7 minute read
Commercial Connection, Josh Cribbs
by EDJE
MAINE-ANJOU Commercial Connection
JOSHUA CRIBBS AMAA Commercial Development Director
I hope this finds you well and the beginning of the New Year brings a fresh start to all of us in the agriculture sector. We have faced a tough year in 2019. For us, the Spring means the next calf crop at home and a chance to see if the breeding decisions we made will create progress or not. It brings to light the question of how to balance breeding cattle to generate look and performance that we want, and yet answers the request of our customer base.
This past Fall at the American MaineAnjou Association (AMAA) Annual Board Meeting, I made light to the fact that I feel as if the cattle industry has gone through a stent in the last decade – that is that seedstock breeders, with guidance of breed associations, push agendas that have segmented the beef industry into a specific trend. That trend is quite obviously based around marbling, achieving the lowest birth weights possible, and increasing EPD driven livestock. Without question, it has made significant impacts and improvements to the beef industry. It has led to us making a more uniform product regardless of breed influence. But, let’s touch base on where that has left us with regards to what the next step is and how we reach whatever that goal may be.
We have spent the last few years telling commercial breeders what they should want in their bulls instead of asking them what they need in the breeding stock they purchase. It’s safe to say that we have made changes that have been very impactful to the beef industry, but at times it feels that we have forgotten what truly secures our profits. That the profits on the commercial breeder – that’s in the trenches that sells cattle at weaning or after being processed through a Vac-45 program. They are the guys that make the world turn.
Moving forward as seedstock producers and cattlemen/women, be sure to take stock of your marketing plan and decisions. We are in a customer service business that relies heavily on us making sure we answer the request of the buyers that frequent our sales and places of our industry discussions and conferences. It has never been more important, as cow inventory goes up and supply of available genetics to buyers increase, that we must become more proactive in culturing relationships. Be sure to ask your customer what they need or how you can make a better product. The beef business, like every other commodity driven venture, is based on consistency and customer satisfaction.
Be sure to stay tuned into the Voice and social media in the months to come for updates on the fed cattle trial at South Dakota State University and know that they are off to a great start! First report is that they reached a nearly 4:1 Feed to Gain Ratio and around 3.7 a day. I hope that Christmas and the New Year’s found your family well. I look forward to the Spring and what’s new in advancing the Maine-Anjou breed another step in a positive direction!
Everett - Steve - Mike Forkner 9282 E. Indian Line Rd.• Richards, MO 64778 (417) 484-3306 • (877) 489-0570 • (417) 549-0666 www.trulinemaines.com • eforktlg@gmail.com BUILT
FOUNDATION ON A
Performance cattle based off of Performance Pedigrees and Performance EPDs.
Trait Leaders OF
Offering some of our very best this year in the Bright Lights Sale, January 18, in Denver, Colo. Bulls & Females sired by these 3 TLM standouts will be available for your evaluation. Real beef cattle, for real beef breeders. Stop by our pen!
TLM DEPTH CHARGE 675D TLM BAXTER 421B TLM EMPIRE 535C
TOP 10% MK & TM Sire: TLM Progress 341A Reg. # 471595 - Polled - Black - PB Maine-Anjou
TOP 1% YW Sire: TLM Synergy 825U Reg. # 449338 - Polled - Black - PB Maine-Anjou
TOP 3% WW - TOP 2% YW - TOP 1% TM Sire: LATH Imax 203Z Reg. # 460471 - Polled - Black - 5/8 Maine-Anjou
TESTED - TRUSTED - PROVEN
DEJONG RANCH 52ND ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE Thursday, March 5, 2020 Kimball Livestock Auction, Kimball, S.D. OFFERING 50 Coming Yearling Bulls - Maines, Angus & Simmental Top End You Pick’Em Open Heifer Calves Two Groups of Commercial Heifer Calves Complete Dispersal of Spring Calving Simmental Females
Focused on generations of balanced multi-trait selection, performance from pasture to plate and raised in commercial conditions. Live auction on dvauction.com Auctioneer Chisum Peterson More info at www.dejongranch.com
Miles (605) 869-2329 - Kevin (605) 869-2362 - Wyatt (605) 842-5683 31842 DeJong Rd. • Kennebec, SD 57544 dejongranch.com DEJONG RANCH
Wilson Family the
The ‘Maine Bull Sale’ March 25, 2020 Selling the Top Cut of 2019 Bull Calves Breeding 200+ Maine-Anjou/Mainetainer Females More details coming soon on swcattle.com “Our cowherd works for us - enabling our bulls to work for you!” S W
Shawn, Stacey, Jayse & Kadin - (639) 275-7550 Bill & Judi Wilson - (403) 560-5265 Breeding Maine-Anjou Genetics since 1971 Locations: Strathmore, AB & Leross, SK - Canada Jayse & Kadin www.wilsonwaterfowl.com
Other Services IVF & CONVENTIONAL EMBRYO TRANSFER Ability to Reverse Sort Semen ∫ Export Eligible (IVF ONLY) Board your donors at our facility
PREGNANT RECIP PROGRAM Call for Availability & Pricing
STORAGE, SHIPPING & DISTRIBUTION OF EMBRYOS & SEMEN FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS IN HOUSE LAB; PREGNANCY & DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
UPCOMING AI SCHOOL DATES MARCH 28-29 APRIL 25-26 SEPT 26-27 NOV 7-8
GALESBURG, KS 800-443-6389
Contact Us: Dr. Clem Neely, DVM & Dr. Don Coover, DVM
MAY WE ALL MATERNAL MADE DUEL ICON MCKINLEY 3/4 - Sired by Daddy’s Money 1/2 - Sired by Mercedes Benz 3/4 - Sired by Epic 3/8 - Sired by SAK Summit 1Y
HYBRID 3/8 - Sired by Style
SHUT EYE GCC MAKIN TIME SAD AUDI 41E 3/8 - Sired by No Worries 3/8 - Sired by Maternal Made 1/2 - Sired by Mercedes Benz
- www.SEKGENETICS.com - Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
BEEF EXPO MAINE-ANJOU SALE Iowa SALE DATE: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2020 Banquet, Meeting & Fundraiser BANQUET: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 6:30 P.M. - DIAMOND JACKS ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE IJMAA JUNIORS These Sell!
LOT 3
LOT 6 LOT 7
LOT 14
LOT 16
LOT 23
NO TH OR PHA CARRIERS WILL BE ALLOWED TO SELL. Offering Maine-Anjou, MaineTainer & Maine Angus Bulls & Females! SALE CONTACTS: Jim Opperman, 712-210-6013 Kenny Grimm, 712-830-1089
