayres, Auctioneer Cara Ayres, Marketing 406-531-6130 millionayresmanagement@gmail.com P.O. Box 341, Cove, OR 97824

Find us on Facebook

News

Gelbvieh Breeders Recognized for Superior Females Each fall the American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) honors females in the herdbook that display maternal superiority through the Dam of Merit and Dam of Distinction program. The AGA praises those members who continually place emphasis on the maternal traits of Gelbvieh and Balancer® in their herd and produce these outstanding females. CURRENTLY THERE ARE 40,132 active cows in the AGA Herdbook, of these, only 5.0 percent qualify for the Dam of Merit award. Only 1.0 percent of the cows within the Herdbook quality for the elite Dam of Distinction honor. All three of these numbers are up from only a year ago, when the AGA saw 39,516 active cows, 3.6 percent qualifying for Dam of Merit and 0.8 percent for Dam of Distinction. “Maternal traits are where the Gelbvieh breed really excels. Encouraging our members to continue putting selection pressure

on these traits will put the breed in an even better position for impacting the beef industry,” says Susan Willmon, American Gelbvieh Association’s director of breed improvement.

Top ten breeders:

Top ten owners:

1. Judd Ranch, Inc., Pomona, Kan.

2. Bar T Bar Ranch, Inc., Winslow, Ariz.

3. Lazy TV Ranch, Selby, S.D.

4. Taubenheim Gelbvieh, Amherst, Neb.

5. Flying H Genetics, Arapahoe, Neb.

6. Schroeder, Inc., Sioux Falls, S.D.

7. Wehri Gelbvieh, Hebron, N.D.

8. Post Rock Cattle Co., Barnard, Kan.

8. Diamond D Gelbvieh, Mandan, N.D.

9. Chimney Butte Ranch, Mandan, N.D.

10. Diamond D Gelbvieh, Mandan, N.D.

10. Sandy Knoll Farm, Saint John, Kan.

The Dam of Merit and Dam of Distinction recognition program was started in 1991 to honor superior females within the breed. Both of these honor females based on data that is submitted to the AGA office. The females must meet the following criteria to qualify for this recognition: early puberty and conception, regular calving intervals, and above-

average weaning weights on their calves. Dams of Merit must have produced at least three calves in addition to meeting these criteria. Dams of Distinction must have produced eight calves or more

and exhibit superior, long-term productivity. Gelbvieh and Balancer females offer a maternal advantage through increased longevity, added fertility, and more pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed. With maternal productivity playing a major role in profitable beef production, Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle are a smart choice for commercial cattlemen, particularly in a crossbreeding program. Using Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics in a crossbreeding program can add as much as $1,000 profit over the lifetime of a crossbred cow. nnn

Balancer and SimAngus Bulls Bred Heifers

CED 19 BW -2.6 WW 72 MK 25 YW 109 MB 0.53

Professional Beef Genetics Bull Sale Saturday, November 1, 2014 • Windsor Livestock Auction • Many bulls are Show-Me-Select qualified for use on yearling heifers • Fancy & strong conformation with top of the breed EPDs • Private treaty spring bred heifers, RTU 74% to AI • Many heterosis benefits from these eighteen month old forage developed hybrid bulls and bred heifers • Well over $1000 more life time production per cow exposed from crossbreeding. • Settle more cows/heifers early in the breeding season.

Harriman Santa Fe (Bob) Montrose, MO • 660/492-2504 • bharriman39@hotmail.com

The Profitpicture | 33

Feature

Adding Value with Balancer® Genetics In the mountains of southwestern Virginia, Gale Rippey has built a reputation of selling replacement heifers that are second to none. By William McIntosh RIPPEY IS VERY focused on producing the best maternal genetics he can to make not only himself but also the cow-calf producer, feedyard operator, and the packer more profitable, all while providing the consumer with a safe, healthy, and enjoyable eating experience.

told me that when he was 68 years old he was going to retire and I would take over the cows,” says Rippey. “The cow herd at the time consisted of a mixture of British and Continental breeds. Dad bought all his bred cows out of the local sale barns and never retained any replacement heifers.”

In 1998 Rippey took control of the family farming operation in Galax, Va. “My dad had always

Mr. Rippey bought his first Gelbvieh bull in the early 1990s, and they immediately saw an

Gale Rippey and his wife Gena operate Rippey Farm in Galax, Va.

increase in weaning weight and improved disposition. He also stated, “We were selling all our calves at weaning right off the cow. Back then during calving season we would have to ‘babysit’ those sale barn cows. We would have to help calves nurse bad udders, pull calves sired by who knows what and some cows wouldn’t even milk at all. We had a lot of turnover in the cow herd back then.” In the past 25 years Rippey has grown his operation to over 200 cows and has added an 800 head stocker division. Today he rents over 1,400 acres of pasture within a 20-mile radius of Galax.

Through strict selection, Gale Rippey has been able to improve his cow herd and has created strong demand for his replacement heifers. 34 | October 2014

“When I took over the cow herd I would say our steers were our premium product and our heifers were sold as a commodity,” says Rippey. “I wanted to make our heifers a value added product and still get a premium for the steer calves.” At this time he was already seeing the benefits of added weaning weight from his Gelbvieh

sired calves. In an effort to quickly improve their cow herd, Rippey replaced 25 percent of the cows by retaining the half Gelbvieh replacement heifers. Rippey then bred these heifers to Balancer® bulls. He maintained this strict selection practice for eight years. “Using Balancer bulls has really worked well for us. The two breeds complement each other very well,” commented Rippey. “We flipped the entire cow herd twice in those eight years. At that point the calves being born were the second generation of the new program.” By strict sire selection Rippey was able to improve fertility, udder quality, performance and the overall longevity of the cow herd. “After we had turned the cow herd twice we were in a position to sell replacement heifers we were proud of,” says Rippey. Now 75 to 80 percent of Rippey’s heifers are either retained in the herd or sold as replacement heifers.

8th Annual You-Pick-Em All Polled

All Black

t Saturday, November 15, 2014 t 11 am - 2 pm t At the Farm t Lunch served at noon!

t Guest consignor Last Call Gelbvieh, Dr. Tom Lavelle, DVM

• 25 Gelbvieh, Balancer® and Angus bulls sell! • Many Homozygous black and Homozygous polled • 25 Females sell! DcsF post rocK GranIte 200p2 senior Herdsire

JKGF Future Investment X037 HYeK BlacK Impact senior Herdsire

Junior Herdsire

W Please call for catalog. Catalog will be available for L

viewing on www.gelbvieh.org

QUALITY GELBVIEH CATTLE

LITTLE WINDY HILL

Farms Doug & Sue Hughes 6916 Peppers Ferry Road Max Meadows, VA 24360

H 276/637-3916 • C 276/620-4271

email: lwhf@wiredog.com

The Profitpicture | 35

Rippey credits genetic selection to his success. “We track cow families very closely, probably more closely than sires,” he explains. “With our tagging system I can tell what cow family the calf goes back to and how many generations back the cow family goes. I have a lot of five or six generation Balancer type cattle.”

must meet strong selection criteria.

At this point seven cow families make up over half of Rippey’s cow herd. Keeping track of cow families has allowed Rippey to identify cow lines that are the most profitable in his environment and retain daughters who are most likely to excel in the management system.

His goal is to buy bulls that are half-brothers to create consistency across his cow herd. Rippey pastures cows on more than ten farms in southern Virginia and the northern part of North Carolina. Through selection, Rippey has been able to produce a consistent product across relatively small contemporary groups.

Bulls are looked at as investment in the future of Rippey’s farming operation. They have been breeding Balancer bulls since the late 1990s, which has allowed him to create uniformity across his cow herd. Rippey’s bulls

“I want a 6.5 frame bull that is above breed average for calving ease and milk and that ranks at least in the top 25 percent of the breed for weaning weight and yearling weight. I want a bull that is sound, heavy muscled and has a lot of middle. That is the kind that works the best for me,” states Rippey.

When determining the value of a bull Rippey explained: “It’s worth $30 per cow just to have her bred instead of open. If a bull breeds 30 cows a season the bull has added $900 in value to your cows. I

usually keep a bull for five seasons, which totals $4,500 just to get the cows bred. Through selecting better bulls it’s easy for a good bull to add 50 pounds to a calf crop and let’s say at $2 per pound that’s $100 per head more than an average bull. $100 times 30 calves is $3,000 per season, times five seasons is an added value just in weaning weight of $15,000. Then add salvage value, which should be between $2,500 and $3,000. That doesn’t count the added value of the replacement heifers or added profitability of his daughters that will be in the herd for years to come. In my opinion, a really good bull is a lot better investment than a new truck or tractor.” Rippey’s investment in genetics has paid huge dividends. He has developed a very strong demand for the bred heifers he sells in the fall. “The Material Edge Sale they used to have in Cross Plains, Tenn.,

Gale Rippey has been using Balancer® bulls on his commercial cows since the late 1990s.

36 | October 2014

was a very good sale for us. We had the high selling lots there every year we participated except one and we were second only by $75. We were able to get our cattle in front of a lot of people and make some really good connections. We have been selling cattle in the Carroll Grayson Mountain Momma Heifer Sale for the past five years and have topped the sale every year we have consigned,” he said. Rippey’s structured crossbreeding system has allowed him to create strong demand for his replacement females without sacrificing performance of his steers. He is also able to take advantage of heterosis by using hybrid Balancer bulls while maintaining the desired percentage of British and Continental breeds in his cow herd. nnn

The Profitpicture | 37

10908 724 Rd • Oxford, NE 68967 308/337-2235

Jeff Swanson

• Sex: Heifers • Pay Wgt out: 1,328 lbs. • HCY: 63.91% • HCW: 815 lbs. • ADG: 3.23 lbs. • DMC: 5.76 • $390.12 per head profit w/interest

• • • • • • • • •

PR: 12.8% CH: 84.6% Sel: 2.5% YG1: 8% YG2: 18% YG3: 41% YG4: 31% CAB: 62% 97.4 Total % Choice

• Sex: Steers • Pay Wgt out: 1,502 lbs. • HCY: 64.53% • HCW: 930 lbs. • ADG: 3.68 lbs. • DMC: 5.71 • $321.55 per head profit w/interest

• • • • • • • • •

PR: 0% CH: 75.9% Sel: 24.0% YG1: 3.4% YG2: 31.0% YG3: 41.4% YG4: 24.1% CAB: 24.0% 75.9 Total % Choice

– Jeff Swanson –

“I breed ‘em and feed ‘em”

Performance Data

Annual Production Sale: February 28, 2015

Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls We offer a consistent set of quality bulls for producers looking to turn out mutiple bulls.

Close outs from a recent group of steers and heifers prove it.

Balancer® cattle make money.

38 | October 2014

The Profitpicture | 39

News

American Gelbvieh Association Releases Genomic-Enhanced EPDs The American Gelbvieh Association (AGA) has released genomic-enhanced EPDs with the fall 2014 international cattle evaluation. GE EPDS PROVIDE MORE precise EPDs based on a combination of both phenotype and DNA. One major benefit of these EPDs is risk reduction through increased accuracies. These increased accuracies save time when assessing young breeding stock as well as deliver commercial customer confidence when buying seedstock. Herd improvement is accelerated when breeders can more accurately identify young individuals with the best genetics. GE EPDs also give the chance to collect data on economically important traits, which are

40 | October 2014

expensive or difficult to measure. The information from the genomic data can be as informative as a bull’s first calf crop or a cow’s lifetime production record. Since the genomic data is incorporated directly into the EPDs, cattle producers will not have to learn how to interpret the new data. Development of GE EPDs for Gelbvieh and Balancer® animals has been in progress at the AGA since 2012, starting with the Genomic Pioneers project. This project helped to build a diverse panel of Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics

to be the foundation genetics for the calculation of the GE EPDs. “The AGA has been working closely with the scientific community over the past couple years to build the training population for developing GE EPDs for the Gelbvieh breed,” says Susan Willmon, director of breed improvement at the AGA. “Implementing genomic-enhanced EPDs is a high-priority goal in the AGA’s strategic plan and we are excited to be able to offer this tool to our breeders and their commercial customers.” EPDs that are genomically-enhanced will show up on the new American Gelbvieh Association Registry Service as highlighted in yellow. All animals with these enhanced EPDs will also have the AGA GE EPDs logo on their registration certificate. nnn

The Profitpicture | 41

LAZY TV

W021 AMGV 1115408 • 50% Balancer® Homozygous Polled • Homozygous Black Sire: DVA Scout 553 AMAN15270965 Dam: Lazy TV Ms Peterblt T309 AMGV1039404

Semen Available: Bull Barn Genetics & Cattlemen’s Connection

Owned By the Watchman Group: Rippe Gelbvieh, Thortenson Gelbvieh & Angus, Dustin Rippe, Cedar Top Ranch, Bar Arrow Cattle Company, Burbank Cattle Company, and John Beastrom. CED

CEM

DMI

REA

FPI

EPI

-3.0

114

0.04

-0.21

0.14

0.75

100.55

158.30

10%

20%

15%

DBRG

FOUNDATION 2310Z AMGV 1244668 • 75% Balancer® Homozygous Polled • Homozygous Black Sire: Lazy TV Watchman W021 AMGV1115408 Dam: DBRG Miss 746T ET AMGV1048068

Semen Available: Cattlemen’s Connection

Top selling bull in our 2014 Bull Sale Owner: Mulroy Farms, LLC

CED

CEM

REA

FPI

-1.5

112

-0.27

0.08

0.36

89.53

20%

15%

10%

25%

20%

16th Annual Bull Sale • Saturday, March 14, 2015 • 100 Gelbvieh and Balancer Bulls

RIPPE GELBVIEH • Hubbell, Nebraska • www.rippegelbvieh.com Dustin: 316-323-4874 (Cell) • Duane: 402-200-0096 (Cell)

42 | October 2014

Editorial

The Right Cow for Your Environment Commercial cow-calf operations can run from very intensive to very extensive with differing management and marketing programs. This means there is no â&#x20AC;&#x153;one fits allâ&#x20AC;? ideal cow, but rather scenarios that cattle must fit into. Managers must consider convenience traits, cow size, milk and growth potential, environment, and feed resources. By Dr. Bob Hough ONE AREA THAT is universal is the need for convenience traits, which is even more important when cattle are managed in extensive situations. These include calving ease, soundness, grazing ability, and disposition. Any survey of commercial producers ranks calving ease as their number one trait. This is for good reason as labor along with feed and depreciation are the three biggest costs in a commercial cow-calf operation, and increased calving difficulty means increased labor. This is especially important in extensive operations in which the labor to babysit cows is often

fewer pounds to market and less calf uniformity, which will affect price. Therefore, an appropriate level of calving ease for heifers and cows is paramount. Disposition problems make cattle difficult to work with and poor disposition cattle have been shown to grow slower in the feedlot and grade lower when processed. This makes disposition an important convenience trait. However, cattle do not necessarily need to be pet-like, especially in extensive operations that work cattle from horseback and have well-designed working chutes. Disposition becomes even

to reach breakeven, so any cow that leaves the herd early because of soundness issues is a loss. Different cattle vary in their ability to forage and eat a wider variety of vegetation. Therefore, it is wise to consider buying bulls from

Astro daughter out of a Cherokee Canyon dam. Bred to Roscoe for an early January 2015 calf. AMGV 1225977

It takes up to five years for a cow to reach breakeven, so any cow that leaves the herd early because of soundness issues is a loss. not available. Revenue for a commercial cow-calf operation is a function of weaning rate, weight, and price. Calving difficulty negatively affects all three of these by causing decreased percent of calf crop weaned and delayed rebreeding, ultimately resulting in

more important when cattle are worked regularly in intensive situations with what are sometimes questionable working facilities. In the end, life is just too short to deal with crazy cattle. Soundness and grazing ability are also extremely important. It takes up to five years for a cow

We are offering more Elite Females from weanlings to cow/calf pairs and seedstock bulls at private treaty. Contact: Chester Yoder chesteryoder@yahoo.com 330-231-0339 or 330-567-9232 www.yodersprairieacres.com

The Profitpicture | 43

seedstock operations that graze their cattle in circumstances similar to your operation. Cow weight is one of the most discussed and misunderstood topics when it comes to matching the environment. It is true that intake increases as mature cow weight increases, but biological efficiency between different cow sizes is much smaller than expected. This makes mature size more related to market endpoint, stocking rate, and environment than it does to efficiency.

raised to the three-quarter power. What this means in plain English is the metabolic body weight equates to the actual weight of maintenance and each unit of increased body weight needs a fractionally lower amount of energy for maintenance. If production increases at the expected amount per larger body weight, a larger cow may actually be more efficient than a smaller cow. As a rule of thumb, slaughter weight equals mature cow weight and with the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desired slaughter weights increasing, a slightly larger cow than in the past is warranted. However, how feeder cattle are managed and marketed can have a big impact on this endpoint. In general, feeder cattle that are intended to enter the feedlot directly off the cow will be processed at a younger age. This means a larger cow with more equivalent growth potential is called for. If feeder cattle are backgrounded, a more moderate cow weight is called for to produce a calf with the same profitable slaughter weight. Some programs rough their calves through the first winter and graze them the next summer for entrance into a feedlot as long yearlings. In this management scenario, a smaller cow will produce a calf with a desired heavy carcass. If

The bottom line is there is no right size cow, just scenarios. The right cow body size for your operation will be determined by a matrix of stocking rate, marketing method (calf verses yearling) and environment. To truly look at biological efficiency is a matter of the relationship of output versus inputs, and 70 percent of feed inputs go to maintenance. When digging down into maintenance of a cow, the metabolic body weight of a cow is a function of body surface in which heat must be retained more than it is the actual body weight. Scientists calculate metabolic body weight is actual body weight

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44 | October 2014

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the large cow with the high growth potential in scenario one is used in scenario three (yearling operation), overweight carcasses will be produced and putting the small cow in scenario three into the calf feed scenario one will produce underweight carcasses. Cow size does have a direct impact on stocking rate; the larger the cow, the higher the intake, thus, the lower the stocking rate. The one limiting factor is quality of feed. If cattle are in a very extensive management system in which feed is sparse and/or of poor quality, a moderate-sized cow is called for to assure she can eat enough relative to her body size. With that said, there are still some big cows running in extensive situations. However, one must guard against the worst case scenario in which cattle have low growth potential, weaning small calves but mature slowly into large, high maintenance cows. Environment also has a big impact on the desired mature weight. In the South where heat stress is a problem, a smaller cow will have more body surface per unit of weight in order to dissipate heat. This is why Brahman cattle naturally have looser hides giving them more body surface per unit of mature weight in order to dissipate heat better than the British and Continental breeds. In the North, cold stress is the major concern making a relatively larger cow, which will have less body surface per unit of weight to lose heat, more biologically efficient. The bottom line is there is no right size cow, just scenarios. The right cow body size for your operation will be determined by a matrix of stocking rate, marketing method (calf verses yearling) and environment. Milk potential has a large impact on maintenance requirements. This is because higher milk potential cattle have a higher percentage of their body weight in gut and organ mass, and gut and organ mass has very high maintenance requirements when compared to the rest of the body tissue, regardless if a cow is lactating or not. If cattle have too high milk potential for their environment, maintenance and production requirements will result in cattle that are thin with suboptimum reproduction. Reproduction is the most economically important trait, making too much milk very costly. Again, there are scenarios. If your cattle are grazing in extensive situations or are on low quality feeds, high milk is an extreme detriment. However, if cattle are run on high quality,

improved pastures and have a cheap source of feed energy for the winter, higher milk potential cattle can be justified.

operations. At the same time, slaughter weights are increasing over time, meaning feedlots are realizing the increased growth potential bred into cattle. Therefore, many commercial herds may consider lowering milk potential and putting less emphasis on increasing growth potential through weaning.

Cattle must fit the environment, feed resources and marketing program in which they are to be managed. When you look at breed association genetic trends, milk and growth have increased linearly since EPDs became available as a tool for selection. BIF (Beef Improvement Federation) Conference reports that commercial cattle in the Northern Plains and Southwest are not experiencing these increases in commercial herds, with weaning weights not increasing at all. The logical conclusion is that milk potential and growth potential through weaning have overshot the environment in many commercial

One of the big items we will see in the future is an emphasis on feed efficiency. In general, more feed efficient cattle require lower feed intake to produce the same amount of output. Lower intake, high performing cattle certainly have an advantage, but decreasing intake by too much could lead to problems. One big problem can occur when cattle are weaned or enter the feedlot. Healthy cattle generally go on feed the quickest and have good appetites. Also, when cows are eating low quality feeds, a certain amount of appetite is necessary to

meet requirements. Therefore, when looking for improved feed efficiency, intake should probably be looked upon as a threshold trait with cattle with too low intake being undesirable. In conclusion, convenience traits are money making traits, but there is no one ideal cow in terms of size, milk potential, etc. Instead, there are only scenarios for every operation in which cattle must be custom fit. Cattle must fit the environment, feed resources and marketing program in which they are to be managed. A favorite quote of mine is from a person who, among other things, raised Angus cattle. His name was Dwight D. Eisenhower and he reminded us that “The middle of the road is all of the usable surface. The extremes, right and left, are in the gutters.” Editor’s note: This article was printed with permission from Western Livestock Journal.

J&D Kerstiens Gelbvieh Open House with Private Treaty Sale November 1 & 2, 2014

9 AM till 3 PM EST each day J&D KERSTIENS GELBVIEH at HUNTINGBURG INDIANA FARM SELLING FALL 2013 BULLS (AUGUST THRU OCTOBER BORN) BREEDING SOUNDNESS AND VET CHECKED TRIC TESTED

A.I. SIRES REPRESENTED:

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Jerome Kerstiens 1345 Cobblestone Rd, Jasper, IN 47546 812-482-2688 jdkerstiens@psci.net Farm Manager: Duane Cassidy 812-661-8005 The Profitpicture | 45

Feature

American Gelbvieh Association Unveils New Genetic Selection Tools Expected progeny differences (EPDs) can be used to predict the average performance of a bull’s offspring compared to other calves in their contemporary group (a contemporary group being calves that were born in the same calving season, in the same year, herd, sex, and were managed similarly). EPDs are measured in the units of the trait, and show the differences in performance between animals.

Kenyon Cattle LLC & Little Sioux Gelbvieh/ Red Angus Don’t miss our bulls at the Seedstock Plus Fall Bull Sale Saturday, October 18, 2014 • 4 DVE Cassanova 118Y sons – 2 black purebred • 1 HXC Big Iron son • 1 DCH Hille X107 son • 3 sons out of our Black Angus donor Jauer NZ41-97 193 6036 2 of which are full ET brothers of Black Impact

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46 | October 2014

IT IS IMPORTANT to remember that this number is just a prediction of performance. Actual performance depends on many factors such as environment, management, etc. This being said, an EPD is by far the most reliable indicator of an animal’s genetic merit due to the amount of information incorporated into the calculation. The American Gelbvieh Association uses all available information to predict an animal’s EPD. This information includes: individual performance, pedigree, progeny and grand progeny performance, plus available genomic information. All this information is combined into one easy to use number that helps breeders make genetic improvement in their herd.

Accuracy In an EPD listing, an accuracy number is often published below its corresponding EPD. Accuracy is defined as the strength of the relationship between a prediction (EPD) and a sire’s true genetic value. In other words, accuracy is an indicator of the reliability of

an EPD. Accuracy is improved by the number of records reported for an animal and with genomic information. For example, a three year old bull with 90 calves would have EPDs of higher accuracy than a virgin yearling bull. Accuracies range from zero to one, with numbers closer to one being more accurate.

EPD Definitions Listed below are the definitions of American Gelbvieh Association EPDs and the units in which they are published. The EPDs with an asterisk (*) next to the name are available to members only. Maternal traits Calving ease direct (CE): 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.

Meaning and Associated Risk Levels of Accuracy Values Accuracy

Meaning

Risk Level

Less than .40

Possibility of change with more information

High

.40 to .60

Some change likely, records on few progeny

Moderate

.60 to .80

Small change possible, records on numerous progeny

Low

Greater than .80

Not likely to change much

Very Low

Gelbvieh and Balancer® Breed Average EPDS (For active sires, as of the Fall 2014 International Cattle Evaluation) CED 8 11

Gelbvieh Balancer®

DMI 0.004 0.027

Growth and Maternal EPDs YW MK TM CEM 91 29 62 6 98 27 59 7

BW 1.2 0.1

WW 66 65

YG -0.29 -0.18

Intake and Carcass EPDs CW RE MB FT 25 0.44 -0.21 -0.07 28 0.42 0.23 -0.03

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):

ADG -0.040 0.040

HP 2 2

PG30 0 0

ST 6 4

MW 0 0

Index Values $Cow FPI EPI 55.62 61.51 126.37 46.94 73.38 180.65

RFI -0.014 -0.044

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.

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.

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.

30-month pregnancy (Pg30): Predicts the probability that a bull’s

Stayability (ST): Predicts the genetic difference, in terms of

Birth weight (BW): Predicts the difference, in pounds, for birth

Growth traits

One Bred Heifer and One Open Heifer consigned to

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The Profitpicture | 47

Gelbvieh and Balancer® Breed Average EPDS (For active dams, as of the Fall 2014 International Cattle Evaluation) Gelbvieh Balancer®

CED 7 10

BW 1.6 0.4

Gelbvieh Balancer®

DMI -0.007 0.013

YG -0.24 -0.13

Growth and Maternal EPDs WW YW MK TM CEM 64 87 29 61 6 62 92 26 57 6 Intake and Carcass EPDs CW RE MB FT ADG 23 0.41 -0.21 -0.07 -0.040 25 0.36 0.18 -0.03 0.010

HP 4 4 RFI -0.007 0.000

weight of the calf.

to yearling.

will have a better lean to fat ratio.

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.

*Mature weight EPD (MW): Predicts the average difference in pounds of mature weight of a sire’s progeny compared to their contemporaries.

Carcass weight (CW): Differences in pounds of hot carcass weight, adjusted to an industry standard age endpoint.

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

Yield grade (YG): Differences in yield grade score, which is a predictor of percent retail product. Smaller values suggest that progeny

Carcass traits

PG30 1 1

ST MW 7 0 4 0 Index Values $Cow FPI EPI 59.77 59.32 176.19 51.83 69.49 215.19 marbling within the ribeye as expressed in marbling score units. Greater marbling numbers are preferable and are an indicator of higher carcass quality grades.

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

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.

We’re Gearing Up For Our 2015 Production Sale The calves are weaned and the selection process is ongoing, so we can offer you only our best.

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48 | October 2014

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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. *Average daily gain (ADG): Difference in average daily gain in pounds based on an animal’s performance during a feed intake test period. *Residual feed intake (RFI): Defined as the difference between an animal’s actual daily feed intake and its predicted daily intake based on growth rate and body size. Animals with a positive RFI value are deemed more inefficient because they consume more than expected while animals with a negative RFI value are considered more efficient because they consume less than expected.

What is an index? Indexes are tools that allow you to select for several EPDs at once, making selections more efficient than selecting on one trait at a time. Indexes weigh traits based on their importance to a producer’s bottom line by using a trait’s economic and genetic value. Indexes are a good way to put selection emphasis on traits that are economically relevant. 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 grade and yield. 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. nnn

AGA EPDs - What’s New? •

•

A difference in the names of the calving ease calculations. In order to be more accurate in naming these traits, calving ease has been changed to calving ease direct (CED), or percent of unassisted births of a bull’s calves when he is used on heifers. Calving ease daughters has been changed to calving ease maternal (CEM), or percent of unassisted births in a sire’s first-calving daughters. The meaning of these predictions is exactly the same as they were before, only the names have changed. $Cow, EPI, FPI, HP, PG30, MW, ADG, RFI, and ADG have all graduated from research calculations to routinely calculated numbers in our international cattle evaluation. What does this mean for you? More animals will have these numbers, giving you the opportunity to use these calculations more consistently for selection in your herd. In an effort to simplify genetic selection for commercial producers, non-members will not view the full suite of EPDs on the AGA website.

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

Featuring Black, Polled Gelbvieh & Balancer® genetics with balanced trait selection. Next Bull Sale February 27, 2013. High Plains Livestock, Brush, CO.

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Delbert cell Cody cell

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

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 rippe02@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.”

The Profitpicture | 49

News

Rising Calf Prices Warrant Attention to Fetal Protection Beef producers working to maximize the reproductive potential of their herd with modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines from Zoetis also can take advantage of the industry’s most comprehensive vaccine guarantee — the Fetal Protection Guarantee.* “THE FETUS RELIES on the dam’s immune system for disease protection throughout most of the pregnancy,” said Jon Seeger, DVM, managing veterinarian with Zoetis. “Without protection, the fetus is at risk of abortion due to infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) virus, as well as, birth defects or potentially becoming persistently

infected (PI) with the bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) virus that can then shed and continue to infect the rest of the herd.” Zoetis is proud to offer the Fetal Protection Guarantee to help give producers peace of mind that their cows and calves are protected from economically impactful reproductive diseases when the

to label directions. “The importance of protecting the fetus can’t be emphasized enough, as a successful pregnancy and birth of a healthy calf is essential to the beef cattle industry and livelihood of the producer,” Dr. Seeger continued. IBR virus and BVD Types 1 and 2 viruses can seriously harm the reproductive performance of a herd, potentially leading to abortions and diminished calf health. But, Dr. Seeger cautioned, not all reproductive vaccines offer equal protection.

vaccines are used properly. With the BOVI-SHIELD GOLD FP®, CATTLEMASTER® GOLD FP and PREGGUARD® GOLD FP vaccine products, the Fetal Protection Guarantee assures producers that no BVD virus PI calves will be born and that cows will be protected from IBR abortions, when products are used according

“Some vaccines can help protect a cow from viral diseases, but that

SOUTHERN BREEDERS ALABAMA

TEXAS

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ARKANSAS

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50 | October 2014

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Barry “Slim” Cook Chief Operating Officer P.O. Box 3025, Cody, WY 82414 307-272-2024 The Profitpicture | 51

doesn’t mean they will help protect her calf as well,” he explained. “Selecting a vaccine labeled specifically for fetal protection against IBR abortions and BVD PI calves helps reassure producers they will wean a healthy, valuable calf on sale day.”

reproductive health. Vaccination programs should include protocols to ensure operations use vaccines according to their labels, follow correct timing guidelines and keep accurate records. The Fetal Protection Guarantee — available with the BOVI-

With the guidance of their veterinarian, producers are encouraged to develop a reproductive vaccine program to achieve the most effective long-term reproductive health. With the guidance of their veterinarian, producers are encouraged to develop a reproductive vaccine program to achieve the most effective long-term

SHIELD GOLD FP, PREGGUARD GOLD FP and CATTLEMASTER GOLD FP vaccines — reflects the ongoing commitment of Zoetis to deliver customers the most

comprehensive vaccine portfolio that offers industry-leading efficacy and safety. In addition to the Fetal Protection Guarantee, producers and veterinarians also benefit from the unrivaled support of the Technical Services team and Veterinary Medical Information and Product Support (VMIPS) team for help understanding the proper use of vaccines. *The Zoetis 100% BVD PI-Free Guarantee and the IBR Abortion Guarantee will be administered through Zoetis — VMIPS at 800-366-5288. Proof of purchase is required. Calves born to BVD PI-positive cows or heifers do not qualify for the guarantee. This guarantee does not apply to, and Zoetis shall not be liable for, any (x) damages caused as a result of the improper handling, misuse or abuse of the vaccines that are the subject of this guarantee, or the willful misconduct or

negligence of any third party, or (y) any indirect, punitive, special, incidental or consequential damages. Zoetis reserves the right to modify or cancel the terms and conditions of this guarantee. LABEL INDICATIONS: Do not use in pregnant cattle (abortions can result) unless they were vaccinated, according to label directions, with any BOVI-SHIELD GOLD FP or PREGGUARD GOLD FP vaccine prebreeding initially and within 12 months thereafter. Do not use in calves nursing pregnant cows unless their dams were vaccinated within the past 12 months as described above. To help ensure safety in pregnant cattle, heifers must receive at least 2 doses of any BOVI-SHIELD GOLD FP or PREGGUARD GOLD FP vaccine with the second dose administered approximately 30 days prebreeding. nnn

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52 | October 2014

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Feature

Sorting Through the Science, Marketing, and Realities of DNA Tools for Genetic Prediction Genomic technology is useful for improving beef cattle. It’s easy to become overwhelmed when thinking about genomics because the process involves thousands to millions of genotypes known as BIG DATA; therefore, it is important to understand that the results of the process is improving the accuracy of an animal’s expected progeny difference (EPD) as to be able to rank animals for selection. By Dr. Milt Thomas

Important acronyms: DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid EPD = expected progeny difference gEPD = genome-enhance expected progeny difference MBV = molecular breeding value NBCEC = National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium 50K = jargon for the BovineSNP50 chip containing 50,000 genotypes

GENETIC IMPROVEMENT IS typically measured as an increase in EPD over many years. The more accurately the calculation of EPDs can be accomplished, the faster the rate of genetic improvement can be observed by breeders using EPDs for mating decisions.

Why genomics? We now use genomics as the DNA tool to improve accuracy of

EPD rather than a few genotypes. Genomics means “all the DNA information.” In practice, it is a term meaning genotyping a large number of loci across all 30 cattle chromosomes. It is important to measure the entire genome as there are 25,000 to 30,000 genes in cattle and many of the economically relevant traits are polygenic (i.e., regulated by many genes). For example, weaning weight is influenced by thousands of genes, so we need lots of genotypes on many chromosomes to effectively estimate an animal’s molecular breeding value (MBV) for weaning weight. An MBV is a numeric value for an animal. There is a statistical process that will estimate a positive or negative value for each genotype. Adding up all the pluses and minuses will equate to an animal’s MBV. MBVs are being estimated from genotypes on a laboratory

6TH Annual Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull & Female Sale March 21, 2015 • Creston Livestock Auction, Creston, IA 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 515-993-4381 creiste.rafterr@yahoo.com

For online bidding: www.crestonlivestock.com or www.cattleusa.com

The Profitpicture | 53

the genomic relationship matrix process. The dairy industry, particularly Holstein, quickly translated genome technology into the calculation of their EPD. Figure 2. BovineSNP50 from Illumina, Inc. A genotyping chip with 24 wells that each contains DNA probes for 50,000 genotypes. chip known as BovineSNP50 (Figure 1). Within each well, this chip has 50,000 genotypes so it is commonly called the 50K chip. DNA from 24 animals is placed in the individual wells on the chip and a computer system reads the genotypes for each animal. Zoetis and GeneSeek are two prominent companies that provide cattle genotyping services using the chips manufactured by Illumina, Inc. There are now more than 10 SNP-chips on the market. Another prominent chip is what is known as BovineSNPHD. The HD is an acronym for high density meaning

there are ~800,000 SNP genotypes on the chip. The process of calculating EPDs has evolved a lot over the past 50 to 60 years. The statistical models started with pedigreebased (i.e., animal) models and added multi-trait, multi-breed, and now genome-enhanced (gEPD) procedures. There are two types of gEPD procedures 1) MBV and 2) genomic relationship matrix. The MBV procedure is being used by several beef cattle breed associations, while the dairy industry primarily uses

Markes Family Farms

Oklahomaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Largest Gelbvieh Breeder

Selling Exceptional Bulls Transportation Available

54 | October 2014

The first bovine genome sequence was completed in 2004, Illumina manufactured BovineSNP50 in 2006, and the

the American Society of Animal Science meeting, NBCEC scientists from Iowa State University (Saatchi and Garrick) reported accuracy values in the 0.2 to 0.4 range in Hereford cattle when varied numbers of genotypes were used in simple models to calculate the MBV. These observed levels of

The gEPD is not a new EPD added to the suite of traits published by a breed association, rather itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an improvement in accuracy of the currently published EPDs. As genomic research progresses, the MBV technology may be used to publish EPDs for traits that are difficult or very expensive to collect. first Holstein genetic evaluation including genomic information was completed in 2008. Several USDA and university scientists were involved in this technology translation, which was greatly helped by the fact that semen from Holstein bulls was readily available to supply DNA for genotyping. In Holstein, this process has worked great as it improves accuracy of non-parent EPD to the point that the six year sire-proofing process can be minimalized. The adoption of this technology for beef cattle breeds has been much slower. Specifically, breed associations have been working with the National Beef Cattle Evaluation Consortium (NBCEC) as to acquire genotypes on several thousand sires as to develop a resource large enough conduct the statistics of estimating MBV. For many beef cattle breeds, this process has taken several years. Nonetheless, accuracy is improved by adding MBV to the EPD system. In a recent presentation at

accuracies are encouraging and an improvement to the levels initially estimated via genomic technology in beef cattle.

What does a gEPD program look like? Several beef cattle breed associations have implemented or are working to implement gEPD programs. These include Angus, Red Angus, Simmental, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Brangus, Brahman, etc. Each of these breeds first gathered DNA samples from greater than 1,000 animals for 50K genotyping and used this as a training population, which helped assign the plus and minus numeric value to each genotype. For those breeds that have established training populations, additional animals are now being genotyped and their MBV predicted based on the training population. The MBV of each animal is then being included into the multi-trait EPD calculation.

The Profitpicture | 55

UPPER MIDWEST BREEDERS MINNESOTA

IOWA

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 Dwight and Christina Dockter Bailey, Cheyenne, Cierra and Dalton

Schafer Farms, Inc. SFI

Gelbvieh

Ridge Top Ranch

Gelbvieh-Angus-Balancer

Neola, Iowa

Black & Polled Private Treaty Sales

Breed-leading Performance from Quality Genetics

37740 240th Ave., Goodhue, MN 55027 Brian Schafer Lowell Schafer

1-888-226-9210 brian@schaferfarm.com

inquist

th 1135 190 Street inquist Fonda, IA 50540

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

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

LONE O AK C AT T L E hornsandthorns@netins.net Eric Ehresman (319) 489-2275 20963 30th St. (319) 480-1564 Mechanicsville, IA 52306

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

HH H

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

712-303-0263 • 712-303-1947

Bulls and Heifers for sale Private Treaty

56 | October 2014

Visit www.golden-buckle-gelbvieh.com

651-923-4587 www.schaferfarm.com

Private Treaty Bull Sale — Last Sat. in February Annually

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

Ricky Linquist

4956 41st St. SE, Medina, ND 58467 701-486-3494 • gbgelb@daktel.com

Balancer®

Mattison Family Farm Scott & Sonia Mattison Brianna, Nicole, Josh & Kallie 15995 Harvest Ave Lamberton, MN 56152 507-430-0505 • email: ssmattison@redred.com Purebred Gelbvieh and Balancer® Cattle

S G

SwenSon Gelbvieh

Dean Swenson

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

Polled • Purebred Red • Black

Dennis & Sherry Gustin Family Al and Peggy Gustin

Mandan, ND • 701/663-7266 email: gustindd@gmail.com www.gustinsdiamondd.com

SOUTH DAKOTA ADKINS GELBVIEH

Gelbvieh & Balancer Performance Genetics Bulls and Heifers for sale by private treaty Gerald & Sarah Adkins

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

41606 195th St., Carpenter, SD 57322

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

Jim & Barb Beastrom Brandy Ludemann, Brittney Spencer

NORTH DAKOTA Chimney Butte RanCh

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

www.bcvgelbvieh.com

Doug and Carol Hille 701/445-7383

3320 51st St., Mandan, ND 58554

chimneybutteranch@westriv.com www.chimneybutteranch.com Annual Production Sale 1st Friday in March

Brent & Eve Vavra Nisland, SD • 605/257-2407

UPPER MIDWEST BREEDERS For breeders, it’s a simple process. They submit DNA samples in the form of a hair, blood, or semen sample and payment to the breed association office and get back the gEPD via breed association website. Behind the scenes and over several months, the samples were sent to a lab for DNA extraction, genotyping, MBV calculation, and then the MBV included in the multi-trait EPD calculation. Please note that the gEPD is not a new EPD added to the suite of traits published by a breed association, rather it’s an improvement in accuracy of the currently published EPDs. As genomic research progresses, the MBV technology may be used to publish EPDs for traits that are difficult or very expensive to collect. Examples of such traits are feed efficiency, grazing distribution, health (i.e., bovine respiratory disease), etc. gEPD for these types of traits may always be of low to moderate accuracy, but are extremely valuable in addressing industry-wide challenges.

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

Ellison Gelbvieh & Angus Ranch Gelbvieh & Angus & Balancers

Private Treaty Sales • Bulls (Yearling & 2-yr.-old) & Heifers

Mitchel & Edna Ellison

Jeff & Susie Ellison

9020 ND Hwy 49 Lemmon, SD 57638

9015 ND Hwy 49 Lemmon, SD 57638

701.376.3238

701.376.3526

Thorstenson Gelbvieh

Selby, South Dakota Annual Bull Sale 1st Saturday in March Brian & Dee Dee Vaughn & Wendy 605-649-9927 605-649-6262 www.Balancerbulls.com

Proven Genetics with Balanced Traits!

Keith, Janice, Dustin & Britney

Evolution of DNA technology DNA technology is advancing at a pace very similar to computer technology. DNA is very simple as its repeating units of AGCT, which have a reverse complement of TCGA. The Watson-Crick base-pairing allows this biological process to be easily computerized, which meshes well with the data systems of breed associations. In 2004, the first cow sequenced was Dominette, an inbred Hereford. The process cost approximately $50 million dollars with the bill being paid by National Institutes of Health, USDA, and several other partners. Today genome sequences can be completed for approximately $5,000 and there is a global project called, “1000 bull genomes” http:// www.1000bullgenomes.com/ working to complete the sequence on this many bulls. With all this sequence, comes massive knowledge of genotypes that can be placed on chips. There are currently more than ten genotyping chips being marketed that range from 3K to 800K in their density. The 800K chip is frequently called BovineSNPHD with the HD meaning “high density” (i.e., 800,000 genotypes across the 30 cattle chromosomes). With knowledge of so many genotypes, the chip products and companies selling genotyping services are competing; thus, genotyping costs per animal are becoming much cheaper. Typical costs of genotyping/animal are approximately $250, $100, and $45 for the HD, 50K and lower density chips. Competition in the genomics market is a beneficial to the beef industry. However, we all must realize that DNA

605-852-2131

kvolek@venturecomm.net www.volekranch.com

34261 200th Street, Highmore, SD 57345

Steven A. Munger 605/380-0092 (cell) •

605/229-2802 (office) 605/229-2835 (fax)

Nate Munger 605/943-5690 (office) Cowherd Manager 605/380-2582 (cell) www.eaglepassranch.com

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

WISCONSIN Russell Family Livestock

R S S L

Ron, Alicia & Family Brooklyn, WI 608.455.1448 rrussell@ansci.wisc.edu facebook.com/RussellLivestock

Focused on Form & Function

Don’t think you can afford an ad in Gelbvieh World? For $297 you can be in every issue for one year! Call Jennifer or Lynn at the AGA office at

303-465-2333 The Profitpicture | 57

technology, and the translation of these technologies, will continue to rapidly evolve.

How do we keep up with advancing technology?

The most prevalent challenge to the segments of the beef industry working with genotyping technology will be deciding the

most cost effective genotyping platform (i.e., which chips and which genotypes to use with their EPD system?). In parallel, how will breeding organizations manage these BIG DATA, which quickly makes files terabytes in size (i.e., 1012 bytes). As in the history of developing EPD, breeders and breed improvement committees of breed associations must work hard to understand the technology and how to best use it for genetic improvement. This will be a challenge as everyone must realize that the federal funding for NBCEC has been eliminated and the base-funding for animal agriculture research at land grant universities has not kept pace with the value of the dollar for decades. Thus, new partnerships among the beef industry, USDA, and universities must be formed. Please note that a cooperative relationship for management of big data was established in September of 2013 between the USDA-ARS and the Colorado State University Agricultural Experiment Station. The groups provided funding to start to construct a database to manage genomic data to parallel phenotypic information now stored in A-GRIN (http://nrrc. ars.usda.gov/A-GRIN/main_ webpage/ars?record_source=US), which preserves germplasm for livestock. The partnership is reaching out to breed associations for participation and long-term sustainability and use of the database. Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s note: Dr. Milt Thomas is the John E. Rouse Chair of Animal Breeding at Colorado State University. The above proceedings are reprinted from the Range Beef Cow Symposium XXIII held in Rapid City, S.D.

58 | October 2014

Feature

Bachman Cattle Farms - A Progressive Approach to Red Genetics Scott Bachman and wife Sue are owners of Bachman Cattle Farms in Chillicothe, Mo., where they raise Red Angus, Gelbvieh, and Balancer® cattle. Their goal as a seedstock operation is to “develop the finest in red breeding stock.” By Megan Slater THE BACHMAN FAMILY has been raising cattle in northern Missouri for nearly 50 years. Scott returned home to the farm in 2004, and in 2010 Scott and Sue bought their first herd sires from Beiber Red Angus. They also purchased some of the elite Gelbvieh genetics the breed had to offer, including HFGC Vickie Vail 173Y34 from Hart Farm, CIRS Buttons 6BX ET from Circle S Ranch, and BEA Cindy Lou Who from Beastrom Gelbvieh. The registered herd was built with these top genetics via in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET). Today, the operation continues to use these reproductive technologies in its transition from a commercial herd to a seedstock herd. Currently, they have a herd of 200 mother cows with 170 cows directly in their seedstock program and 30 recipient cows. Bachman Cattle Farms is building a solid base of both Red Angus genetics as well as red Gelbvieh genetics. Scott enjoys using Gelbvieh females due to all they have to offer, including maternal characteristics, structure, and stayability. The Bachman family has always primarily used

Gelbvieh and Red Angus in their commercial operation and after finding that this combination of breeds performs the best in a commercial setting Scott and Sue wanted to build their seedstock herd on these breeds as well. “We saw these cattle have fantastic records, great feet and great calves,” says Scott. “The breeds really compliment each other and have an excellent mothering ability.” In fact, some of their seedstock herd is based on their two top performing commercial cows. Bachmans’ breeding objectives are to provide high quality genetics that encompass the whole package for their customers. However, Scott has seen an opportunity in the market for red-hided Gelbvieh bulls that exhibit good quality carcass traits. By taking these maternal Gelbvieh females and breeding them to solid Red Angus genetics their goal is improve carcass traits in both red-hided Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle. Improving Gelbvieh carcass qualities, specifically, improving marbling to 60 percent Choice is a high-priority breed improvement goal in the long-range strategic

plan of the American Gelbvieh Association. By trying to improve this quality through Scott and Sue Bachman, Owners, Bachman using red genetics Cattle Farms rather than black genetics, Bachman is being progressive to his Gelbvieh breed improvement operation. This means that at least approach. 75 percent of their seedstock herd has at least 75 percent of their Bachman cattle currently offers EPDs in the top 25 percent of their a very uniform set of EPDs with breed ranking. their Red Angus cattle and are close to achieving their genetic goal of “75/75/25” for their entire

“Bachmans’ program stands out from the rest because of

Top of the line SEGA Females like this cow/calf will be offered December 6, 2014, at the farm!

Steve & Gail Fiolkoski 16509 WCR 86 • Pierce, CO 80650

Feel free to come look at the bull calves to be sold at our sale March 7, 2015, while at the December female sale!

Gail’s Cell: 970/590-4862 • Steve’s Cell: 970/381-0600 Email: gafiolk@aol.com • www.segagelbvieh.com Find us on Facebook at Sega Gelbvieh

The Profitpicture | 59

IMPACTING Profit American Gelbvieh Association • 303-465-BEEF (2333) • www.gelbvieh.org 60 | October 2014

WESTERN BREEDERS the attention they give to cow productivity. All of their cattle have good fleshing and reproductive ability,” says Frank Padilla, director of breed promotion for the American Gelbvieh Association. “They are doing great things for the Gelbvieh and Balancer breeds through their performance program and EPDs. They also pay close attention to structure and have sound cattle with longevity.” The Bachmans’ are working hard to make “Bachman Bred” a reputable name their customers can respect, trust in, and rely on. Bachmans market both to the commercial cattlemen and other seedstock producers. The operation offers cattle that are proven to work in a commercial setting in addition to quality Red Angus and Gelbvieh genetics that appeal to other seedstock producers. In 2014 was the first year that “Bachman Bred” bulls and heifers were available for sale. The operation took part in the Ozark Red Roundup Sale, in Springfield, Mo., this past April where they had 50 lots up for sale, both Red Angus and Balancer cattle. Bachman offered a wide array of genetics and genetic packages, from bred Balancer females that appealed to commercial cattlemen, to high end Red Angus genetics that were purchased by other seedstock producers. Currently, Bachmans’ have registered Red Angus and Balancer open heifers, bred heifers, yearling bulls and a few select commercial composite yearling bulls for sale via private treaty.

ARIZONA The Prosser Family

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 Yerington, NV

COLORADO

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

(970) 323-6833 www.bowkranch.com

NEVADA

Scott, a former electrical engineer, says he is very data and numbers driven. When asked what he enjoys most about being a seedstock producer Scott said, “The challenge of looking at a herd and the data and trying to look for genetic patterns and tools that can be used to improve those herds.” Scott is certainly on the progressive side of using these tools to improve his herd. Through doing work with Trans Ova in Chillicothe, they have built up a stock of 500 embryos that are ready to be implanted and will be used to build up the herd in the future. The three-year goal of Bachman Cattle Farms is to work with cooperator herds around the area in order to further expand the operation’s genetic offerings through serving as recipients for the embryos. This, in addition to the 200 head cow base the operation already has, will continue to progress and expand “Bachman Bred” genetics in hopes of eventually having their own production sale. nnn

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

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

MONTANA

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

2633 Hwy 12 East • Clarkston, WA 99403

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

The Profitpicture | 61

Feature

10 Inspired Questions for Perpetuating Generational Ranches The biggest threat to the future of the family ranch isn’t cattle prices, land prices or federal regulation; it’s the lack of positive and consistent communication within the ranch family. By Dave Specht EVERY CATTLE RANCH faces questions about how to operate, how to position for the future, who should own the ranch and who has the talent to manage the ranch. While all of these questions are difficult, they must be confronted. To help you get the dialogue started, there are ten questions that every ranch family should ask each family member. Asking these questions will create a dialogue

62 | October 2014

and will clarify gaps in perceptions and expectations. Changing a pattern of communication does not happen overnight and will take practice, but the consequences of not trying are ultimately the possible fractures in family relationships and the loss of family ownership of the ranch long term.

What does it mean to

be a (insert your last name)? The first question you might consider is “What does it mean to be a (insert your last name)? This is a great icebreaker question for families holding a family meeting or if you are just riding around in the truck together. The responses of your spouse, children, and grandchildren might surprise you.

A discussion about what it means to be a (insert last name) may initiate a conversation that allows emotion to bubble up and may facilitate a generational connection that didn’t exist before.

What is the biggest unknown regarding the future of the family ranch? The future of the family ranch usually looks different depending on who you ask. Each participant sees the ranch through a different lens and it is unreasonable to assume that you know how each

person feels without asking directly. While all responses may not be the same, it will be crucial to know the perceptions of family members in order to manage expectations and to have the type of conversations necessary to not have anyone surprised by big decisions regarding the ranch. Ultimately it is crucial that the generations understand the fears of each other and then respect and work through the uncertainty together.

What is or would be the hardest thing about being a parent and an owner of the ranch? One of the key challenges of perpetuating the ranch is found in the multiple roles that people play simultaneously. One example may be a mother, wife and co-owner of the ranch with non-operating in-laws. In this situation it is natural to be conflicted in how you treat people and situations depending on what hat you are wearing at the time. Some things that you would want to do as a mother would not be appropriate to do if you were “just an owner” of a cattle ranch. A parent’s desire to treat children equally can cause significant operational challenges if not carefully executed. Coming to terms with your multiple roles and then working through the challenges of making decisions in these types of situations will be critical to navigating the complexities that you are faced with.

What do you perceive as the biggest challenge regarding shared ownership in a family ranch? Sharing ownership of anything

is difficult, but when you consider sharing ownership of an operating ranch, the complexity is almost staggering. You should

carefully consider the unintended consequences of forcing people to own things jointly. The challenges of sharing ownership with non-

operators should also be carefully considered. If that is the path for your family ranch, there will need to be significant investments made

Performance

without sacrificing

Calving Ease KCF Bennett Y223

AMGV 1204896

Semen: $20.00

•

Actual BW 83 lbs

•

WW 763 lbs

109.6 ratio

•

YW 1,177 lbs.

102.6 ratio

•

Calves average BW 74 lbs.

•

Well muscled power in a 6.1 frame

•

Calves show impressive muscle & performance not often found with calving ease.

Purebred • Homo Black • Homo Polled

Bennett S30

Bennett R517

Sire: Bennett T524

Dam: Miss S30 U254

Miss King Pin P29

CED 11 20%

BW -0.2 25%

WW 79 15%

YW 105 25%

Miss Benchmark P30

MK 30

TM 69 20%

CEM 8 25%

CRAN Z007

Balancer 75%

Non-Diluter

YW 102

MK 30

YG -0.32

CW 30

REA 0.45

MB $Cow FPI EPI -0.28 65.30 69.73 242.02 15% 10%

Semen: $20.00

WW 782 lbs.

120 ratio

•

YW 1,235 lbs.

104.1 ratio

•

Yearling frame 6.3

Scrotal 48.7

•

Strong phenotype

•

Bull calves show tremendous muscle & performance

•

Strong maternal EPDs produce power females

XXB Drew 565K

Dam: CRAN Miss Drew N314 CRAN Miss Atlas K43

TJB Vanessa 471P ET WW 75 15%

DMI -0.27

•

Homo Polled

Sire: CRAN X178ET BW -2.6 10%

ST 7

AMGV 1224961

SAV Final Answer 0035

CED 15 10%

HP PG30 2.90 1.40

TM 68 10%

CEM 14 1%

ST 6 20%

YG -0.54 4%

CW 25

REA 0.58 25%

MB FPI 0.19 84.48 15%

Jim & Sherri Michaletz 479-366-1234 jmichal@netins.net

The Profitpicture | 63

in creating communication plans, establishing the rights of owners and then creating an internal market for ownership shares if

someone would like to sell their share of the ranch in the future.

At what age do the

decisions in your personal life influence how people look at the

Be Our Partner! Grandpa advised dad to start A.I.’ing our cows in the late 1960’s. Now with decades of continuous A.I. and an aggressive E.T. program, IT SHOWS!

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LEMKE CATTLE 9th ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE

Saturday, February 28, 2015 • 1:00 pm CST • at the Ranch Randy and Leslie Lemke 1757 Road 2500 Lawrence, NE 68957 Phone: 402-756-7090 Cell: 402-469-2284

For more information Visit our new website: www.lemkecattle.com

64 | October 2014

ranch? All successful generational family operations come with expectations that the community places on the family. At a very young age, children should know that their choices reflect not only on the family name, but could also impact how people feel about the family ranch. Poor judgment and run-ins with the law can put a black eye on the reputation of the family operation. With privileges come responsibility and all family members should realize that in family business an individual’s personal conduct can have an impact on the family operation.

What is your comfort level with having to personally guarantee the debt of the family ranch? As a parent, there is a tendency to want to shield your children from as many of the stresses of life as possible. In doing so children may have an unrealistic expectation for what it means to be an owner. It is crucial to learn about the risk temperament of anyone you are considering including in ownership. While a family may be asset rich, most still operate with some short term and long-term debt obligations. With debt comes risk and that doesn’t always mean just business risk. The concept of having to personally pledge assets in order for a lending institution to give you a loan should not be overlooked as you are training up the next generation. Some may not be wired to handle the stress and pressures of a personal guarantee. It is best to know now the risk tolerance of those that you are planning on participating in the ranch as an owner.

If you owned the ranch, what do you

think would keep you awake at night? The challenges that worry you about the family ranch may not be the same thing that worries other owners or potential owners of the ranch. Addressing the fears and anxieties of ownership of the ranch will facilitate conversation, enhance understanding and ultimately may influence how ownership succession takes place.

for someone returning to run/own the ranch is when their eyes are wide open to the challenges and opportunities that come with the privilege of owning the ranch.

Iowa

Breeders

What innovations will the family ranch have to make to stay competitive? The one thing that is constant in any business is change. Innovations in the industry will

Neola, Iowa

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

To navigate generational transitions of the family ranch it isn’t always important to have all the answers, but it is crucial to ask the right questions. Invest time thinking about the questions that you should be asking your family about the future of the family ranch and then have the courage to ask these questions. Complete this sentence: “The best thing about being a part of a family ranch is . . .” Deciding to be a part of the ranch is not always logical. It isn’t always the most profitable venture that an individual could choose. Many times it is an emotional connection to the ranch that keeps people ranching when things are tough. Accessing individual’s emotional connection to the operation may bring insight and appreciation to what they love about the ranch. When you know what others love about the ranch, it will allow you to relate and connect with them on a different level. It also may help inform how the person fits into the operational aspects of the ranch.

What responsibilities come with owning a ranch? Owning a ranch is not for the faint of heart. It isn’t all beautiful landscapes and breathtaking sunsets. Owning a ranch comes with responsibility. As the next generation has an opportunity to verbalize what they see as the responsibilities of owning a ranch are, this will open the door to further conversations that will give perspective and a healthy reality to the next generation. The best-case scenario

influence how productive you can operate. The need to improve efficiency and profitability will necessitate willingness and an ability to change and adapt with the times. Whether it is marketing, nutrition, range management or changes in estate tax laws the ability to adapt and embrace change will be key to finding continual success across generations. To navigate generational transitions of the family ranch it isn’t always important to have all the answers, but it is crucial to ask the right questions. Invest time thinking about the questions that you should be asking your family about the future of the family ranch and then have the courage to ask these questions, whether in a family meeting setting or individually. You will be pleasantly surprised what you will learn as you encourage dialogue and sharing. The talents and capacity of multiple generations on the ranch can only be tapped into effectively when the family establishes a pattern for communication. Enjoy the journey and start asking questions now! Editor’s note: Dave Specht is with Advising Generations, LLC., of Connell, Wash. The above proceedings are from the Range Beef Cow Symposium XXIII held in Rapid City, S.D.

Kevin Gunderson: 402-510-8103

Rafter

Al Schulz: 402-676-5292

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

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

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 Profitpicture | 65

MIDWEST BREEDERS KANSAS

Bar Arrow Cattle Company Stuar t Jar vis

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

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

Juniors! Check www.GELBVIEH.org often for show information and results on regional shows and the Junior Classic!

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

Promote for Success! Upcoming Advertising Deadlines: December Gelbvieh World Early copy deadline: October 27 Regular rates deadline: November 3

Call 303-465-2333 today!

Committed to raising quality seestock Registered Gelbvieh and Balancer® Cattle Elmer, Brenda, Brad & Benny McWilliams Asbury, MO 64832 • 417-642-5871 • 417-529-0081(cell)

MISSOURI Judd Ranch Inc.

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

B/F Cattle Company

Specializing in Forage Raised Balancer® Bulls on K-31

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

Route 1, Box 407 • Butler, MO 64730

660 • 492 • 2808 Top Quality • High Performing • Calving Ease

SimAngus, Balancer (GvAn) 18 mo bulls, Forage Developed, Good Disposition EPDs show superior genetics & ancestry, Thick, Deep, Stretchy Guaranteed Bob Harriman Genetics Montrose, MO • 660-492-2504

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

66 | October 2014

bharriman39@hotmail.com

Thanks to all for investing 50 years in this program from pasture to plate.

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

RogeRs Valley FaRm gelbVieh 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) Ronald & Kathryne Rogers email: rogers_valley_farm_feedlot@hotmail.com

MIDWEST BREEDERS 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

Consistent Genetics Adding Pounds & Profit

Myron & Valerie Bahm

Mark & Patty Goes 70948 L Rd. , Orleans, NE 68966 308-473-7342 • 308-999-0207

Cedar Top Ranch Scott & Raberta Starr 212 Starr Drive • Stapleton, NE 69163

4375 White Oak Rd Fordland, MO 65652

(H): 308-587-2293 • (C): 308-530-3900 cedartopranch@gpcom.net

417-753-3578(h) • 417-576-0687(c)

Eldon Starr: 1-800-535-6173 or Rich Johnson: 402-368-2209

email: whiteoakfarms@live.com

39414 SW 75th Rd. Odell, NE 68415 (402) 766-3627

J. J. Boehler

Pope Farms Gelbvieh

Jeff and Jeanne Pope 26075 Willow Rd., Ravenna, NE 68869 Phone & Fax: (308) 467-BEEF Cell: (308) 390-0657 jeff@popefarms.com

www.popefarms.com

Registered Gelbvieh & Balancer®

Jeff Swanson • 308/337-2235 10908 724 Rd • Oxford, NE 68967

Annual Sale—Last Saturday in February

Stay Connected!

GELBVIEH

BALANCER

Keep up to date with shows, sales and other events by visiting www.GELBVIEH.org

Be sure to Like us on Facebook

And look for new videos on our YouTube channel

NEBRASKA

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

We want to Keep up with AGA members. Please send in information to be included in the Gelbvieh World and on our website: • • • •

Items for Places to Be News for Bits N Pieces Dates for upcoming shows and field days. State Association news

Plus, add us to your mailing lists when sending out sale catalogs. Send all items to: Editor, Gelbvieh World • 10900 Dover St., Westminster, CO 80021 jennifers@gelbvieh.org

The Profitpicture | 67

Feature

Former Gelbvieh Junior Members Help Improve Cattle Population in Russia Michael Rea, Dustin Aherin and Justin Vehige, all former members of the American Gelbvieh Junior Association (AGJA) recently returned from Russia after doing reproductive work on the Stevenson Sputnik Ranch located near Voronezh, Russia. By Megan Slater MICHAEL REA OF Berthoud, Colo., and graduate of Colorado State University, has worked for the Stevenson Sputnik Ranch in Russia since December 2012. He helps to manage the ranch’s 6,000 mother cows, 1,500 Angus and 4,500 commercial, including doing extensive reproductive work. This past summer, he was able to ask Dustin Aherin, Phillipsburg, Kan., recent graduate of Kansas State University and Justin Vehige, of Bonnots Mill, Mo., currently attending Fort Scott Community College, to join him on the ranch as interns. Michael, Dustin and Justin knew each other from their years in the AGJA. Dustin served on the AGJA Board of Directors for five years, including two years as president. Justin also served on the Board for two years, and was the 2013-2014 vice president of leadership development. All three gentlemen say it was the AGJA that got them ready for experiences like this.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for the people that I have met and contests that I did through the AGJA,” says Michael. “I would say the AGJA is one of the best junior programs out there because they are one of the most focused on the actual development of the youth. They take it a step further than just showing cattle,” adds Dustin. All three were also heavily involved with livestock judging which they say taught them the confidence, key decision-making skills, and patience that were all essential, along with mental toughness, to make their time in Russia successful. Darrell Stevenson, of Montana, started the Stevenson Sputnik Ranch in December 2010 with the help of two Russian businessmen. Since then, over 1,500 head of cattle have been sent to the ranch, located 340 miles south of Moscow, by air and sea. With the country having banned an array of agriculture products including beef

One of the ranches at Stevenson Sputnik. Photo courtesy of Stevenson Sputnik.

68 | October 2014

imports from the United States, the country is now learning how to feed itself again. At the beginning of 2013, the Russian cattle population was 19.4 million head, compared to the 95 million head currently in the United States. Previously, Russia’s beef supply came from dairy cows, due to the concentration on dairy under the Soviet Union. The land in Russia is well suited for raising cattle, with a 180-day growing season and an average of 24 inches of annual rainfall. However, there is little to no beef cattle experience amongst the people in Russia. Not only will American cattle be the foundation for the Russian cattle population due to this successful operation, but they are also helping to teach the Russian people proper cattle handling practices. There are three ranch locations that make up the Stevenson Sputnik Ranch, in which two ranches surround a village and the third ranch is an hour and half away. The three gentlemen lived in bunkhouses located on the ranch, along with the other employees. All together there were three different languages spoken and four cultures, Americans, Brazilians, Upper class and lower class Russians, working together. Michael, Dustin, and Justin say they often had to communicate through gestures and generally had no problem, even commenting that they may have “over-communicated” at times.

Seedstock Plus Fall Bull Sale October 18, 2014 * 12 noon

• • • • • • •

Joplin Regional Stockyards Joplin, MO Selling 150 Gelbvieh & Balancer Bulls

Guaranteed Sight-Unseen Purchases! Free Trucking on EVERY Bull! Extensive Data & EPDs! Some RFI Tested Bulls! All Bulls Are Semen & Trich Tested! Bulls are tested Genetic Defect Free! Videos of ALL SALE BULLS on website the week before the sale!

Seestock Plus Influence Commercial Female Sale

in conjunction with the special cow sale November 22, 2014 * 11 am Kingsville Livestock, Kingsville, MO Selling: Fall Breds & Pairs, Bred Heifers, Open Heifers expecting at least 200 head with consignments still coming in.

Remember to Join Us! Seedstock Plus Field Day October 4, 2014 hosted at RJM Farms starts @ 10 a.m 3 miles south of Holden, MO on Hwy 131

* Guest Speakers! * Tour of the GrowSafe SystemTM & Development Pens * Time to view the sale bulls that sell on October 18th! * Food & fellowship with other cattlemen & breeders! CALL TOLL FREE FOR YOUR CATALOGS TODAY 877-486-1160

To view on-line catalogs and videos: www.seedstockplus.com Contact Seedstock Plus at: 877-486-1160 or email: john@seedstockplus.com

The Profitpicture | 69

Part of the team at Stevenson Sputnik including Michael Rea, Dustin Aherin and Justin Vehige, pictured furthest on the right. Photo courtesy of Stevenson Sputnik. The three also commented that the Brazilians were great to work with and were very eager to teach Dustin and Justin new things. In downtime, they were able to learn how to palpate a corpus luteum, follicles, and ovaries. “We got a lot of practice on things that you wouldn’t normally get to do,” says Dustin. He and Justin would also help to teach the Brazilians English. When asked what he has gained through the experience Michael said, “Working with people and lots of practice doing reproductive work.” In fact, over the course of the summer the whole team artificially inseminated 1,700 females, did ovum pickup (OPU) on over

Dustin Aherin assisting with reproductive work on the ranch. Photo courtesy of Stevenson Sputnik.

1,083 cows and put in 2,998 sexed female embryos that were 100 percent in vitro fertilization. Eighty-five percent of this work was done on pasture with portable panels tied together with twine. “Twine ties the operation together,” says Dustin with a smile.

they would breed over 350 females, pull CIDRs, as well as tag and tattoo calves.

Michael believes that Stevenson Sputnik is the first to perform ovum pickup (also referred to as transvaginal oocyte retrieval) on this many cows all on pasture. The team would perform this procedure on as many as eight cows in one hour, totaling 60 cows in one day.

The team did all of this work outside in all conditions. Cattle had to be gathered every day from the pastures that were spread out through the ranches and they could only use horses to do so. The three mentioned that everyday was different and you never knew how it was going to go, it kept you on your toes but it was exciting.

On a busy day the team would have over 1,000 animals through the chute between all three of the ranches. This included days where

Montana

Breeders

“Gelbvieh since 1973”

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

Look for our consignments at the NILE Gelbvieh Sale, October 18, 2014 • Our Production Sale, March 20, 2014

70 | October 2014

Ken and Dale Flikkema 2 Mint Trail • Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 586-6207 (Office) (406) 580-6207 (Cell) email: mcfg@imt.net Black, Purebred & Balancer Cattle “Our Aim is Your Target”

Throughout the summer, Dustin was able to get experience pregnancy checking over 400 cows. “I worked harder than I ever have in my life,” adds Dustin.

In addition to reproductive work on the ranch, the gentlemen also taught the Russians how to handle and take care of cattle. There were a variety of experience levels among the employees of the ranch and some had never been around cattle before. Michael, Dustin and Justin were setting the example for these native people and had to be very careful what they said and did. They also had to be deliberate about what they were doing and think about the consequences, good or bad. Michael commented the three had to pick their battles, and not be too picky when teaching cattle handling, “Our goal was to train the Russians to get acceptable results, with flow and function”. All three of the gentlemen were very thankful for the opportunity to go to Russia and say they owe a lot to the AGJA because of it. This experience has, and will continue to open doors for even more opportunities for them in the industry. nnn

SOUTHEAST BREEDERS KENTUCKY

M & W Farms

Producing Black, Polled Genetics for Today & Tomorrow.

Maryville, Tennessee

Quality Black Bulls & Heifers for sale Lynn Waters 3525 Tuckaleechee Pike Maryville, TN 37803

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

102 Merlin Dr. Georgetown, KY 40234 Steve, Ashley, Jordan & Jason McIntosh 502-868-5726 Clifford & Faye McIntosh 502-863-1135 Breeding Gelbvieh since 1989

Mick Ainsworth

1613 Derby Road P.O. Box 154 Jackson Springs, NC 27281

R T G

865.660.9227 lynnmwfarms@gmail.com

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

910-652-2233 Cell: 910-638-8436 Mick’s email: longleaf@etinternet.net Grass Grown • Carcass Quality & Performance

VIRGINIA

Get ready for upcoming sales!

QUALITY GELBVIEH CATTLE

Advertise in Gelbvieh World or the Profit Picture

TENNESSEE NORTH CAROLINA

Quality Gelbvieh & Balancer® Cattle

Dr. Daryl Wilson Tyler Wilson (276) 676-2242

LITTLE WINDY HILL

Farms Doug & Sue Hughes 6916 Peppers Ferry Road Max Meadows, VA 24360 H 276/637-3916 C 276/620-4271

Joe & Gwen Wilson (276) 628-4163

Registered (276) 614-0117 (C) Gelbvieh Cattle

17462 Fenton Dr., Abingdon, VA 24210 • TrebleWRanch@aol.com

ClinCh Mountain Gelbvieh

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

7611 Dyer Rd. Luttrell, TN 37779 j.b.loy@att.net

Bulls & Heifers for Sale

WEST VIRGINIA

“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

The Profitpicture | 71

Places to Be October 2014 Oct. 4

January 2015

Seedstock Plus Field Day, Holden, MO

Oct. 11 Judd Ranch 24 Annual Cow Power Female Sale, Pomona, KS th

Oct. 18 NILE Select Gelbvieh & Balancer Female Sale, Billings, MT Oct. 18 John Oswald Open House, Hutchison, KS Oct. 18 Seedstock Plus Fall Bull Sale, Joplin, MO Oct. 18 Midwest Beef Alliance Bull & Female Sale, Marshall Junction, MO

Jan. 10 NWSS Junior Gelbvieh and Balancer Heifer Show, Denver, CO Jan. 10 People’s Choice Balancer Bull Futurity, Denver, CO Jan. 10 Breeder’s Choice Gelbvieh Bull Futurity, Denver, CO Jan. 11 NWSS Gelbvieh and Balancer Pen Bull Show, Denver, CO Jan. 11 National Gelbvieh and Balancer Sale, Denver, CO

Mar. 10 Bar Arrow Cattle Company 25th Annual Production Sale, Phillipsburg, KS Mar. 14 Genetic Power Bull Sale, Springfield, MO Mar. 14 Pearson Cattle Company Annual Bull Sale, Lake City, SD Mar. 14 Rippe Gelbvieh 16th Annual Bull Sale, Belleville, KS Mar. 19 Kicking Horse Ranch Annual Production Sale, Great Falls, MT

Oct. 25 McNeill Farms Performance Bull & Female Sale, Seagrove, NC

Jan. 12 National Gelbvieh and Balancer Show, Denver, CO

Mar. 20 Black Gold Cattle Company 9th Annual Share the Gold Bull Sale, La Junta, CO

Oct. 25 American Royal Gelbvieh & Balancer Show, Kansas City, MO

Febuary 2015

Oct. 25 Flying H Genetics Bull Sale, Lowry City, MO

Feb. 7

Mar. 21 Jumping Cow Gelbvieh & Ridinger Cattle Company Spirit of the West Bull Sale, Ramah, CO

November 2014

Feb. 14 LeDoux Ranch Annual Production Sale, Agenda, KS

Nov. 1

Professional Bull Genetics 35th Bull Sale, Windsor, MO

Feb. 14 Prairie Hills Gelbvieh Power on the Prairie Bull Sale, Gladstone, ND

Nov. 1

TJB Gelbvieh Annual Bull Sale, Chickamauga, GA

Nov. 1-2 J&D Kerstiens Gelbvieh Open House with Private Treaty Sale, Huntingburg, IN Nov. 8

C-Cross Cattle Company Fall Bull & Female Sale, Biscoe, NC

Nov. 8

HAGA “Show-Me” Futurity Plus Sale, Springfield, MO

Lost River Livestock Annual Production Sale, Clearbrook, MN

Feb. 17 Cedar Top Ranch Annual Production Sale, Burwell, NE Feb.19

Gustin’s Gelbvieh Annual Production Sale, Mandan, ND

Feb. 21 Overmiller Gelbvieh & Red Angus Annual Production Sale, Smith Center, KS Feb. 28 Swanson Cattle Company 28 Annual Production Sale, Oxford, NE th

Nov. 15 Little Windy Hill Farms You-Pick-Em Bull Sale, Max Meadows, VA

Feb. 28 Lemke Cattle Annual Bull Sale, Lawrence, NE

Nov. 15 NAILE Gelbvieh Heifer Show, Louisville, KY

March 2015

Nov. 18 Breeder’s Choice Gelbvieh Heifer Futurity, Louisville, KY

Mar. 2

Hojer Ranch Annual Production Sale, Lake Preston, SD

Nov. 18 NAILE Eastern National Gelbvieh & Balancer Show, Louisville, KY

Mar. 3

Warner Beef Genetics Genetic Investment Production Sale, Arapahoe, NE

Mar. 4

Spring Valley, LTD 25th Annual Sale, Agra, KS

Nov. 26 Canadian National Gelbvieh Show, Regina, SK Nov. 27 Canadian National Gelbvieh Sale, Regina, SK

December 2014 Dec. 5

Knoll Crest Farm Performance Bull Sale, Red House, VA

Dec. 6

SEGA Gelbvieh & Friends Female Sale, Pierce, CO

Dec. 6

Clinch Mountain Gelbvieh Complete Dispersal, Knoxville, TN

72 | October 2014

Mar. 7 Davidson Gelbvieh & Lonesome Dove Ranch 26th Annual Bull Sale, Ponteix, SK Mar. 7

Thorstenson Lazy TV Ranch Annual Production Sale, Selby, SD

Mar. 7

SEGA Gelbvieh Private Treaty Bull Sale- Opening Day, Pierce, CO

Mar. 7

Judd Ranch 37th Gelbvieh, Balancer and Red Angus Bull Sale, Pomona, KS

Mar. 21 Post Rock Cattle Company Cowman’s Kind Bull & Female Sale, Barnard, KS Mar. 21 Lone Oak Cattle Bull Sale, Mechanicsville, IA Mar. 21 6th Annual Southwest Iowa Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull & Female Sale, Creston, IA Mar. 28 Oklahoma State Association Sale, MacAlester, OK

April 2015 Apr. 4

Going to Grass Sale, Canton, KS

Apr. 6

17th Annual Schroeder Ranch Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale, Mitchell, SD

Visit the online version of Places to Be at www.gelbvieh.org for additional dates on upcoming sales and more information on each event.

GREAT COWS...

JEMG LEE ANN 650U 75% GV DONOR HOMOZYGOUS POLLED AMGV 1089059 650U has earned her way into the donor pen - her only two sons to date are the popular AI sires pictured below. She has calves coming this fall by: SINK Full Throttle 27T, AMGV 1033859; JEMG X414 ET, AMGV 1144795; and KLBF King of the Hill (Hank), AMGV 651744.

JEMG SILVER DOLLAR Z645 88% PB GV BULL HOMOZYGOUS POLLED For semen, contact Hojer Ranch.

AMGV 1242317

J BAR M GELBVIEH

CattleDesign®

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

VER LEE ANN 309M grandam of 650U

88% PB GV BULL

JEMG STEAKHOUSE Y527 HOMOZYGOUS POLLED AMGV 1182042 For semen, contact MMS.

MAKE GREAT BULLS The Profitpicture | 73

Ad Index Gustin’s Diamond D Gelbvieh...................................48, 56

National CUP Lab........................75

HAGA............................................58

Plateau Gelbvieh.....................49, 61

3 G Ranch......................................52

Cedar Top Ranch................. IFC, 67

ABCS Gelbvieh.............................56

Chimney Butte Ranch..................56

Adkins Gelbvieh.....................29, 56

CJ&L Livestock.............................57

AGA...............................................60

Clinch Mountain Gelbvieh....26, 71

B/F Cattle Company.....................66

Cranview Gelbvieh.................21, 56

Bachman Farms......................19, 48

Cunningham, Ronn.....................75

Bar Arrow Cattle Company........66

Danell Diamond Six Ranch.........61

Bar IV Livestock...........................71

DDM Gelbvieh..............................52

Bar T Bar Ranch, Inc....................61

Diamond L Farms........................50

Beastrom Gelbvieh Ranch...........56

Dobson Ranch................................ 6

Black Gold Cattle Company.......25

Dromgoole’s Heaven....................50

Blackhawk Cattle Company........52

Eagle Pass Ranch..........................57

Boehler Gelbvieh..........................67

Ellison Gelbvieh & Angus Ranch.............................................57

J&K Farm.......................................52

Ertel Cattle Company..................30

Judd Ranch, Inc....................... 1, 66

Flying H Genetics................. 67, BC

Jumping Cow Gelbvieh................13

Gelbvieh Bull Barn.................23, 75

Kenyon Cattle LLC.................46, 65

Rogers Valley Farm Gelbvieh.....................................9, 66

Gelbvieh Profit Partners..............51

Kicking Horse Ranch.......47, 61, 70

Russell Family Livestock..............57

Cattlemen’s Connection...............75

Goettlich Gelbvieh Ranch...........61

Kittle Gelbvieh Farms..................50

C-Cross Cattle Company...........................38, 39, 71

Golden Buckle Gelbvieh..............56

Knoll Crest Farm..........................11

Sawtooth Gelbvieh Cattle & Hay..................................61

Green Hills Gelbvieh....................71

Lambert, Doak..............................75

GS Ridge Top Ranch..............56, 65

Lammers Gelbvieh.......................31

Bow K Ranch................................61 Brandywine Farm.........................56 BV Ranch.......................................56 Canadian GV Assn.................75, 76 CattleMax Online.........................75

Hampton Cattle Company....14, 71 Harriman, Bob........................33, 66 Hart Farm Gelbvieh.................3, 66 Hartland Farm..............................66 Hilltop Farms................................66 Hill Top Haven Farm...................71 Hodges Ranch...............................50 Hojer Gelbvieh Ranch......22, 29, 57 J&D Kerstiens Gelbvieh...............45 J Bar M Gelbvieh....................66, 73

Ledgerwood Gelbvieh..................61 LeDoux Ranch........................55, 66 Lemke Cattle...........................64, 67 Leonhardt Cattle Company.........57 Linquist Farms..............................56 Little Windy Hill Farms.........35, 71 Lone Oak Cattle......................16, 56 Longleaf Station............................71 M&P Gelbvieh..............................67 M&W Farms.................................71 Maple Hill Farm...........................52 Markes Family Farms.......44, 50, 54 Martens Gelbvieh...................56, 65 Martin Cattle Company.........44, 50 Mattison Family Farm.................56 McIntosh Farm.......................14, 71 Middle Creek Farms..............61, 70 Miller Gelbvieh.............................50 Million Ayers Management.........32 Mitchell Marketing Service.........75 MLM Gelbvieh........................49, 67 Mulroy Farms................................66 Murray Farms...............................12

74 | October 2014

Overmiller Gelbvieh....................41 Pope Farms Gelbvieh...................67 Post Rock Cattle Company.....7, 66 Prairie Gelbvieh Alliance.............40 Prairie Hills Gelbvieh..................... 5 Professional Beef Genetics..........28 Rafter R Gelbvieh.........................65 Raile Gelbvieh...............................49 Register Farms..............................71 Ridinger Cattle Company............13 Rippe Gelbvieh........................42, 49 Rocking GV Gelbvieh..................66 Rocky Top Gelbvieh.....................71

Schafer Farms, Inc........................56 Schroeder Ranch..........................20 Seedstock Plus Genetics..............75 Seedstock Plus.........................69, 75 SEGA Gelbvieh.............................59 Southwest Iowa Bull Sale.............53 Spring Flood Ranch...............63, 67 Spring Valley, LTD........................27 Stucky Beef Genetics....................24 Swanson Cattle Company.....37, 67 Swenson Gelbvieh..................29, 56 Taubenheim Gelbvieh............62, 67 The 88 Ranch.................................67 Thorstenson Gelbvieh............15, 57 TJB Gelbvieh.................................17 Treble W Ranch............................71 Triple H Farms..............................56 Triple K Gelbvieh....................31, 66 Volek Ranch............................29, 57 Warner Beef Genetics .............. IBC White Oak Farms.........................67 Wildwood Acres...........................52 Wilkinson Gelbvieh.....................61 Wolf Gelbvieh...............................67 Yoder’s Prairie Acres..............43, 52

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

Eldon & Kathy Starr

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

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

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 STANDARD ISSUES:

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$650 $425 $325 $150

AUCTIONEER P.O. Box 146 • Rose, OK 74364 918-479-6410 office/fax 918-629-9382 cellular

$525 $450 $250 $30

Feb./Oct. Commercial Profit Picture Full Page 1/2 Page 1/4 Page Column inch

$675 $450 $275 $30

Color:

Four Color One Additional color

Ronn Cunningham

2/3 Page 1/2 Page Isand 1/4 Page Column inch

Photo scans:

To run as Black/white Color photos

JR Page 1/3 Page 1/6 Page

$525 $350 $200

$300 additional $150 additional

$10 each $20 each

Special production such as photo retouching is billed at cost at the rate of $60/hr. 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. For Feb./Oct. (Commercial Editions) and June/July (Herd Reference Edition) please call for rate specials and deadline information.

Call today: 303/465-2333 ADVERTISING CONTENT: The Editor 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.

The Profitpicture | 75

• Memberships available until start of the Futurity 2014 Canadian People's Choice Bull Futurity Membership Form Farm Name ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Owner(s) _____________________________________________ Phone (_____) _______________________ Email __________________________________ Address ________________________________________________________________________________ Zip Code ________________________________ ______ Canadian People's Choice Tier #1 Membership (1 vote & drawn down prizes) $400 ..................................................... $ ____________ ______ Canadian People's Choice Tier #2 Membership (1 vote, bull entry, semen, draw down prizes) $600 ............................... $ ____________ ______ Additional Tier #2 Bull Entries $200 ........................................................................................................................ $ ____________ Total Enclosed ................................................................................................................................................................. $ ____________ Authorized Signature _________________________________________________

Host Hotel: Hampton's Hilton - 403-346-6688. Room block until November 11/14 under Gelbvieh Association of AB/BC

For further information contact: Rodney Hollman • Ph: 403-588-8620 • rodscattle@platinum.ca

76 | October 2014

tie to A GOOD ONE

Genetic Investment PRODUCTION SALE Tuesday, March 3, 2015 • 1:00 PM ( CST ) At the Ranch • Arapahoe, NE 120 GELBVIEH & BALANCER® BULLS 50 ELITE GELBVIEH & BALANCER® FEMALES including progeny of the bulls featured

CED BW 20 -2.8

WW YW MK TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI 72 114 33 69 11 -0.30 33 0.34 0.87 101.59 DCSF POST ROCK HIGHLY FOCUSED 308Y8 50%GV, 50%AN Balancer® • Homozygous Black, Homozygous Polled KCF BENNETT QUALITY FOCUSED x DCSF POST ROCK SANDY 273W2

CED 13

BW 1.4

WW 69

YW 99

MK 25

TM 60

CEM YG CW 11 -0.39 30

REA MB FPI 0.52 0.88 91.90

DLW WHITE SAND 0318A

50%GV, 50%AN Balancer® • Homozygous Polled CTR SANDHILLS 0065X x DLW MS DESTINY 318X ET Top 1% for Marbling, top 1% for Yield Grade, top 2% for FPI, top 20% for Calving Ease. DDC. Semen available from Warner Beef Genetics, Sienknecht Cattle Co. and MMS.

CED 13

BW -1.6

WW 59

YW MK TM CEM YG CW REA MB FPI 98 34 64 5 -0.36 26 0.36 0.94 92.68 JCGR BAR GT CONTRACT 533Y ET 38%GV, 50%AN Balancer® • Homozygous Polled CONNEALY CONSENSUS 7229 x JCGR BAR GT HEPBURN 113T ET

Top 1% for FPI, top 2% for Marbling and Calving Ease, top 10% for low birth, top 20% for weaning, top 25% for yearling. Semen available from Warner Beef Genetics, Bull Barn Genetics and MMS.

Top 1% for marbling and FPI, top 2% for yield grade, top 10% milk, top 20% for calving ease and low birth. Semen available from Warner Beef Genetics, Sienknecht Cattle Co and MMS.

DLW EDISON 6718X 38%GV, 62%AN Balancer® • Homozygous Black, Homozygous Polled

CTR SANDHILLS 0065X 50%GV, 50%AN Balancer® • Homozygous Polled

Top 1% for yield grade, top 10% calving ease and top 15% low birth.

Top 20% marbling, carcass weight and weaning and top 25% yearling and FPI.

CattleDesign®

WARNER BEEF GENETICS Dan and Kate Warner 42198 Road 721, Arapahoe, NE 68922 Dan Warner: 308.962.6511 Monte Warner: 308.962.6136 Darren Warner: 308.824.2950

The Profitpicture | IBC

WHERE THE RANCHER COMES FIRST

Saturday, October 25th, 2014 • 1pm • Lowry City, MO BALANCER®

RED ANGUS

Our Entire Offering will be 18-20 month old 20A • 1262723 Sire: Mandan 5664

A6 • 1658970 Sire: Becton Halfmannhustler R588 CED WW YW MILK ME MB CW RE FAT 9 37 66 4 5 0.55 7 0.01 0.00

BALANCER®

CE WW YW CED MILK CW MB REA $CV $FM 4 72 113 2 37 39 0.21 0.60 50.45 44.87

SIMANGUSTM

AGE ADVANTAGE BULLS One of the Largest Selections of SimAngus Bulls Available ALL FALL! TM

Call, TEXT, or email your Sale Book Request Today! 116A • 1265143 Sire: Yukon 044X

D12A • 2829474 Sire: Hoover Dam

CE WW YW CED MILK CW MB REA $CV $FM 11 68 86 3 26 26 0.18 0.34 33.54 23.30

CE WW YW MCE MILK CW MB REA API TI 9.3 55.1 87.8 7.8 29.8 23.2 0.45 1.01 123.1 69.4

BALANCER®

SIMANGUSTM

FLYING H GENETICS 108A • 1262772 Sire: Top Gun CE WW YW CED MILK CW MB REA $CV $FM 10 68 108 8 26 36 0.27 0.53 54.42 42.96

I N D U S T R Y GELBVIEH | BALANCER

BC | October 2014

A774 • 2810460 Sire: Olie CE WW YW MCE MILK CW MB REA API TI 13.5 58.3 89.8 9.1 21.2 23.9 0.35 0.51 131.7 68.0

P R O V E N

| ANGUS | SIMANGUS

−

| SIMMENTAL

Jared Wareham, MO 417.309.0062 James Sparks, MO 660.287.4149 Cody & Casie Helms, MO, NE 303.842.9071 Kyle & Kayla Helms, NE 308.962.6490 Dick and Bonnie Helms 308.962.6500

R A N C H R E A D Y www.ﬂyinghgenetics.com