CROSSBREEDING EASY GELBVIEH & BALANCER ® MAKE

Crossbreeding That Counts

Gelbvieh and Balancer ®genetics deliver maternal superiority in planned crossbreeding systems. Highly productive cows with adaptability, versatility, and stayability can have a positive impact on your bottom line. GELBVIEH.ORG

This featured Jorgensen Motherlode donor is the topproduction female among four fantastic full sisters, recording a progeny weaning ratio of 115 and a progeny yearling ratio of 107 on her first three natural calves. Her son, Ideal 1925 Emulous of E1674, is the second top-seller of the 2022 Jorgensen Bull Sale to Charles Hancock of Wyoming. Her flush sister, Ideal 5123 of Res Marjorie, was selected by ZWT Ranch of Tennessee as the second top-selling cow of the 2022 Jorgensen Motherlode Female Sale where another full sister, Ideal 5118 of Res Marjorie, sold to Weiker Angus of Missouri. Still another full sister produced the Jorgensen Motherlode donor Ideal 7209 of 1168 Marjorie whose progeny dominated the 2023 Jorgensen 51st Annual Production Sale including Ideal Accolade 2558, the $100,000 record-selling lead-off bull. Maternal sisters include the Jorgensen Motherlode donor Ideal 7574 of 1281 Marjorie. The remarkable production history of twelve generations of this great family is portrayed in the classic example of Ideal 5143 of Res Marjorie whose generational maternal production ancestry for progeny weaning ratio and progeny yearling ratio read as follows: 115/107, 108/107, 121/109, 106/103, 110/102, 105/109, 104/106, 100/107, 107/108, 100/103, 102/103 and 103/104.

Selling:

• Jorgensen Bred Heifers

• Jorgensen Select ET Heifer Calves

Superior Cows From Generations of Maternal Production Data

Also consider geographical location—where you’d like to feed cattle relative to the packing plant and feeding resources. Consider logical freight distance for cattle delivery, but also feed basis and weather. Corn basis varies widely and becomes more attractive in the Corn Belt due to proximity to grain. Yet weather and season of the year can play a big part in cattle performance, so measure the two issues in tandem.

If you’re willing to feed cattle across the map, contact feedyards in different regions and build a list of pertinent things to know about each.

Peterson suggests knowing the feedyard’s history as a basis for questions.

“What’s his death loss over the last two or three years? What is the projection on how the cattle will feed? How does the feedyard manage their cattle? Do they feed once or twice or three times a day? What’s the weather like? Look at the health of the cattle,” Peterson says. “Those are the most important things.”

Overall, a cattle producer should compile a list of positives and negatives on cost, performance history, seasonality and packer access.

Use Your Resources

Maximizing the value of your calf crop takes focus and diligent work. Many resources are available to cattlemen and women, from professional consultation by nutritionists and veterinarians to marketing tools like the AngusLink GMS and CAB’s Targeting the Brand logo. Equally important is a strong network.

Begin with the end in mind, develop a plan for marketing calves and use your resources to maximize value.

Editor’s note: Lindsay Graber Runft is CAB director of producer communications. Paul Dykstra is CAB director of supply management and analysis.

Reprinted with permission from the 2023 Feeder-Calf Marketing Guide published by the Angus Beef Bulletin, available in its entirety online at https://bit.ly/23FCMG.