REPRODUCTION REPORT

SETTING FEMALES UP FOR SUCCESS:

ESTRUS SYNCHRONIZATION by Carson Anderson, University of Missouri graduate research assistant

Estrus synchronization is a reproductive technology that that cows are near peak lactation and will have increased can add value to your program. Using this technology can nutritional requirements around the time of breeding. If you control and shorten the breeding and the subsequent calving are calving during a time of year in which you can’t meet her season, increase uniformity of the calf crop, and provide an nutritional requirements just off of the current forage base, effective way to use artificial insemination. How much value supplementation will be necessary for maximum fertility. you can generate from using estrus synchronization will vary Meeting nutritional requirements is even more critical for from operation to operation. Although, it can’t be emphasized younger cows that are still growing themselves while also enough: estrus synchronization will not make up for females nursing their calves. in poor body condition, poor management, or poor health. It takes time to resume normal estrous cycles, and Instead, think of estrus synchronization as an added boost cows are more likely to be cycling at the start of the rather than as a crutch or as a cover up for other management synchronization program when they have had more time after problems. calving. In general, we want to see cows averaging at least 45

Heifers and cows will require different management days postpartum by the time of breeding. If you are using strategies to be successful in an estrus synchronization CIDRs in your estrus synchronization program, cows should program. Let’s start with heifers. Bos indicus-influenced be at least 21 days after calving at the time of CIDR insertion. heifers should be developed to 65% of their mature cow Cows with shorter days postpartum are not as likely to breed weight at the time of breeding. This will help ensure that to artificial insemination compared with cows with increased a large percentage of heifers will become pubertal by the days postpartum, but it is usually still worth trying to get start of the breeding season. However, keep in mind that them jump-started with synchronization. developing to target weight isn’t going to guarantee heifers Herd health is an important factor that can strongly will be pubertal at the time of breeding. Consider having a influence a female’s ability to perform during breeding veterinarian perform an evaluation of the reproductive tract season. Heavy parasitization and other disease challenges four to six weeks prior to breeding to identify poor candidates can dramatically impact reproductive performance. Consult for estrus synchronization. with your veterinarian for the best health protocol for your

When managing cows for success in an estrus operation. In general, prebreeding booster vaccinations should synchronization program, we are mainly thinking about their be administered at least 30 days prior to breeding. body condition, plane of nutrition, and how long it has been Estrus synchronization is an investment that can increase since calving. Cows should be managed so that they are at a productivity in your herd and profitability in your business. body condition score of 5 or greater at the time of breeding However, in order to capture the value of what estrus and need to be gaining rather than losing weight. A positive synchronization can bring to your operation, it is important plane of nutrition is critical for getting cows to resume to set your females up for success. normal estrous cycles after calving. Remember, it is common

Each year, the IBBA awards three distinguished awards: Breeder of the Year, Pioneer of the Year, and Commercial Producer of the Year. Nominations for the 2020 year are being sought, with a deadline of

December 15. To nominate a fellow breeder, nominations should include name, award for nomination, and a brief summary of why the nominee should receive the award. Nominations can be sent to IBBA awards chairman, Shiloh Hall, at shiloh518@yahoo.com.

Awards seeking nominations: • BREEDER OF THE YEAR: The Breeder of the Year recipient is a current member of the IBBA deserving of recognition for his/her successes and advancements made utilizing and promoting Brangus purebred cattle. • PIONEER OF THE YEAR: The Pioneer Award recognizes an IBBA member, past or present, for his/her service, loyalty, and contributions to the Brangus Breed. • COMMERCIAL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: The Commercial Producer of the Year award highlights a commercial producers achievement incorporating Brangus genetics into their breeding program.

For more information, contact IBBA director of membership, Lori Edwards at ledwards@gobrangus.com, or IBBA awards chairman, Shiloh Hall at shiloh518@yahoo.com.

CHAR-NO FARMS 2017 PIONEER

OF THE YEAR

Char-No Farm, established in 1969, is located in the small community of

Hollonville, Georgia. The operation is owned I’m very excited about the Cattleman’s Congress in January. We all know how and operated by Chuck and Norma Sword, who tough the last year has been in the cattle industry and the world, but we know more have been breeding Brangus cattle since 1984. “Receiving the 2017 Pioneer of the Year Award was a tremendous and humbling experience,” says Sword. “To be recognized, and included, with the than anybody that the show never stops for us. I would like to encourage everyone to share their nominations with me for IBBA Breeder of the Year Award, Pioneer Award, and Commercial Producer. Let’s all come together in January and have a great event outstanding breeders pervious honored was indeed and show the industry we don’t stop working even when times are tough. a lifetime privilege. We encourage all members to Shiloh Hall, IBBA Awards Committee chairman consider nominating a breeder for this prestigious award.”

CHIMNEY ROCK CATTLE CO. 2017 BREEDER OF THE YEAR Chimney Rock Cattle Co. (CRC) was founded by Bill and Gail Davis in 1999 with a few commercial Brangus heifers. The Davises began retaining ownership and purchasing a few cattle from some of the most respected breeders in the association. In 2002, they came to the decision to enter the seedstock business, and again they made careful choices from the leading operations in the breed. Soon, they hosted their first production sale, and have just recently wrapped up their 13th Annual Production Sale. They strive to build a herd of functional, customer driven Brangus cattle designed to meet the demands of both registered and commercial cattlemen. “Being selected as the 2017 Breeder of the Year was a great honor, and greatly appreciated,” says Davis.

SCHMIDT FARMS 2018 BREEDER OF THE YEAR

Dr. Randy and Karen Schmidt, Schmidt Farms, of Texarkana, Texas purchased their first registered Brangus bull in 1995, and purchased their first registered female in 1999, which served as the gateway to a passion that has driven their operation for over 20 years. Understanding the growing pains faced by breeders entering the purebred business, in the early years Schmidt marketed bulls by private treaty. As growth allowed, they hosted a bull sale at the ranch in 2004, and did so for two years. As the program developed, the Schmidts had the opportunity to be a founding partner in the GENETRUST alliance and was an integral part in its decade of success. Most recently, the Schmidts joined four close friends in founding the next generation marketing alliance, GENEPLUS. “It is always an honor and humbling to be recognized by your peers for a job well done,” comments Schmidt.

VOREL FARMS 2016 BREEDER OF THE YEAR

Mike Vorel and wife, Robin, own and operate Vorel Farms in central Oklahoma, named the association’s 2016 Breeder of the Year. Vorel began raising commercial cattle, but soon transitioned into the seedstock business, retaining his commercial females as recipients. Through the utilization of DNA testing, parent verification, data collection, and extensive A.I., the Vorels have strived to make their Brangus and Ultrablack cattle predictable and consistent in their makeup, adding value to not only their own operation, but ultimately, their customers. The Vorels are blessed to live on a farm that’s been in the family for over 100 years, a place that has seen multiple species of agriculture production. With four children and 12 grandchildren, the Vorels hope the family ranching heritage will prosper. “It was a huge honor to be named 2016 Breeder of the Year and join such a prestigious group,” notes Vorel.

LACK-MORRISON BRANGUS 2012 BREEDER OF THE YEAR “I was both honored and humbled to receive 2012 Breeder of the Year Award,” says Bill Morrison. “It took a little lying to get me to go to Houston that year. My good friend, Larry Parker, told me that his grandson needed help fitting the heifer he was showing and nobody else could do it. So, I went. During the heifer show I saw several of my friends, mentors, and members of the Southwest Brangus Breeders Association. It didn’t dawn on me why they were there. Alex Dees, Gayland Townsend, Joe Paul Lack, and Larry Parker came all the way to Houston to surprise me at the awards banquet!” In the past 30 years, little has changed at Lack-Morrison Brangus, located in Hatch and Clovis, New Mexico, in regard to their ideal animal. They select Brangus cattle that are clean sheathed, heavy muscled, deep bodied, and attractive backed with performance. They market their bulls at the Roswell Brangus Sale, which takes place the last Saturday in February, this year will be their 30th year to consign. The Lack-Morrison crew is comprised of Bill and Virginia Morrison, Joe Paul and Rosie Lack, and Jake, Racheal, Colten, and Grace Carpenter.

FARRIS RANCHING CO. 2015 BREEDER OF THE YEAR Danny and Mary Beth Farris, of Tuscola, Texas, got their start in the Brangus business in 1984. At the time, Farris had began working for the Clark family as manager of Escoba Cattle Co. The Clark family eventually sold their cows, and in 1996, Farris Ranching Co. began on leased land, borrowed money, and a lot of hope and prayer. The Farris’ have had success through determination, resourcefulness, hard work, and by building a tremendous customer base of ranchers who depend on Farris bulls and females to be as honest as the folks who raised them. The Farris family can say their livelihood depends upon ranching and Brangus cattle. When the award was presented, Danny was serving on the IBBA Board of Directors, and on the committee that selected the Breeder of the Year. The committee collectively decided to give the award to the Farris’, and told Danny a different breeder had won the award. At the awards banquet a couple months after the award had been “decided”, the Farris family was in shock to find the committee had told a white lie and the award recipient was actually themselves. “To this day, I’m still just as honored as I was that day to be recognized with so many breed leaders,” reports Farris.