January 2021 Brangus Journal

Brangus JA N UA R Y 2 0 2 1

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January 2021

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CON TACTS 8870 U.S. Highway 87E, San Antonio, Texas 78263 • P.O. Box 809, Adkins, Texas 78101 210-696-8231 • Fax 210-696-8718 • info@gobrangus.com • gobrangus.com IBBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Chris Heptinstall 1st Vice President Allen Goode 2nd Vice President Vern Suhn Secretary/Treasurer Mike Weathers East Region Chris Heptinstall, Oneonta, Alabama cgstall@yahoo.com Jeremy Jackson, Gentry, Arkansas jjackson101@gmail.com Darrel Law, Lafayette, Tennessee cklaw@nctc.com Rob Singleton, Seville, Florida singletons2002@yahoo.com Texas Region Lee Alford, Caldwell, Texas alfordcattle@aol.com Mary Douglass, Seguin, Texas twoheartsbrangus@yahoo.com Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas allen@triocattle.com Mike Weathers, Columbus, Texas mikeweathers@msn.com West Region Troy Floyd, Roswell, New Mexico tfloyd@leaco.net Shiloh Hall, Okmulgee, Oklahoma shiloh518@yahoo.com Greg Romans, Vale, Oregon romansbrangus@yahoo.com Vern Suhn, Eureka, Kansas vern@geneplusbrangus.com

IBBA STAFF Executive Vice President Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D., dwilkes@gobrangus.com Controller Brian Sadvosky, bsadovsky@gobrangus.com Director of Registry Jessie England, jengland@gobrangus.com Director of Genomics and Research Macee Prause, mprause@gobrangus.com Director of Member Services & Marketing Lori Edwards, ledwards@gobrangus.com Product Manager Andrew Sicotte, Jr., asicotte@goregstr.com Office Manager and Registry Assistant Mandie Garza, mgarza@gobrangus.com BRANGUS PUBLICATIONS, INC. STAFF Advertising Sales, Melanie Fuller mfuller@gobrangus.com, 979-255-3343 Brangus Journal Publications, Inc. Editor Lighthouse & Co. Communications editor@gobrangus.com IJBBA DIRECTORS OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES Tyler and Jessica Dean tylerwdean@gmail.com, 405-867-1421 IBBA COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Awards Shiloh Hall, Okmulgee, Oklahoma Breed Improvement Mark Cowan, Detroit, Texas Commercial Marketing Finance Mike Weathers, Columbus, Texas International Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas Long Range Plan Tracy Holbert, College Station, Texas Membership Cheramie Viator, Tomball, Texas Promotion Joe Fuller, Willow City, Texas Show Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas MEMBER OF

@gobrangus | #gobrangus

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January 2021

INTERNATIONAL BRANGUS AUXILIARY BOARD President Brenda Brull, Atchison, Kansas 1st Vice President Tina Gardner, China Spring, Texas 2nd Vice President Ginger Pritchard, McLoud, Oklahoma Secretary Mary Beth Farris, Tuscola, Texas Treasurer Janet Greuel, Brooks, Georgia Historian Jodi Jackson, Waco, Texas INTERNATIONAL BRANGUS FOUNDATION BOARD President Bill Davis, Concord, Arkansas Vice President Brandon Belt, Gatesville, Texas Secretary/Treasurer Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D. Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas Chris Heptinstall, Oneonta, Alabama Tracy Holbert, College Station, Texas Steve Densmore, Bryan, Texas INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR BRANGUS BOARD 2020-2021 IJBBA Board of Directors President Jacob Jones, Stillwater, Oklahoma Ex-Officio Kendra Brull, Atchison, Kansas Queen Casey Harper, Haines City, Florida Director Samuel Belt, Gatesville, Texas Director Lauren Burton, Atlanta, Texas Director April Villarreal, Brookshire, Texas Director Payge Dupre, Kathleen, Florida Director Briana Hicks, Danbury, Texas Director Brook Langford, Lawton,

Oklahoma Director Cassidy Eramo, Brandon, Florida Director Jaxon Allen, Haworth, Oklahoma

Brangus JAN UAR Y 2 0 2 1

Cover photo by Marburger Media & Marketing Inside photos by Rebecca Cowan, Sara Green, Nancy Ward, and Jessica White

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Brangus JANUA RY 2 0 2 1 / VO LU M E 6 9 / I S S U E 1

FEATURED

22 RAISING THE BRANGUS OF TOMORROW The 2020 IBBA Top Embryo Transfer Breeder, Draggin’ M

Ranch focuses on and encourages others toward progressive breeding.

28 VITAMIN A NEEDS DURING DROUGHT TIMES

One of the biggest concerns about drought is the higher chance of vitamin A deficiency during calving season.

36 RECORD KEEPING TOOLS BENEFIT COW-CALF PRODUCERS

An article courtesy of the Noble Research Institute, encouraging purebred breeders to take a deeper look at keeping records.

40 LEGACY HEIFER ANNOUNCEMENT

The International Junior Brangus Breeders Association (IJBBA) announces their annual Legacy Heifer Program sponsored in 2021 by Farris Ranching Company.

50 CONVERSATION WITH A CATTLEWOMAN

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Get to know IBBA Board Director Mary Douglass of Seguin, Texas

January 2021

IN EVERY ISSUE 8 10 11 14 18 34 42

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE ASSOCIATION BRIEF IBBA FACTS IN A FLASH EXECUTIVE CORNER SALE SUMMARIES BULLISH ON BRANGUS CATTLEFAX TRENDS

52 THROWBACK JOURNAL 54 FRIENDS WE WILL MISS 54 SERVICE DIRECTORY 55 STATE DIRECTORY 60 CALENDAR 61 ADVERTISER’S INDEX

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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

THE COMEBACK

by Chris Heptinstall, International Brangus Breeders Association president

When I was officially elected as president at the International Brangus® Breeders Association (IBBA) Annual Meeting on March 5, 2020, I could have never imagined the ride it would be. At the time, I was actually not at the meeting in Houston, Texas. Instead, I was at home with my wife, Alexis, expecting our first child any day. Sure enough, five days after the annual meeting, our daughter, Vivian Rose, entered the world.

Two days after that, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (HLSR) became the first, of an endless number of shows, to cancel its remaining events due to a precaution from COVID-19.

As an association, there are major things that we didn’t get the opportunity to be a part of this year. Namely, the re-introduction of the Brangus Summit, originally scheduled for June 2020 had to be canceled. Two IBBA Standard of Excellence (SOE) Points Shows were canceled in the fall.

Upcoming events, such as the 2021 Annual Meeting at its traditional home in Houston is already canceled. And, unendingly, state Brangus and cattlemen’s associations saw havoc on their annual meetings, field days, sales, and gatherings.

But, let me tell you what else I saw: When one door closed, the Brangus breed came back stronger. When the Western National in Oklahoma City and the National Show of Merit in Shreveport canceled their shows, causing detriment to the SOE show season, the IBBA Show Committee and staff rallied. They gathered with other Bos indicus breeds and hosted replacement shows in Texarkana and Fort Worth. They took on extra work that they didn’t have to in order to give opportunity for our breeders to show off their livestock. Lori Edwards, IBBA director of membership and marketing, went above and beyond the call of duty to organize entries and coordinate shows that she wasn’t required to do. Allen Goode, IBBA Show Committee chairman, led a committee through what could have been troubled times. Allen’s strong leadership and level head will serve our association well in his upcoming presidency, and I am grateful to have such a strong leader to fill the position.

A lack of events to promote the breed could have set the association back. IBBA Promotion Committee chairman, Joe Fuller, answered the call. Joe led the committee to take on a new marketing strategy, to get creative and challenge the status quo. Simply settling and waiting until events opened back up was not an option for this progressive committee.

They’ve taken a new approach to marketing the breed 8

January 2021

which will be unveiled at our new IBBA Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City. I think you’re going to be impressed.

The IBBA Breed Improvement Committee, as led by chairman Mark Cowan, has also helped to re-evaluate the internal breed structure. They’ve asked questions and made recommendations that are on the forefront of genetic advancement. This smart-minded committee has used their time to better the cattle in your pasture, whether you know it or not.

Mike Weathers, chairman of the IBBA Finance Committee made big progress in the financial state and organization of the association. We hired on a new controller, Brian Sadovsky, who’s taken his duties seriously. Mike and Brian have tremendously improved the financial organization of our systems, they’re working behind-the-scenes making sure everything that needs to be done “front of house” can be done.

Our Regstr system has been a thorn in the association’s side for many months, it is no longer. The staff at the association has bailed the membership out of a rut. Darrell Wilkes, alongside project manager, Andrew Sicotte, and director of genetics, Macee Prause, have dedicated their time to incorporating DNA into the Regstr system. From this time last year, the online registration process has become a breeze, and we, as members, should be nothing but grateful for their continued push to better the member experience.

Of course, we can’t forget the work the IBBA Long Term Planning Committee, as chaired by Tracy Holbert, did that came to fruition with the publishing of the association long term plan this year. Their 10-year vision for the breed is groundbreaking. I’d encourage you, as members, to pick up the publication you received back in October and put time into implementing the bigger picture.

And, last but certainly not least, I need to thank all the members of the IBBA Board of Directors. Lee Alford, Mary Douglass, Troy Floyd, Allen Goode, Shiloh Hall, Jeremy Jackson, Darrel Law, Greg Romans, Rob Singleton, Vern Suhn, and Mike Weathers have volunteered, read again – volunteered – time, that they didn’t have to. They’ve sat through more Zoom meetings and conference calls than I think they ever imagined.

It’s been an honor. It’s been something I never thought I would get to experience, and this year has certainly humbled me in the events that have transpired. I’ll be seeing all of you soon at the new IBBA Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City in just a few weeks.

Don’t be afraid to go where the data takes you,

Christopher G. Heptinstall

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2nd Most Used Bull In 2020 More Than 20 Bulls Averaged $9,625 @ Blackwater Cattle Company 2020 Sale 8 Females Averaged Over $11,000 In The 2020 Mid South Annual Production Sale Monuments Dam 10A10 Recently Sold For $45,000 Monument Progeny At The CDP Sale Averaged Over $7,900

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ASSOCIATION BRIEF

ASSOCIATION BRIEF

OKLAHOMA BRANGUS BREEDERS SPRING SALE The Oklahoma Brangus Association (OBA) Spring Sale is moving back to Ada, Oklahoma! The sale will be held March 20, 2021 at the Southern Oklahoma Livestock Auction. The OBA will be offering Brangus and Ultrablack bulls and females. Most consignments will have weights and ultrasound information, plus DNA and parent verification recorded with IBBA. Brangus-influenced commercial female consignments of high quality are always welcomed. The OBA always welcomes progressive new members to join and be a part of our progressive group. OBA hosts a spring and fall sale each year and supports the junior Brangus programs. For sale information and/or membership information contact Mike Vorel at vorelfarms@gmail.com or 405-826-6959. Further information can be found on our website www.okbrangus.org.

TEXAS BRANGUS BREEDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS

Mark your calendars for the Texas Brangus Breeders Association (TBBA) annual convention. It is set for April 2-3, 2021, at Tenroc Ranch in Salado, Texas. The TBBA annual meeting will be on Friday afternoon, followed by a complimentary and excellent meal, entertainment and fellowship with other Brangus breeders.

The TBBA Spring Spectacular Sale will be at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 3rd.

Nominations are open now for the sale, contact Joe Fuller, sale chairman at 979-255-7747 or American Marketing Service at www.amscattle.com for more information on nominating cattle to the sale.

2021 memberships are due. Please go to txbrangus.org to find a membership application.

TBBA provides a great advertising opportunity. We offer advertising space on our webpage to promote your ranch.

A banner ad is $500 per year and a ranch card ad is $100.

Get your ranch name out in front of many potential cattle customers through this economical advertising method. Email frances@txbrangus.org for membership information or for advertising opportunities.

A huge thank you to all that helped make the TBBA Best of Brangus Semen Auction a success. We appreciate Matt Willey spearheading this sale and Hi Point Sales + Marketing for managing the online auction.

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January 2021

SOUTHEAST BRANGUS BREEDERS ASSOCIATION YEAR IN REVIEW The Southeast Brangus Breeders Association (SBBA) hopes that you have a prosperous, healthy and blessed New Year in 2021. The SBBA, like everyone, faced many challenges in 2020 but we stayed the course and just kept on keeping on getting things done a little at a time and just doing what we do.

The SBBA started off the year 2020 with our annual board of directors and general membership meeting and from there, the year took off. The SBBA’s membership grew, by 115% over the course of the year!

The SBBA Field Day hosted by Phillips Ranch, LLC in Bunnell, Florida in August was a great success. The Phillips family were wonderful hosts and Rob Singleton, International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) Board of Director, did a fantastic job putting the event together. The event attendees were given an update about the direction of the IBBA by Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D., IBBA executive vice president with his “State of the Brangus Union” address. Raluca Mateescu, Ph.D., from the University of Florida, gave insight on her Bos indicus research, Vytelle did a live FSH-free oocyte aspiration, Clint McWaters and Ashby Green, Sr., Ph.D. of Neogen recapped old and new genomic technologies and Tom Jones from Hy-Plains Feedyard spoke about the value Brangus sired calves are starting to have in the marketplace.

The SBBA juniors followed the SBBA Field Day with a very solid turnout for the Southeast Regional Junior Brangus Show (SRJBS) in Live Oak, Florida in September led by Tom and Vicki Hayford, and William and Sarah Carte from the SBBA’s SRJBS Show Committee. We had our annual fun auction, banquet, awards ceremony and general membership meeting, where we honored Shane and Stacie Cooper from Lake Majestik Farms with the 2020 SBBA Achievement Award. Inductions into the SBBA Hall of Fame, included the late Joe Reznicek and Joy Reznicek Sundbeck of Cow Creek Ranch, Aliceville, Alabama and the SBBA also dedicated the 2020 Southeast Brangus Breeders Association Showcase Sale in their honor.

The SBBA’s sale manager, Doug Williams from L&W Cattle Company alongside the SBBA’s sale chairman, Jeff Thomas from JRT Brangus and Lea Stokes from the Horseshoe Group, put together the SBBA’s 2020 Showcase Female sale. Twenty-eight consigners came together from eight different states, along with auctioneer Lakin Oakley, and ring men, Jimmy Fetner, Paul Wall and Stephen Mathis to sell 54 lots of 3-in-1’s, bred cows, bred heifers, donors, flush lots, open heifers, pairs and a couple of herd sires averaging $3,962.04.

In December, we hosted The Heart of Alabama Brangus Bull Sale, the Southeast’s oldest Brangus bull sale. The event

ASSOCIATION BRIEF

was put on by the same crew, 12 consignors, hailing from seven states put together 60 two-year-old and yearling bulls to average $3,377. The Heart of Alabama Brangus Bull Sale was dedicated to the late David Vaughn, who passed away at age 85 in June. Vaughan served as president of both the SBBA and the IBBA, in addition to being awarded the SBBA Award of Excellence in 2006, IBBA Breeder of the Year in 2005 and IBBA Pioneer of the Year Award in 2013.

So, what is next? Just more of the same. A little at a time, just keep on keeping on doing what we do. We hope to see you at one of our upcoming events.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO JUNIOR MEMBERS The International Brangus Auxiliary (IBA) has been awarding scholarships to deserving junior Brangus members for more than 40 years. The deadline to turn in your application is April 15, 2021. Watch for more details in the upcoming Brangus Journals for information on applying.

TEXAS JUNIOR BRANGUS BREEDERS ANNOUNCE STATE SHOW The Texas Junior Brangus Breeders Association (TJBBA) announced their Texas Junior Brangus State Show date as June 23-26, 2021 in Bryan, Texas. New for this year is that all entries must be parent verified through the IBBA. INTERNATIONAL BRANGUS OFFICIAL SHOW FACEBOOK PAGE The IBBA has created a Facebook page designated to keep members attending shows up to date with the most current show information. The page can be found at “International Brangus Breeders Association Standard of Excellence Shows.”

During the pandemic time of shows, locations and dates changing, the IBBA encourages members to follow the Facebook page for the most accurate and time sensitive information including on-site show updates.

IBBA FACTS in a flash in the past 30 days

20 New Senior Members 3 New Junior Members

2 New Associate Members 1,232 New Female Registrations 906 New Bull Registrations 796 New DNA Submissions

GET TO KNOW THE IJBBA BOARD

APRIL VILLARREAL 2020-2021 IJBBA Source of Champions Sale Chairman

Where are you from?

Katy, Texas How old are you?

19 years old Where are you going to school?

Texas A&M Are you involved in any extracurricular clubs/activities outside showing cattle?

Outside of showing cattle, I spend my time riding my horse for either pleasure or training for a barrel race, but in the end they both come hand in hand. I also spend my time working for our family business, Villa Ranch.

What is your major?

I am double majoring in Finance and Animal Science.

What field do you hope to attain a career in?

I hope to become an embryologist and a financial advisor.

Why do you have an interest in your future career choice?

Ever since I can remember I have always been interested in both math and science. When I became involved with cattle, I saw a huge world in the vet sciences and embryology seems like my best field to be in. On the other hand, becoming a financial advisor will follow in my dad’s footsteps in business. Being a financial advisor can help me personally in having my own business in embryology and also help our family business, Villa Ranch.

How have the NJBS educational contests {public speaking, livestock judging, showmanship, etc.} helped you become the person you are today?

Although I haven’t been participating in the NJBS for long, each individual contest has taught me to be smart, confident, and humble, which are valuable traits as a young person growing up.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while showing cattle?

The most valuable lesson I have learned has been to always be confident in yourself and in what you bring to the show ring. No matter if you’re new or a practiced showman, always try your best and be confident. But while winning is everyone’s goal, it is very important to stay humble which speaks highly of a person. Anyone can win, but not everyone can stay humble and present themselves in a respectful manner.

What advice do you have for younger members?

My advice to younger members is to always try your best and enjoy working hard. Always have your head up, be confident, and learn from your mistakes to make you not only a better showman, but a better person.

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EXECUTIVE CORNER

DO YOU DNA?

by Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D., International Brangus Breeders Association executive vice president I never thought I would use the abbreviation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as a verb, but in a strange way it has become one. The number of members who submit DNA samples on their cattle continues to grow. We receive calls every day from members who are sampling and submitting DNA samples for the first time, which often begins with the question, “How do I DNA these cattle?” Recently, the Texas Junior Brangus Breeders Association (TJBBA) decided to require parent verification on the cattle entered in their sanctioned shows. Their motive is not to catch somebody cheating on their pedigrees but, instead, to introduce junior breeders to a technology that is here to stay in seedstock production. I applaud their decision. As these juniors become senior members and breeders of Brangus cattle, DNA testing will be as routine as branding and vaccinating.

The IBBA requires parent verification on all open show entries in IBBA point shows, and parent verification is required on all AI sires and donor dams. These rules are not in place to make life more difficult. They exist to protect the integrity of the breed and increase the value of Brangus genetics.

There is an inconvenient truth about pedigreed livestock, regardless of breed and regardless of specie, and that is: Pedigree errors have been occurring since the first herdbooks were established hundreds of years ago and have continued ever since. In college, I was told that 10-15% of all pedigreed animals have at least one error in their three-generation pedigree. Of course, this was somebody’s estimate because we really had no way of knowing for sure. Subsequently, when I was teaching college students about genetics, I told them the same thing. I am now convinced that the probability of at least one pedigree error in a randomly selected, three-generation pedigree is well over 50%. This is an average. I believe there are herds where the error rate is virtually zero, and herds where the error rate is closer to 100%. That sounds extreme. What I mean to say is that, of the 14 ancestors listed in a three-generation pedigree,

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January 2021

at least one of them is incorrect and I’m even more confident that one of the 30 ancestors in a four-generation pedigree is incorrect.

This opinion is based on the DNA test files that we process every day in the office. We receive files where the sire and dam match the progeny on every single animal. We receive other files where the progeny match the recorded parents less than 50% of the time. Without the benefit of DNA testing, these errors would remain, and they would obviously accumulate and perpetuate.

So, if parentage errors have existed since the beginning of recorded herdbooks, but we have still made phenomenal genetic improvement of cattle, what’s the big deal? There are at least two significant downside effects to parentage errors. The first is the impact it has on genetic evaluation (calculation of EPDs). When a calf is listed with the wrong sire, for instance, and the breeder turns in birth weight, weaning weight, and yearling weight data, there are four animals whose genetic evaluation is compromised: the animal itself, the actual sire, the erroneous sire and, finally, the dam. The EPDs of the calf will be wrong, the erroneous sire will get the credit (or blame) for the calf ’s performance, the actual sire will not get credit (or blame) for the calf ’s performance, and the evaluation of the dam’s genetic contribution will obviously be compromised.

The second downside of pedigree errors is the potential for unknowingly perpetuating a deleterious genetic condition into future generations. It is obvious that this has happened in virtually every population and will continue to happen. Parent verification can reduce this risk significantly.

Parentage errors that allow genetic defects to “sneak” into a population can cost breeders untold losses. There are many horror stories to go around. Without naming names, there was a very popular Angus bull in the 90s that ended up being a carrier of two serious genetic defects. It was discovered after he had sired thousands of progeny, including a number of sons

EXECUTIVE CORNER that also sired thousands of progeny. One of the mutations was traced back to ancestors but the other could not be. Therefore, it was concluded, it must have been a spontaneous mutation.

The odds of that are equal to the odds of firing your 30-30 rifle into the parking lot and having the ricochet bullet hit a loose lug nut on your truck and tightening it. A more likely explanation is that the animal had a pedigree error that allowed the mutation to “sneak” into the lineage. It could have been three or four generations back, but it is the only plausible explanation. I am not accusing anybody of a misdeed. Somebody just made a mistake. It happens – it always has, and it always will.

Avoiding parentage errors and guarding against genetic defect propagation are only two of the benefits of DNA testing. The third, of course, is genomic enhancement of EPDs. Nobody can argue against having more accurate EPDs. In the “old days”, significant improvements in EPD accuracy were accomplished only by recording progeny data and adding that data to the evaluation of the parent(s). Over time, with the addition of more progeny, the EPD accuracy creeps higher. Now, with a DNA test that costs as little as $30, you can enhance EPD accuracy to a higher level before an animal produces its first progeny.

It has been amazing to watch the uptake of this technology in the seedstock industry. It is fascinating that the uptake seems to be following the famous “S Curve” which describes the pattern of adoption of virtually every major innovation – from cell phones, to Bitcoin, to genetic test-ing. The math is complex, but the concept is simple. At the risk of over-simplifying it, the theory holds that if it takes 10 years for 10% of the people to adopt a useful new technology, it only takes another 10 years for the adoption rate to reach 90%. With regard to genetic testing of seedstock cattle using DNA we have entered the steep part of the S Curve and there is no turning back. This supports an earlier statement in this essay that people who are now junior Brangus breeders will view DNA testing as routine as vaccination and branding by the time they are senior members of IBBA. If you are a breeder who takes advantage of DNA testing, you have probably been frustrated that IBBA has not been able to efficiently and timely handle your test results since the launch of Regstr. Handling DNA data was part of Regstr that was completely unbuilt when it was launched. The data from the Portal system had not been migrated to the new database, and none of the programming to handle the data had been done. I believe that problem is now behind us. We have finally turned the corner. Your cattle that have been parent verified or sire verified will now show the PV or SV designation next to their name on their profile page and their registration certificate. If they have been tested for a genetic condition, that information

is also displayed. We have some problematic enrolled animal pedigrees that present a challenge to the genetic propagation routine (i.e. the accurate assignment of potential carrier or “PC” status), but the solution to that problem is in hand and will soon be resolved.

Moving forward, any animal whose recorded parentage is disqualified based on DNA tests will receive a “DNA” prefix and will not display EPDs until the parentage is resolved. This will make it easy for you and for the staff to know which animals are still pending parentage resolution.

Your association is your partner in genetic improvement. The IBBA staff is anxious to help any member who is just getting started with DNA testing and needs some coaching. On this note, it would be totally unfair not to mention, by name, some staff members who have endured the pain of handling DNA test results without the software in place to handle it efficiently. Macee Prause has worked more overtime hours than she would want to admit trying to keep up with DNA orders and results. Andrew Sicotte, program manager for Regstr, bailed into this challenge not realizing how deep the hole was.

He and Macee teamed up and have created a functional system that will serve the needs of Brangus breeders at the level that you deserve.

YOUR ASSOCIATION IS YOUR PARTNER IN GENETIC IMPROVEMENT.

Due to the cancellation of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo (HLSR), The International has been formed as a multi breed open show that will include breed sales, to be held March 23-27, 2020. It will serve as a Standard of Excellence national point show in place of HLSR. 15

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January 2021

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SALE SUMMARIES

SALESummaries CAVENDER DRAGGIN’ M AND PARTNERS AT CAVENDER’S NECHES RIVER RANCH COMMERCIAL FEMALES NOVEMBER 20, 2020 | JACKSONVILLE, TEXAS Gross Average Lots 26 Bred Brangus Cows $57,950 $2,228.85 86 Bred Black F1 Heifers $160,600 $1,867.44 261 Bred Brangus Heifers $484,075 $1,854.69 $1,884.66 44 Bred Brangus Baldy Heifers $82,925 391 Total Bred Heifers $727,600 $1,860.87 56 Open Brangus Heifers $92,900 $1,658.93 25 Angus x Brahman Pairs $68,800 $2,752.00 19 Brangus Pairs $44,350 $2,334.21 5 Brangus Baldy Pairs $10,750 $2,150.00 22 Tiger Stripe Pairs $53,150 $2,415.91 71 Total Pairs $177,050 $2,493.66 544 Total Commercial Females $1,055,500 $1,940.26 The 16th Annual Fall Production Sale at Cavender’s Neches River Ranch started off with the highly anticipated commercial female sale. A large crowd was on hand as the sale led-off with strong demand on the pairs and elite first calf F1 Brangus pairs carrying calves at side by Cavender Ultrablack bulls. Boggy Springs fetched a large group of pairs for $2,800, while another volume buyer, Broken C Ranch, bought several groups at $2,750. The demand continued as Tom Cann and repeat customer, Garrett Brangus, both bought a truckload of Cavender bred Brangus for $1,872 and $1,900, respectively.

The day’s volume buyer, and long-term customer, Threlkeld Farms, got into the action buying most of the open Brangus heifers from Draggin’ M and Cavender Brangus for a $1,650 average then finished up buying most of the Sewell Brangus bred females and black F1 Brangus bred from J&S Cattle to earn recognition as the volume buyer. The sale finished solid and was a testament of the demand on top quality CDP ranch-raised reputation Brangus genetics!

goers were treated to first class hospitality, hosted by Joe and Nancy Cavender, at the newly-expanded and renovated Neches River sale and event facility. The event kicked off in front of a packed house and enthusiastic buying crowd with an incomparable offering of proven donors, future breed leaders, and open heifers. The inaugural registered female event proved to be a breed highlight event of the year with outstanding turnout and elite females from start to finish averaging $8,328. Of the 67 lots, 20 head commanded $8,000 or more.

Feature lots of open heifers included lot 7, DMR Business Line 60H4 out of the great MS Basin Lucy 0060 donor dam. With one of the most impressive spreads from birth to yearling in the entire offering, the tremendous female commanded $38,000 going to Peanut Carr of Columbia, Louisiana. Other open heifer features of note included lot 23 MS DMR Cash Flow 166H purchased by Phillips Ranch and Herndon Farms and lot 55 Wat Empire 541G2 of Johnston Farms, which sold to Jimmy Trice, TTT Farms for an impressive $25,000.

Dam of the now deceased $80,000 DMR Crossroads 7957, MS DMR Coronado 795C5, was sold as a proven donor dam for $25,000 to Elias Brangus and is sure to add impressive progeny to their program. Other features topping the offering included MS DMR Empire 392G18, boasting seven traits in the top 35% of the breed, sold as a bred heifer to Milton Villarreal for $20,000 and the open heifer cataloged as lot 22, MS DMR Monument 166G11, with six traits in the top 15% of the breed featuring great outcross genetics sold to Jimmy Trice, TTT Farms. CDP would like to recognize Lynn Gravley of Frisco, Texas as the high-volume buyer at the registered female sale purchasing 11 lots.

CAVENDER DRAGGIN’ M AND PARTNERS AT CAVENDER’S NECHES RIVER RANCH BULLS CAVENDER DRAGGIN’ M AND PARTNERS AT CAVENDER’S NECHES NOVEMBER 20, 2020 | JACKSONVILLE, TEXAS Gross Average Lots RIVER RANCH REGISTERED FEMALES 120 Coming 2 Year Old $852,500 $7,104.17 NOVEMBER 20, 2020 | JACKSONVILLE, TEXAS Brangus Bulls Gross Average Lots $91,250 $4,345.24 10 Brangus 3-N-1’s $101,000 $10,100.00 21 Coming 2 Year Old Charolais Bulls 9 Brangus Bred Heifers $86,750 $9,638.89 $594,500 $5,886.14 2 Brangus Donors $35,000 $17,500.00 101 Yearling Bulls 242 Total Bulls $1,538,250 $6,356.40 43 Brangus Open Heifers $323,250 $7,517.44

Cattlemen from 15 states gathered for day two of the 3 Brangus Pairs $12,000 $4,000.00 16th Annual Fall Production Sale at Cavender’s Neches River 67 Total Registered Females $558,000 $8,328.36 Ranch for the incredible bull selection. On top of the It was a beautiful fall weekend for the 16th Annual Fall (continued on page 20) Production Sale at Cavender’s Neches River Ranch. Sale 18

January 2021

19

SALE SUMMARIES Ideal fall weather and days of sunshine greeted a crowd of buyers and onlookers alike at the recent Salacoa Valley Production sale. One-hundred and fourteen buyers from 11 states appreciated the high-quality offering throughout the two-day event as reflected in the rapid fire and competitive bidding in both the female and bull sales.

In Friday evening’s female sale, Quail Valley Farm, Oneonta, Alabama purchased the top seller when they paid $26,000 to own lot 21, MS Salacoa Stonewall 209B6. This powerful donor records three @114 WR and averages 10 embryos per flush.

The second-high selling female was lot 44, TBF Miss Jethro 803B and her outstanding heifer at side lot 44A, MS Salacoa Big Town 803H16. Cuevas T3 Brangus, Purvis, Mississippi and Vanna Farms, Royston, Georgia teamed up to pay $11,000 for the dam. Quail Valley Farms and Harris Riverbend Farms teamed up to pay $10,000 for the Big Town heifer at side.

At $10,750, the third high seller was lot 24, MS Salacoa Stonewall 289A3 and lot 24A, MS Salacoa Big Town 289H3. Stover Ranch, Dallas, Georgia paid $7,500 for the outstanding heifer calf at side and TCC Farms, Adairsville, Georgia paid $3,250 to own the super productive 289A3 cow.

Tanner Farms, Shuqualak, Mississippi paid $10,500 to own the evenings next high selling female, lot 52, MS Salacoa Patton 23A75. This powerful donor boasted big EPDs and a good Big Town heifer calf at side.

Also selling for $10,500 was lot 85, MS Salacoa Atlanta 535B25. Stover Ranch won the bid on this donor who is one of the first Atlanta daughters in production. She has a good Broadway bull calf at side.

The Saturday morning bull sale started with a bang when Quail Valley Farms paid $90,000 to own full possession and one-half semen interest in lot 151, Perfect Fit of Salacoa 468G57. This powerful son of Cross Fit is out of the great 468P22 donor.

Herndon Farms, Lyons, Georgia purchased the days second high seller when they paid $35,000 to own lot 266, Salacoa Cross Fit 468G55. He is a full brother to the high selling bull, Perfect Fit. Herndon Farms also purchased the third high seller when they bought lot 311, Salacoa Never Surrender 209G56. This big carcass and big growth herd sire prospect is out of a Sitz SALACOA VALLEY FARMS SALES Top Product donor, 209C5.

NOVEMBER 20-21, 2020 | FAIRMOUNT, GEORGIA Briggs Ranch, Victoria, Texas paid $9,000 for lot 274, Gross Average Lots GHB Never Surrender 392G1. This light birth, moderate, 54 Fall Pairs/Bred Cows $239,250 $4,431 and wide bodied Never Surrender son boasts 10 EPD traits 45 Spring Bred and 3-N-1 Cows $175,550 $3,906 ranking in the breed’s top 30% or greater. He was consigned 1 Semen Lot $8,125 $8,125

by Gulf Haven Brangus, Purvis, Mississippi.

100 Cow Sale Lots $423,125 $4,231 Anthony Unruh, Magee, Mississippi paid $9,000 to 93 coming two-year-old Brangus, $455,600 $4,899 purchase one-half semen interest and full possession of lot Ultrablack, Santa Gertrudis, and Super American Bulls 152, T3 Playmaker 30G7. This powerful Hollywood son 65 Yearling Brangus, Ultrablack, $394,750 $6,073 is out of the 30D donor and was consigned by Cuevas T3 Santa Gertrudis, and Super American Bulls Brangus.

158 Total Bulls $850,350 $5,382 (continued from page 18)

expanded offering, there was excitement towards the new pens that were built to better merchandise the larger offering of bulls at CDP. The shopper-friendly pens were filled with uniformity, as there were large sire groups, many brothers and half-brothers. An enthusiastic, record-setting crowd filled the recently renovated sales facility. The sale began with a packed house and buyers competed from end to end, leading to one of, if not the, top bull sales in the country and a breed leading event. When the dust settled, premium Brangus and Ultrablack genetics, that are sure to help drive success for many operations, were spread across 15 states, coast-to-coast.

Topping the list of high-sellers was a standout Empire son cataloged as lot 104, DMR Empire 415G35, an impressive calving-ease, maternal bull from top to bottom. With proven, successful genetics on his dam’s side as well, he’s sure to leave his legacy in the Brangus breed. He sold to Las Palomas Ranch (2/3) and Gold Creek Brangus (1/3) for $56,000.

Other standout calving-ease Empire sons sold included lot 228, DMR Empire 535G45, purchased by Salacoa Valley Farms for $48,000 and lot 225, DMR Empire 30G36, sold to Jeff Thomas. As a maternal brother to the now deceased $80,000 Crossroads bull, lot 230, DMR Capitalist 795G26, has a striking phenotype coupled with impressive carcass quality. This Capitalist son was an easy choice for buyers on sale day and ultimately sold to Quail Valley for $20,000.

Lot 236, WAT Empire 302G44 sold to Hayman 711 who also purchased lot 115, DMR Three D 30G87 for $17,000 and lot 229, CB Trail Boss 607G7, one of the heaviest muscled bulls in the offering with an impressive seven traits in the top 10% of the breed, purchased for $14,500.

Other bulls of note included lot 232, CB Capital Gain 2051G11 sold to Draggin’ M Ranch for $16,000 and lot 111, CB Capital Gain 60G23 sold to Jimmy Trice, TTT Farms for $14,500.

CDP Brangus is grateful to all our friends and customers who came out to support, making this sale a great success.

Mark your calendars for Friday, March 12, 2021 to once again join us for an outstanding offering of bulls at Cavender’s Neches River Ranch. For more information regarding the CDP program including semen sales and catalog requests, please visit CDPBrangus.com.

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January 2021

Skyhawks Presidente ~ Progeny Sells!

Mr JLS Prime 915Z61 ~ Progeny Sells!

Mr JLS Tequila 915B29 ~ Progeny Sells!

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FEATURE ARTICLE

RAISING THE BRANGUS OF

Tomorrow

The 2020 IBBA Top Embryo Transfer Breeder, Draggin’ M Ranch focuses on and encourages others towards progressive breeding.

by Emily Lochner 22

January 2021

FEATURE ARTICLE “The best way to predict your future is to create it,” was once advised by Abraham Lincoln. Draggin’ M Ranch (DMR), owned by John Milam and managed by Grady Green, leave no decisions to chance about their future in the Brangus business.

Recently published as the 2020 IBBA Top Embryo Transfer (ET) Breeder, the crew at Draggin’ M utilizes a common, but not widely utilized, cattle industry technology to breed success. | THE BACKGROUND | Born in El Dorado, Arkansas and raised primarily in Montana, Milam has been around the cattle industry his entire life. Growing up, he worked as a cowboy wrangling horses and working cows and spent many summers at his uncle’s ranch backgrounding steers in the Texas panhandle. He attended Colorado State University with the intent to become a veterinarian, but pivoted plans, graduating with a degree in civil engineering. Years later he moved back to Arkansas and began purchasing land and building a construction company.

“John is truly a self-made man,” says Green. “He got his start in the construction business by investing in a couple pieces of equipment at a young age and doing dirt work himself. Over time, his business grew. He continued to make equipment purchases and hire onto his team. Today, he’s got hundreds of employees and manages a general contracting and construction company.”

Milam began the Draggin’ M operation in the late 1990s as a commercial herd of crossbred cattle.

At the time, he was traveling to Camp Cooley to purchase registered bulls and it wasn’t soon after that Milam began purchasing registered Brangus females to begin his new cow base.

Of course, ranch manager Grady Green is no stranger to the cattle business, either. The son of longtime Brangus operator, Craig Green, raising Brangus cows is in his blood.

Grady was born in Eureka, Kansas, where Craig was working for Brinks Brangus. Throughout his school years, they moved to Brenham, Texas, to become part of the Windy Acres program and later to Rose Bud, Arkansas, working for Caldwell Farms. Eventually the Greens landed at the iconic Camp Cooley Ranch operation in Franklin, Texas. While in high school, Grady would take care of the bull test herd at Camp Cooley and got his start in embryo transfer with the donor cow logistics on site. He attended Tarleton State University and later graduated

top of his class in 2009 from the prestigious Texas Christian University (TCU) Ranch Management Program.

“I began working for John right out of college,” recalls Green. “I graduated on a Saturday afternoon, packed my bags, moved to Arkansas, and started work at Draggin’ M Ranch on Monday morning.” | THE REGISTERED REVITALIZATION | Milam had begun to purchase registered females from Camp Cooley in 2005. But originally, the plan was just to buy cows to build numbers. When Green came aboard DMR, they realized they weren’t going to get ahead in the business by simply buying cows.

“We needed special cows, namely donor cow quality, to take the best genetics and begin to replicate as fast as we could,” says Green. “John always had the commercial herd alongside the registered herd, so it was a natural fit to use our commercial cows as recips in an ET flush situation.”

“The majority of the cows we have been successful with trace back to the original Brinks herd. But we’ve not been picky about where the good cows come from. We have standout females from Camp Cooley, Blackwater, Mound Creek, Schmidt Farms, Salacoa Valley, Cavenders, Suhns, and many others. Our philosophy is, if there’s a cow that is selling in the top 5-10% of the breed, we go after her and hope we can afford her,” Green states.

The DMR crew seeks out a balanced approach: a healthy blend between genotype and phenotype in their herd. They are not single trait selecting on data columns, they’re looking for a balanced set of EPDs that maintain calving ease and carcass quality, in an attractive package.

“Different segments of breeders chase different things.

Some people stay aligned with EPDs, some are strictly phenotype-driven, we hope to be somewhere in the middle.

No matter what their numbers say, if they’re phenotypically displeasing, they’re hard to market. But the same can be said on the flipside, a good looking one has to be backed with good numbers. Period.”

The future of the DMR operation can be summarized modestly: continue to improve every day.

“We’re after consistency and quality. Not just in our herd bulls, but in females that will last a long time,” declares Green.

“Our females should be moderate framed, fertile, easy keeping, quiet, good footed, clean uddered, and should breed back every year. That’s what we’re trying to do - and make as many of those as possible. Making strides to improve carcass quality through genetics is important to our commercial bull customers, and we want to do it without sacrificing stayability.” | THE TRADITIONAL CUSTOMER | “One thing we pride ourselves on is that we try and take care of our relationships with other breeders,” Green mentions.

“We want other’s feedback on the cattle that we sell, and we want to provide our customers with a long-lasting relationship.”

“Some of our most important customers, on the registered female side, are smaller breeders who we have made a conscious (continued on page 24)

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FEATURE ARTICLE (continued from page 23)

effort to build a relationship with. We buy cattle back from them, offer our expertise, and help move their programs forward, just as equally as they’re helping us build ours. On the commercial customer side, we sell registered bulls all across the country. The commercial breeders put a lot of emphasis on fertility of their replacements, and carcass value of their steers, so Brangus is a logical option.” | THE EMBRYO TRANSFER VALUE ADD | It’s no secret with any kind of genetic advancement comes an advanced input cost. But, for Draggin’ M, there’s so much more of a story to tell that helps sell the value-added aspect.

“In years past, I’d say we average $1,200 to $1,500 more per head on an ET calf compared to a natural service calf.

It’s just obvious when you compare the natural service and ET calves side-by-side. In a set of full sib flushes, the consistency of both the bulls and the genetics is just so much higher.

For our proven donors, who’ve done more and raised more, there’s simply more of a story to tell on a cow who’s raised 100 calves versus four or five. When we can tell our customers that out of 40 replacement sisters, we still have 38 in our herd five years later, they appreciate the proven cow families of the bulls.”

“One of my favorite ET stories is of the Red Bird Meadows raised 924W5 cow we purchased from Southern Cattle Company,” says Green. “At the time, we paid $15,000 for her and flushed her to 3D. For her first flush alone, we sold over $200,000 in progeny, not to mention all the flushes after her first year. And, that’s namely on bulls and a select number of females, we ended up keeping most of the females from her first flush that are still in our herd today.”

It’s almost a guaranteed fact that donor cows, or donor prospects, will bring a higher bid at the auction block. But, for Milam and Green, a higher potential return on investment will allow for a higher budget.

“The most obvious reason for ET is to take your frontend cows and replicate her genetics faster than the average.

Typically, a cow has one calf per year; at best she’s having 12 calves in her lifetime. Through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and ET, she can have 30 to 40 calves per year. That’s an obvious benefit in calf income. A breeder who thinks through it can rationale to spend a little more on the budget for a good cow

because you can be guaranteed more progeny in general.” | THE DAILY DETAILS | There are a few selection options in the reproduction realm. For DMR, they do a combination of AI, ET, and IVF. All their conventional ET work is done in-house. Green does all the shot protocols and AI himself. They work with Drs. Dan Miller and Todd Whitesell at M&W Cattle Services to flush and transfer their embryos, as they’ve done for over a decade.

The DMR operation finds their balance in flushing the donors three times, once every 60 days, then breeding them back and letting them raise a natural calf.

“On our older, more proven cows, in order to get more production, we utilize the IVF technology through Trans Ova. With IVF, you can flush a cow every two weeks up to 120 days of gestation. So typically, we’ll breed them here, send them down to Bryan, Texas and have them flush the cows a few more times. We implant those fresh IVF embryos into our recipient herd or have Trans Ova put them in for us and then, we’ll purchase the pregnant recip back from Trans Ova.”

A common knock against AI or ET work is the extra amount of time needed to devote to the process. For DMR, the extra value far outweighs the additional time commitment.

“When we sync our cows for timed AI, we’ll run them through the chute a total of three times. The first time to implant a CIDR, the second to pull the CIDR, and third to breed,” states Green.

“At that point, you have the opportunity to breed your cows to any of the top AI sires in the country, for around $2040 each. Plus, you can predict that you’ll have most of your AI-sired calves born in a 10-day time span. The genetic trend you are building, far surpasses the time investment. The added genetic value on your calf crop will leave a lasting impact on your program.” | THE BRANGUS BREED OF TOMORROW | There’s excitement around the future of the Draggin’ M program. But, it’s not just with microscopic embryos causing astronomical success. The people surrounding the program have just as much to do with the future plans as any.

Green stresses, “The daily management of these cattle has to be a priority, and we are lucky to have a group of invested, hardworking, and knowledgeable people that make this operation run. From pasture management, to facility maintenance and

The future of the DMR operation can be summarized modestly: continue to improve every day.

24

January 2021

WHEN WE CAN TELL OUR CUSTOMERS THAT OUT OF 40 REPLACEMENT SISTERS, WE STILL HAVE 38 IN OUR HERD FIVE YEARS LATER, THEY APPRECIATE THE PROVEN COW FAMILIES OF THE BULLS.

animal husbandry, it takes a team working towards a common goal, to be able to do what we do at this level. It starts at the top - John has been enthusiastically committed to aggressively improving our cow herd. That passion is what fuels our team. We are proud to have joined with like-minded breeders to form Cavender-Draggin’ M and Partners this past year.”

“We’re excited for the breed, and the future of Brangus. We have a passion for building the breed through our cow herd and we continue to see the upward trend of registration numbers and quality across all breeders. There’s

just so much upside to Brangus and we’re excited to be a part of it. We had our first CDP Brangus sale in November, and we were humbled with the over-whelming support from breeders across the country and internationally.”

“It’s a family affair. And that’s why we do it,” reminds Green. “My wife Sara and our two kids, Hadley, 6, and Breck, 3, are a big part of the operation. They’re always out riding horses and helping out around the ranch. It’s our goal in life to raise our kids around agriculture. We’re hoping we can build the next generation of Brangus around here, in more ways than one.”

25

Thank You! C

avender-Draggin’ M and Partners experienced record turnout for the 16th Annual Fall Production Sale at Cavender’s Neches River Ranch.

Sale goers were treated to first class hospitality, hosted

by Joe and Nancy Cavender, at the newly expanded and renovated Neches River sale and event facility.

The inaugural fall registered female event and this year’s expanded bull offering were met with great enthusiasm by all in attendance. On top of the

expanded offering, there was excitement towards the new pens that were built to better merchandise the larger offering of bulls at CDP. When the dust settled, premium Brangus and Ultrablack genetics, that are sure to help drive success for many operations, were spread across 15 states, coast-to-coast.

CDP would like to thank all our friends and customers who came out to support and make this sale a great success.

PROVEN GENETICS, TRUSTED BRAND | CDPBRANGUS.COM 26

January 2021

DMR EMPIRE 415G35

DMR EMPIRE 535G45

DMR EMPIRE 30G36

Sold by Draggin' M Ranch to Gold Creek Brangus - Marietta, GA Las Palomas Ranch - Marietta, GA $56,000

Sold by Draggin' M Ranch to Salacoa Valley Farms - Fairmount, GA $48,000

Sold by Draggin' M Ranch to JRT Brangus - Cumming, GA $45,000

DMR CAPITALIST 795G26

WAT EMPIRE 302G44

CB CAPITAL GAIN 2051G11

Sold by Draggin' M Ranch to Quail Valley Farms - Oneonta, AL $20,000

Sold by Johnston Brangus to Hayman's 711 Ranch - Kenansville, FL $20,000

Sold by Cavender Brangus to Draggin' M Ranch - El Dorado, AR $16,000

NECHES RIVER SALE AVERAGES BRANGUS & ULTRABLACK BULLS

$6,356

BRANGUS & ULTRABLACK FEMALES

$8,328

COMMERCIAL FEMALES

$1,940

903-747-1136 | INFO@CDPBRANGUS.COM 27

FEATURE ARTICLE

Vitamin A

NEEDS DURING DROUGHT TIMES

by Vince Collison, DVM, Collison Embryo Center This year has been extremely unusual for western Iowa.

After several years of excessive spring rains and mud, causing many newborn calf issues, we’ve had a real turn around and experienced a full-blown drought with in much of west central Iowa. This can lead to problems that potentially won’t show up until the spring calving season.

We’ve already seen with the ultrasound pregnancy exams a lot of open and later bred cows. It seems to have hit the cows that were bred in June and early July the hardest. Many of these cattle will usually cool off in pasture creeks. With the extreme lack of rain, many of these pasture creeks are not flowing, and a typically reliable source of cool water to stand in is not available.

Probably one of the biggest concerns we have going into calving next spring is there will be a higher chance to see vitamin A deficiency following a drought year. Forage put up under drought conditions will usually have lower vitamin A

content than an average year. Vitamin A deficiency can cause many issues, but at calving, it is most commonly seen as calves not wanting to get up and nurse at birth. The other problem you may notice is stillborn calves. We have noticed more of these issues in the last ten years as producers have moved to feeding more modified wet distillers, ground corn stalks, and silage as a winter ration instead of hay. This type of ration is basically devoid of vitamin A. Producers that typically feed a lot of hay in their ration don’t see these low vitamin A issues as often unless they are using hay that was put up in drought conditions or even rained on before putting up.

Cows will store vitamin A in their liver for 3-4 months, so in a typical year, the reserves they store can usually last them through the fall into December.

One of the other problems with vitamin A is that it undergoes degradation very quickly when in contact with mineral or distillers. We have seen cattle fed

PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONCERNS WE HAVE GOING INTO CALVING NEXT SPRING IS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER CHANCE TO SEE VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY FOLLOWING A DROUGHT YEAR

28

January 2021

FEATURE ARTICLE distiller, cornstalk, and silage rations, with a mineral fortified with vitamin A to meet cows’ needs and still show symptoms of low vitamin A. Our observations have been that vitamin A packaged in mineral products will lose potency the longer it sits post-manufacturing.

You will generally notice the symptoms of low vitamin A in calves first. Usually, the cows will not show any symptoms.

Another problem with low vitamin A in calves is impaired immune functions. For cows, symptoms may appear as a lack of regular estrus cycles and fertility. Vitamin A is required for healthy embryo development and cell differentiation during the development process. If you have seen any of these issues in the past, vitamin A deficiency should be considered as a cause.

There are various ways to supplement cattle for vitamin A: 1) Injecting vitamin A is an easy solution. It can be done in early winter at the time of pregnancy exams and is an excellent time to booster liver stores prior to calving. Injectable vitamin A can commonly cause reactions in cows, so always have epinephrine on hand and watch cows closely after injecting. Avoid giving any other injections on the same side of the neck when injecting vitamin A. Consult your herd veterinarian if using injectable vitamin A. 2) Feed a vitamin A premix in the TMR at a rate to meet the cow’s daily needs. It can work quite well, but overfeeding can result in toxicity, so feeding just the amount needed is vital.

3) Adding quality hay to the ration will meet a cow’s needs just as well as anything supplemented or injected.

Vitamin A deficiency is a complex issue. It can show up in many various feeding situations. Serum from cattle can be analyzed for vitamin A and how we like to diagnose a problem. If cows have been on good pasture during the summer, we would wait until December or January to sample cows for vitamin A status. If cows are in dry lot situations during the summer, surveillance can be done at any time. We feel it is best to check cows before supplementing them with vitamin A, as levels too high can result in toxicity issues. Toxicity will show up as hyperkeratosis, alopecia, and loss of condition in cows. When

supplementing vitamin A in the herd, it is best to work or consult with your herd veterinarian or nutritionist. Many herds typically won’t experience problems, but with feed put up in widespread drought conditions this summer, it is something producers need to be aware of heading into the next calving season.

Dr. Vince Collison is co-owner of Collison Embryo and Collison Veterinary Services in Rockwell City, Iowa. This article was originally published in and reprinted with permission from The Stockman Magazine and Collison Embryo Center.

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The InTernaTIonal JunIor Brangus Breeders assocIaTIon

Presents

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS July 27 - August 1, 2021

Bell counTY eXPo Belton, texAs

Over

Scholarships  Premiums  Awards  Buckles  Banners

0 0 0 , 0 $5 d

e d r a w A

Tuesday July 27

8:00 am 12:00 pm 3:00 pm 4:00 pm 6:00 pm

Cattle and tack Allowed in Barns IJBBA Board Candidate Interviews Cattle Must Be In Place opening Ceremonies nJBs Fun night

8:00 am

12:00 noon 1:30 pm 4:30 pm 5:00 pm

8:00 am 12:00 noon 3:00 pm

Breakfast with the Brangus Queen nJBs Cattle Check-In lunch stock show u Demo Clinic team Fitting & showing Contest Dinner & Brangus Jeopardy

Thursday July 29

8:00 am 12:00 noon 1:30 pm 4:00 pm 6:30 pm 7:30 pm

sullivan supply showmanship Contests lunch Roger & Janet greuel speech Contest salesmanship Contest taste of states Barnyard olympics

Bred and owned shows owned ultra Female show Percentage Female show lunch Futurity only Cattle Check-In skill-A-thon & Judging Contests Costume Contest source of Champions sale & social

Saturday July 31

Wednesday July 28

7:30 am 8:00 am 12:00 noon 1:00 pm 2:00 pm 6:00 pm

Friday July 30

6:00 pm

national Junior owned shows lunch IJBBA legacy Foundation supreme Heifer scholarship showdown IJBBA general Membership Meeting & Awards Banquet

Sunday August 1

8:00 am

Brangus Futurity show Animals must be out of barn by midnight.

*this schedule is tentative and therefore, subject to change.

W O H

s t s

More InforMatIon CoMIng Soon! www.juniorbrangus.com

e t A th

e

th

eear r G on

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January 2021

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The International Brangus Breeders Foundation (IBBF) is excited to launch a new pledge program called Bullish on Brangus.

The program will help to generate funds to be used for research, education, and ultimately to fuel growth within the Brangus breed.

A simple goal for Bullish on Brangus contributions would be for interested members to donate $10 per every registered animal they sell. Each Bullish on Brangus donor will receive IBBA merchandise as a token of appreciation. Each year the IBBF will honor the Top Donor of the Year and Top Lifetime Contributor, both contributors will be featured in an article highlighting their operation’s generosity.

34

January 2021

Donor Bill and Gail Davis John Milam Dr. Randy Schmidt Joe and Nancy Cavender Michael and Judith Kammerer Ray and Karen Westall Vern and Vicki Suhn Brett Basden Ray Johnston David and Nada Wood Joe and Nancee Lingg Johnny Vines Mike and Gloria Weathers Circle X Land & Cattle Randy Nugent Roy & Skeeter Davis Family Foundation Tony and Lolita Westbrooks Joe Kassler GENETRUST, LLC Blackwater Cattle Co. Mike Vorel Texas Brangus Breeders Association Buck Thomason Lake Majestik Joe and Melanie Fuller Howard and Carolyn Davis Hardee Farms Oklahoma Brangus Breeders Association Salacoa Valley Farms Alfonso Gonzalez Tajo Ranch Cody and Emily Gariss Doguet’s Diamond D Ranch GKB Cattle Co. Traci Middleton Russ and Pam Williamson TRIO Cattle & Genetics, Allen Goode Oskar Juarez Pepe Medina Robert and Margie Field Tommie Rogers TRIO & MBJ Power of the Brands Brandon Belt Vanna Farms R.L. and Sally Robbs Eddie Blazek Jerri Lynn Pierce Craig Stovall Lionel Arsement Pete DeLeeuw Darby Cattle Co. Don Dorn James and Diane Ansohn

Bullish on Brangus Total $2,030 $5,680 $4,910 $7,550 $6,380 $2,360 $1,450 $227

$2,833

$1,910 $1,500 $1,333 $1,312 $1,312 $1,000 $1,000

$656 $656 $480 $333

Other Contributions $14,500 $10,100 $10,000 $5,000 $10,300 $10,000 $3,000 $8,500 $5,000 $5,000 $5,300 $5,242 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $4,750 $4,000 $3,820 $2,800 $2,500 $2,250 $1,700 $1,550 $1,500

$1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $900 $500 $500 $400 $250 $100 $100 $75 $50 $25 $25 $25 $25

Total $16,530 $15,780 $14,910 $12,550 $10,300 $10,000 $9,380 $8,500 $7,360 $6,450 $5,300 $5,242 $5,227 $5,000 $5,000 $5,000 $4,750 $4,000 $3,820 $2,833 $2,800 $2,500 $2,250 $1,910 $1,700 $1,550 $1,500 $1,500 $1,333 $1,312 $1,312 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $900 $656 $656 $500 $500 $480 $400 $333 $250 $100 $100 $75 $50 $25 $25 $25 $25

35

FEATURE ARTICLE

RECORDKEEPING TOOLS BENEFIT COW-CALF PRODUCERS

Article courtesy of the Noble Research Institute

by Devlon Ford, agricultural consultant and research associate The use of technology within the animal agriculture industry has seen rapid advancements in the last several years. Technology has been developed or re-purposed to assist producers in management of pastures, enterprises, and individual animals.

One particular development or re-purposing of technology is the increased number of individual animal database management systems, which allow producers to make better informed decisions. Individual animal records, especially for cow-calf producers, can have an impact on a producer’s bottom

line, regardless if they are running a commercial herd or a registered herd. | FOR COMMERCIAL PRODUCERS | Commercial producers can use individual animal records to distinguish performance levels in their animals. By identifying poor performing animals early, producers can effectively design a different management or marketing strategy for them.

Identifying higher performing animals enables producers to give further consideration into how they will fit into a different breeding scenario to further increase production. (continued on page 38)

36

January 2021

FEATURE ARTICLE (continued from page 36)

| FOR REGISTERED PRODUCERS | For producers raising registered animals, record keeping for individual animals takes on a different level of importance.

In addition to the benefits discussed for commercial producers, owners of registered animals may find an individual animal record keeping system makes collecting, storing, and retrieving records for purposes of registration significantly easier.

Breed associations typically require records pertaining to parentage, calving, and weaning. A producer must be able to identify which bull, either through artificial insemination (AI) or natural service, bred each cow from which they wish to register the offspring in order to keep accurate records of lineage. Keeping detailed records of which cows were exposed to their herd bulls will assist them in establishing the baseline data.

If AI is used, the collection of this data becomes even more crucial. If cows are AI’ed to the same breed of bull as was used in the cleanup program or if multiple sires were turned out, a DNA sample (an increasingly popular technology in animal agriculture) may need to be collected and analyzed to determine sire parentage.

Providing birth weights, calving dates, calving ease, and weaning weights give the association the needed information to formulate accurate EPDs associated with animals. | TYPES OF RECORD KEEPING SYSTEMS | Collection and reporting of these records can be made easier using either an electronic spreadsheet or database management system. Each type of system can provide different benefits and deterrents to producers. | SPREADSHEETS | Spreadsheet programs are typically available across most platforms and are simple to learn when it comes to the basics.

Spreadsheets give the user the ability to save in a variety of formats including CSV, which is a common format for uploading documents into a larger database, such as breed association files. Spreadsheets give the user the ability to sort rows, reorganize columns, and label columns to specific needs.

Some of the handicaps to keeping records in a spreadsheet format is the lack of a controlled structure, labeling, and limited analysis of the collected data. Controlled structure refers to the order in which the data is collected. In other words, it is the weight data point that is always in the same column or in the

same position (last data point collected). Labeling refers to how columns are titled. As users become more proficient, they will begin performing rudimentary analytics. If weight is listed differently (for example as Weight or WT), different analytic results may be found. | DATABASE SOFTWARE | Database software allows producers the ability to collect accurate data in a consistent manner. These systems will typically allow a producer the ability to find animals with similar attributes based on given parameters as well as provide predetermined reports and individual animal treatments.

When producers are considering the implementation of a database, there are a few questions to be considered. Does the database have a monthly or annual service fee associated with the product or is it a one-time charge? Is it a user-friendly system? Are there features not readily apparent that brings better function and value to the user? Will I have to buy additional hardware to initiate use of a database system?

Another point for consideration is the ability to import historical data and export all production data if a producer identifies a different system in the future. The ability to import historical data allows the user to access past data with current data without having to look through old notes or spreadsheets. The exportation of data allows the producer to have their records in one file to move to a new system.

Many databases will have an app that can be used on a mobile device, such as a phone, in addition to a website or downloaded software. If the system a producer is looking at has an app, the producer needs to determine the type of device the app is compatible with, iOS or Android. | BENEFITS OF RECORD-KEEPING TECHNOLOGY | Producers will find that there are many benefits in implementing record-keeping technology into their production system: increased accuracy and analysis of livestock performance records, ease of access and reporting abilities to outside entities, and the ability to implement better strategic management practices within their operation.

As an added benefit, the use of technology will reveal areas for improvement in management and allow more time to work on other aspects of the enterprise, and to spend more time with family rather than pouring through volumes of notebooks that have been accumulated over time.

FOR PRODUCERS RAISING REGISTERED ANIMALS, RECORD KEEPING FOR INDIVIDUAL ANIMALS TAKES ON A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF IMPORTANCE.

38

January 2021

39

y c a Leg Female The 2021 IJBBA

offered by: Farris Ranching Company

Farris Ranching Company danny & MB Farris

918 Lemons Gap Road * Tuscola, TX 79562 * (325) 669-5727

T

he iJBBA is excited to announce that the 2021 iJBBA Legacy Female will be offered by Farris Ranching company of tuscola, texas. designed to help fund the iJBBA Legacy Leadership conference, the iJBBA Board of directors, and the national Junior Brangus Show as well as build upon the legacy of proven Brangus leaders that the iJBBA is known to produce, the iJBBA Legacy Female is key to the success of our Brangus Youth.

With an incredible past, deeply rooted in the Brangus breed, especially the iJBBA, Farris Ranching company graciously agreed to donate the 2021 iJBBA Legacy Female. the Farris family continues a long tenure of involvement with the breed and the juniors, just as another generation on the ranch comes of age to put the entire family back in the middle of it all! From attending nJBS, oftentimes just to cheer on other participants, to years of service on both the iBA Officer team and the iJBBA Advisory committee, danny and Mary Beth truly epitomize the Brangus Family. Stay tuned to the iJBBA Facebook page, the iJBBA website, and the March issue of the Brangus Journal for more information on the remarkable female being offered by one of the iconic supporters of the iJBBA.

the iJBBA Board of directors would like to thank Farris Ranching company for their continued support of the iJBBA and Brangus Juniors across the country!

You are invited to participate in a group effort to purchase this female. For more information, please contact any iJBBA director or Advisor, or call tyler or Jessica dean at (405)207-6921 or email tylerwdean@ gmail.com. All proceeds go to benefit the Brangus Juniors! don’t miss this unique opportunity that supports a great cause. We’ll see you in Waco!

She sells at the 2021

Genetic edGe XXVi SALe March 27, 2021 ◆ Waco, tX

40

November 2020

WWW.JuniORBRAnGuS.cOM

41

CATTLEFAX TRENDS

FEMALE MARKET IN THE NEXT CYCLE

The IBBA is proud to bring you the CattleFax Trends Publication. Look for this article each month in the Brangus Journal and Frontline Beef Producer. If you would like to learn more about CattleFax, please go to www.cattlefax.com.

In last month’s article the long-term outlook for the calf market was discussed. To summarize, a lot of factors are pointing to 2020 being the cycle lows, on an annual basis.

From here, prices should trend higher into the middle of the decade as the cowherd endures a modest liquidation for another two or three years. Consequently, smaller calf crops should support prices and improve cow-calf producers’ leverage position to ultimately increase profitability. As margins grow, operations will be incentivized to expand, which in turn will strengthen demand for females. These trends were very prominent at the last cycle highs, and there is no reason to expect anything different at the next peak.

Two major variables that influence the female market is profitability and producers’ calf market outlook. The historical relationship between female and calf prices supports that statement. From 1980 to October 2020, monthly bred female and calf values are nearly 99% correlated. Available grazing resources can also be added to the list of factors that impact cow prices; however, it is very difficult to predict rainfall amounts six months away, let alone five years from now.

Assuming Mother Nature has provided ample resources, U.S. average bred cow prices could increase at least $200 to $300

per head over the next three to four years.

The CattleFax U.S. average bred cow price is on track to average about $1,560 per head in 2020, while the U.S. 550-pound steer price should average roughly $160/cwt or $880 per head. This equates to a 1.77 ratio for the number of 550-pound steers needed to pay for a running age bred cow.

The next highest ratio is 1.76 in 2017. Even though this year’s ratio could end as a new record, it would not be out of line relative to the last five years. Since calves averaged over $240/ cwt in 2014, the female-to-calf ratio has remained elevated in a range of 1.64 to 1.76, compared to the 20-year average of 1.56. CattleFax’s most recent 2021 outlook projects calves to im-prove $8/cwt and bred female prices to increase about $40, to $1,600 per head, on average, which equates to a 1.73 ratio.

Since the mid-1970s, the ratio trends lower, in general, during the contraction phase of the cattle cycle. Although, the average level of the ratio has increased each of the last three contraction phases. The beef cowherd is expected to decline in numbers through 2022. Even if the female-to-calf ratio decreases, to some degree, it doesn’t mean the cow market will get any cheaper than current levels. It will mostly be a function of calf prices increasing at a faster rate relative to females. For example, if calves were to average $173/cwt in 2022, a conservative expectation, and the ratio goes back to 2015 levels of 1.64, then females would be worth $1,560 per head – steady with 2020.

By 2023 or 2024, the cowherd is projected to be back in an expansion phase of the cattle cycle. When this transition occurs, the bred cow-to-calf ratio typically increases as demand for females strengthens. In the last (continued on page 44)

42

January 2021

43

CATTLEFAX TRENDS (continued from page 42)

article, 2024 calf prices were conservatively projected to average $185/cwt or $1,017 per head. Assuming the ratio is in the same range as the last expansion, 1.64 to 1.76, bred cow prices could average $1,669 to $1,791 per head. It’s likely that $185/cwt in 2024 is too low, or calf prices will continue to trend higher for at least another year or two. For example, if calf values average $200/cwt and using the same ratio range of 1.64 to 1.76, bred fe-males would average $1,804 or $1,936, respectively. As a reminder, U.S. bred cows brought about $2,250 per head, on average, in 2015. Bottom line,

no matter how the ratio is calculated or whether it is during contraction or expansion, female prices should not be lower than current levels into the middle of the decade.

Most producers do not buy bred females all year round, so a seasonal measurement can provide some boundaries for bred cow prices relative to the calf market. The accompanying charts display the five, 10, and 20-year average for each month for a July market year. To no surprise the five-year line is the most elevated and shows a slightly different trend between October and November. Nonetheless, December is when the peak occurs for each, after a bottom in September.

Because two variables make up a ratio, it is important keep in mind what those seasonals are. Fortunately, the market year seasonal patterns are nearly identical. The bred cow market typically makes a low in September or October before trending to a high around April. Calf prices are usually the lowest in October or November and peak near the end of March.

While 2020 has been a challenge, it is also the time of maximum financial opportunity for cow-calf enterprises. Revenue for cowcalf operations is projected to increase into the middle of the decade, but input costs for females are expected to be higher as well. Waiting until the cycle highs, will likely be very expensive and may take several years to pay off. Some learned this lesson the hard way when purchasing cows in 2014 and 2015, because calf prices will not stay at cycle peaks for long, according to history. In fact, this is actually the point of maximum financial risk for a business. If Mother Nature allows, buying females sooner is the right decision for an operation. The current outlook into the middle of the decade suggests the bred cow market should have support near $1,600 per head for a U.S. annual average, with a strong chance of approaching, or even exceeding, $2,000 per head.

45

PRESS RELEASE

GENEPLUS AT CHIMNEY ROCK CHALLENGE PEN SHOW

Grand Champion Pen of Two Lawman Ms Abstract 918H and Lawman Ms Innovation 25H Lawman Brangus Ranch, Okmulgee, Oklahoma

Reserve Grand Champion Pen of One RSB Ms Senator 504G4 Rock Springs Farm, Albertville, Alabama

Reserve Grand Champion Pen of Two CFC Miss Big Lake 23H3 and CFC Miss Big Lake 23H Cross F Cattle of Willow City, Texas

Reserve Grand Champion Ultrablack Pen of One JJ Ms Currency 675G Jackson’s Double J, Gentry, Arkansas

An international presence was apparent at the GENEPLUS at Chimney Rock Challenge Pen Show held in Concord, Arkansas, as Palgrove Pastoral Co. P/L of Queensland, Australia swept two divisions at the show held November 6, 2020.

Pat Simmons, Genetic Leaders International, Candler, North Carolina, judged the competitive, high quality show of 31 pens. The show included six Pen of One Brangus, seven Pen of One Ultrablacks, and nine Pen of Two, both Brangus and Ultrablack.

Winning Grand Champion Pen of One in the Brangus division was Palgrove Pastoral Co. with Palgrove Ms LTD Q1611, born November 2019, sired by CB Tradition 63A. RSB Ms Senator 504G4, was named Reserve Grand Champion Pen of One, owned by Rock Springs Farm, Albertville, Alabama. She was sired by Suhn’s HRF Senator 30E80.

Grand Champion in the Ultrablack Pen of One division was an August 2019 female, Ms Palgrove Princess Q780, sired by Suhn’s Business Line 30D26, and owned by Palgrove Pastoral Co. Jackson’s Double J, Gentry, Arkansas, displayed a daughter of Vorel Currency 25E8, JJ Ms Currency 675G, who was named Reserve Grand Champion Pen of One Ultrablack.

The Pen of Two division combined both Brangus and Ultrablack. Winning Grand Champion Pen of Two was Lawman Brangus Ranch of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, with spring born Ultrablack heifers, Lawman Ms Abstract 918H and Lawman Ms Innovation 25H, sired by Vorel Abstract 25E9 and MAR Innovation 251 respectively. Cross F Cattle of Willow City, Texas, took Reserve Grand Champion honors with two BWCC Big Lake 111F4 daughters, CFC Miss Big Lake 23H3 and CFC Miss Big Lake 23H, Brangus heifers born January 2020.

Exhibitors were entered into a drawing for credit with ReproLogix and $500 from Purina Animal Nutrition.

Winning $500 credits with ReproLogix were Wyman Creek Ranch, Summersville, Missouri, Platte Valley Brangus, Burden, Kansas, and Giffin Farm, Rogers, Arkansas. The Purina credit went to Hatfield Brangus, Bentonville, Arkansas.

GENEPLUS hosted this one-of-a-kind pen show as an opportunity for breeders to display their genetics in an innovative format in front of a wide range of their peers. For more information on the GENEPLUS program visit www.GENEPLUSBrangus.com.

48

January 2021

GENEPLUS 49

FEATURE ARTICLE

Cattlewoman CONVERSATION WITH A

GETTING TO KNOW IBBA BOARD DIRECTOR MARY DOUGLASS OF SEGUIN, TEXAS

WHAT’S THE BEST DAY YOU’VE EVER HAD ON THE OPERATION? The best day on our farm was when a fellow member and breeder I have known and respected for over 20 years purchased one of my bulls. They were someone who I have always admired the way they evaluate and manage their herd, and someone that has been in the Brangus breed over 40+ years. Finally, after all the work of studying, selecting, culling, and improving my herd, someone who’s opinion was important to me was interested in the Brangus genetics we were producing.

YOU’RE THE BOARD JUNIOR LIAISON, WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT TO YOU? I love working with junior Brangus breeders! The International Junior Brangus Breeders Association (IJBBA) is a springboard for lifelong friendships. Many of the IJBBA members I met over 20 years ago now have their own children involved as junior members. It is a pleasure to watch these young men and women grow in knowledge, experience, and wisdom while learning roles in leadership, teamwork, and accountability. Plus, the average IBBA member just doesn’t realize how much time and effort goes into the National Junior Brangus Show. Those kids work hard to put on the show and get their cattle there, I’m glad to back them up in support.

WHAT’S THE MOST USED TOOL ON YOUR FARM? The most used tool on our farm is the elbow grease of Chris and Mary Douglass. But, as far as equipment goes, I’d probably say I use my Kubota RTV more than anything else on the ranch. Followed in third by my computer for most used item.

50

January 2021

WHO’S YOUR FAVORITE COW OR BULL? My favorite cow is CX Ms Presidente 74X1. I sold her dam to Don Cox, Cox Excalibur Brangus at the Texas Brangus Breeders Association (TBBA) Spring Sale in April 2008. Don bred her to SKYHAWK’S Presidente and the mating resulted in 74X1. Some people might say “she’s just a cow.” For me, this cow represents 25 years of memories and cherished friendships. I can look back at her pedigree for five generations, and I personally know almost every breeder, owner, and ranch staff involved in raising her lineage to get her to my ranch. Surveying her pedigree invokes memories of sales, shows, and other events that I have attended with my extended Brangus family.

I am going to proudly stand on their very broad shoulders to produce the best Brangus possible. I’d like to personally thank those who were a part of raising my favorite cow, 74X1.

Don Cox, Cox Excalibur Brangus Russ and Pam Williamson, Skyhawk Brangus Garry and Karen Ishee, D Bar D Brangus David Vaughn, Salacoa Valley Finis Welch, Center Ranch Eric White, South Gate Ranch Tim Lucherk, Rafter L Cattle Brinks Brangus of Camp Cooley Lenis and Keegan Moonen, Moonen Brangus Gene, Nelda, and Woody Ray, Ray’s Brangus Farm Dr. Robert Vineyard, Vineyard Cattle Co. Clayton Williams, Williams Brangus

FEATURE ARTICLE

CX MS PRESIDENTE 74X1

WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED IN THE BUSINESS? “When a person shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” -Maya Angelou WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE/LEAST FAVORITE JOB ON THE FARM? The worst job on the farm is culling the older cows and bulls from the herd. They’ve done their job and it’s painful to see them leave.

WHAT ABOUT THE FUTURE OF BRANGUS EXCITES YOU THE MOST? The Brangus breed has come a long way since I bought my first Brangus cattle 25 years ago. Considering the genetic improvements that I have seen over these years, I am looking forward to the prospect of the genetics to come.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF. I believe in Jesus Christ and I hope that he knows me. I am a wife to the best husband, Chris Douglass. I am a mom and a mimi. I am a passionate Brangus enthusiast. I love the smell of the barn. I never tire of planting seeds and watching a crop come up. Spring is my favorite season. I love looking at new baby calves and listening to rain. I like honest hard work and having things done right. I’m a straight shooter; don’t ask me what I think unless you really want my honest opinion.

I am not above making a mistake. I like to err on the side of love. I forgive easily and love much.

51

THROWBACK JOURNAL

JANUARY 1971

IBBA executive secretary, Roy Lilley wrote in his monthly address about the upcoming expanding of the nation’s cow herd, emphasizing the need for more beef cow numbers in the next 10-15 years. “The outlook for the balance of the 1970s looks mighty bright for Brangus breeders,” Lilley wrote. “But there is a strong challenge to continue bearing down on herd improvement programs with emphasis on performance testing. We can look for our inspection activities to improve and continue to be a strong factor in the further improvement and acceptance of the most practical breed in the United States – Brangus.”

“If the consumer is to understand the beef cattle industry, we will have to try and understand the consumer,” W.O. Fair, president of the American National Cattlemen’s Association (ANCA) said. The main topic of the presentations held at the 1971 ANCA Convention was, “What Consumers Think of You.” 52

January 2021

CRAIG GREEN 870-834-1976 | JOE CAVENDER 903-571-1209 | KENNETH WELCH 903-571-8716 | CDPBRANGUS.COM

FUTURE LEGENDS – HITTING THE MARK YOUNG SIRES, DESTINED FOR GREATNESS

PRIME CUT

WRANGLER

$40 PER UNIT

$40 PER UNIT

First calves selling in March 12 CDP Bull Sale • Reports on calves outstanding around the country • Use to moderate frame and add muscle • Use on heifers • Add thickness • Bulls on feed are at the TOP!!

First calves on the ground • Impressive phenotype • Adding bone, structure and stoutness in a moderate package • Adds power like his sire but with impressive sheath design • Make Wrangler a part of your breeding program and you won’t be disappointed!!

CB PRIME CUT 415G11 | THREE D X NORTH STAR CED BW WW YW M TM CEM

CB WRANGLER 561F3 |MAJESTIK BEACON X CHISHOLM CED BW WW YW M TM CEM SC

3.9

1.4

31

52

5

21

3.5

30%

SC

REA

IMF

FT

0.64

0.26

0.08

-0.041

30%

5.8

2.1

30%

43

83

10%

10%

6

28

3.3

0.54

20%

REA

IMF

FT

0.57

-0.01

-0.036

20%

CURVE BENDING FUTURE STARS CALVING-EASE TRAIT LEADERS

BLOUNT

GROWTH FUND

$40 PER UNIT

$40 PER UNIT

Sold to Hayman 711 for $14,500 • Curve bending numbers with 7 traits in top 20% puts 607G7 in rare air when evaluating breed choices • His pedigree and usefulness is unlimited on many cows in the breed while carrying a 10 milk EPD • One of the heaviest muscled bulls sold at CDP fall 2020 sale and the future is bright for this young bull!

Sold to Draggin’ M for for $16,000 • Curve bending birth to yearling! • Impressive substance and volume with stoutness and eye appeal. When you’re looking to add consistency, calving-ease, front-pasture phenotype and fertility, consider 2051G11 as your breeding choice • Several breeders throughout the country have purchased semen as this bull has unlimited future!

CB BLOUNT 607G7 | TRAIL BOSS X FINAL CUT CED BW WW YW M TM CEM

CB GROWTH FUND 2051G11 | CAPITAL GAIN X CONSENSUS CED BW WW YW M TM CEM SC REA

5.2

1.1

45

87

4%

5%

10

SC

REA

IMF

FT -0.032

32

4.4

1.09

0.67

0.3

10%

10%

10%

10%

10%

5.2

0.1

47

80

3%

10%

0

24

4

35%

20%

0.35

IMF

FT

0.53

0.38

-0.036

20%

5%

53

SERVICE DIRECTORY

FRIENDS WE WILL MISS

CHARLES “GAYLAND” TOWNSEND

Charles “Gayland” Townsend, 81, of Milburn, Oklahoma went home Friday, November 27, 2020.

Townsend was born in Arch, New Mexico to Richard and Marjorie Townsend on May 25, 1939.

He graduated from Clovis High School. He married Patti Kinsey on July 15,1961 in Reno, Nevada.

The Townsends moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico after their marriage. He, along with his brother, owned and operated a drywall business along with multiple cattle ranches in New Mexico. In1972, after selling the drywall business, the Townsend family moved to one of the ranches in Roswell, New Mexico where they remained until 2004. In 2004, Gayland and Patti moved to Milburn, Oklahoma, where they still own and operate a registered Brangus cattle ranch.

While in Roswell, Townsend was a board member of the soil and water conservation of the Dexter-Hagerman district, in which he was the chairman for many years. He was a board member of the International Brangus Breeders Association

54

January 2021

and the Southwest Brangus Breeders Association. He also was one of the founding members of the Roswell Brangus Bull and Female Sale, which will have their 30th annual sale in 2021. While in Milburn, Townsend served on the city council.

Townsend was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and two sisters. He is survived by his wife, Patti Townsend; sons Philip of Meade, Oklahoma, Steven of Milburn, Oklahoma, and Charles and wife Rhonda of Glasgow, Kentucky; four grandchildren Cody Townsend and wife Elisa of Clayton, New Mexico, Owen Margaret Kruse and husband Augie of Evansville, Indiana, C. Oliver Townsend of Washington D.C., and Tyler Townsend of Milburn, Oklahoma; two great-grandchildren Katelyn and Natalie; his brother Henry Townsend and wife Pat of Ruidoso, New Mexico, and sister Faith Bradley of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Pallbearers were Cody Townsend, Oliver Townsend, Tyler Townsend, Augie Kruse, Gary West, and Dustyn Carpenter.

Honorary pallbearers were Phillip Tate, Bill Morrison, Sammy Pierce, Dewayne Covington, Dr. Paul Weathers, Ivan Richeson, and Bob Winn.

STATE DIRECTORY

ALABAMA — ARIZONA — ARKANSAS — CALIFORNIA — FLORIDA

GALLOWAY BRANGUS BRANGUS SINCE 1978

LARRY

cell 256-603-1945 gallowaybrangus@comcast.net

LANCE

cell 256-924-5571 gallowaybrangus@gmail.com

Farm located at Gallant, AL 35972

Big D Ranch Phillip & Beth DeSalvo 173 Miller Lane Center Ridge, AR 72027 (501) 208-6119 www.BigDRanch.net

JOHN MILAM, OWNER Grady Green, Ranch Manager 870-314-3673 | grady@dragginmranch.com El Dorado, Arkansas www.dragginm.com 2020 IBBA Top ET Breeder

Brangus & Ultrablack Bulls Available Now at the Ranch and the fall Brangus & angus InvItatIonal Bull sale

Sat., September 26, 2020

Tulare Co. Stockyard, Dinuba, California bull Photos anD matings: www.spanishranch.net Follow Us on Instagram @spanishranchcuyama

SPANISH RANCH Brangus and Ultrablack Cattle

THD ©

Daniel & Pamela Doiron l 805-245-0434 Cell doiron@spanishranch.net l www.spanishranch.net

Contact Melanie Fuller at mfuller@gobrangus.com or 979.255.3343 for advertising spaces

FIND A BREEDER NEAR YOU VISIT US AT G O B R A N G U S . CO M / B R E E D E R -S E A R C H 55

STATE DIRECTORY

FLORIDA — GEORGIA — KANSAS — LOUISIANA — MISSISSIPPI

David Wood Magnolia, MS 713-539-5715

dwood@woodcorporation.com

CDPBrangus.com

Contact Melanie Fuller at mfuller@gobrangus.com or 979.255.3343 for advertising spaces

FIND A BREEDER NEAR YOU VISIT US AT G O B R A N G U S . CO M / B R E E D E R -S E A R C H 56

January 2021

STATE DIRECTORY

MISSOURI — NEW MEXICO — NORTH CAROLINA — OKLAHOMA — TEXAS

Commercial & Registered

Isaias Castillo 903-806-4711 icastillo903@yahoo.com Daniel Castillo 903-452-1052 castillotrucking903@yahoo.com

f

JOE & MELANIE FULLER - BEN & TRISH FULLER 14148 N State Highway 16, Willow City, TX 78675 C. 979-255-7747 E. jw.fuller@yahoo.com

Contact Melanie Fuller at mfuller@gobrangus.com or 979.255.3343 for advertising spaces

FIND A BREEDER NEAR YOU VISIT US AT G O B R A N G U S . CO M / B R E E D E R -S E A R C H 57

STATE DIRECTORY

TEXAS Drake Land & Cattle 398 Drake Road Quanah, Texas 79252

Cell: (832) 331-2527 Ranch: (940) 663-6143 drakeranch398@gmail.com www.drakeranch.com

est. 1924 Quanah, Texas

Registered Red Brangus & Ultrareds show heifers, herd sires, and replacements available Megan (713) 492-6158 John (281) 740-0572 greenwoodcattleco@yahoo.com

J

ackson family brangus

JODI & DAVID JACKSON 3099 Horseshoe Bend Waco, Texas 76708 Jodi cell: 254.722.9138

jodiatbentwood@sbcglobal.net

JLS International, Inc. Where winning tradition and performance collide Brangus bulls and heifers available year-round at private treaty.

www.jlsbrangus.com Jeff Smith, Owner Myron Saathoff myronsaathoff@yahoo.com

251-947-5688 210-218-4804

MIKE SHELTON C: 713.560.8333 Colita Loop, Colita, TX 77351 www.brangusprofit.com Registered Brangus and Ultrablack Cattle

Contact Melanie Fuller at mfuller@gobrangus.com or 979.255.3343 for advertising spaces MikeShelton-DirectoryCard.indd 1

FIND A BREEDER NEAR YOU VISIT US AT G O B R A N G U S . CO M / B R E E D E R -S E A R C H 58

January 2021

10/19/17 7:32 AM

TEXAS

STATE DIRECTORY

RIO RANCH

Registered Brahman, Charolais and Brangus Raul Montez 832-331-6800 jraulmontez@ymail.com 39606 FM 1736 Hempstead, TX 77445 RIORANCHTX.COM

Randy Schmidt 903.278.7777

Richard Norris 903.276.1804

Schmidt Farms BRANGUS & ULTRABLACK

Garrett Hinds 417-880-2839

ZR

Zottarelli Ranches Angelo Zottarelli 2156 FM 2414 Evant, Texas 76525

www.zottarelliranches.com

REGISTERED & COMMERCIAL CATTLE Mailing Address PO Box 400 Evant, TX 76525

254-471-5675 Ranch 512-422-3123 Mobile zrbrangus@sbcglobal.net

Contact Melanie Fuller at mfuller@gobrangus.com or 979.255.3343 for advertising spaces

FIND A BREEDER NEAR YOU VISIT US AT G O B R A N G U S . CO M / B R E E D E R -S E A R C H 59

CALENDAR JANUARY 1 IBBA Office Closed for New Years Holiday 10 Ad Reservation Deadline for Spring Frontline 10-14 Cattlemen's Congress & IBBA Annual Membership Meeting, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 11 Late Entry Deadline for Florida State Fair National Brangus Points Show, Tampa, Florida 12 The Exclusive Sale, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 10-14 IBBA Office Closed, Staff Working Remote from Oklahoma City 15-16 Southeast Brangus Breeders Association Board of Directors Meeting, Dahlonega, Georgia FEBRUARY 10 Ad Reservation Deadline for March Brangus Journal 11 Florida State Fair National Brangus Points Show, Tampa, Florida 20 MP Brangus at Diamond D Ranch Bull Sale, Comanche, Texas 27 Hunt's H+ Brangus Bull & Female Sale, Calhoun, Georgia 27 30th Annual Roswell Brangus Bull Sale, Roswell, New Mexico MARCH 5-6 Alabama Cattlemen’s Convention and Trade Show, Birmingham, Alabama 10 Ad Reservation Deadline for April Brangus Journal 12 Cavender-Draggin' M and Partners Brangus Bull Sale, Jacksonville, Texas 60

January 2021

12 Power Source Genetic Alliance, Paris, Texas 13 Louisiana Brangus & Ultrablack Bull Sale & Commercial Females, Lecompte, Louisiana 20 Mound Creek Ranch Genetics & Genomics Bull & Female Sale, Leona, Texas 23 GENEPLUS at Suhn Cattle Company Registered Brangus & Ultrablack Bull Sale, Eureka, Kansas 25 Briggs Super American Brangus & Santa Gertrudis 200 Head Bull Sale, Bloomington, Texas 26 MP Brangus at Diamond D Ranch Friday Night Lights Online Sale, Hosted by Smart Auctions 27 West Texas Brangus Breeders Sale, Abilene, Texas APRIL 2 IBBA Office Closed for Easter 2 Texas Brangus Breeders Association Annual Meeting, Salado, Texas 3 Texas Brangus Breeders Association Sale, Salado, Texas 10 Williams Ranch Co. Female Sale, Bastrop, Texas 17 MP Brangus at Diamond D Ranch Where Performance Meets Style Spring Sale, Poteet, Texas 24 Cavender-Draggin' M and Partners Female Sale, Jacksonville, Texas

ADVERTISING INDEX

ALABAMA Far Niente Farms ........................................55 Galloway Brangus ......................................55 Johnston Brangus .....................................55 Lake Majestik..............................................55 Quail Valley Farms......................................39 Saddle Hill Cattle Company........................47 Southeast Brangus Breeders......................55 TTT Brangus Farm........................................55 ARIZONA Carter Brangus ...........................................55 Parker Brangus...........................................55 ARKANSAS Adams & Creasy Insurance Agency.............54 Big D Ranch ...............................................55 Chimney Rock Cattle Co. ............................55 Don Hall Brangus ......................................55 Draggin M Ranch .......................................55 Giffin Farms................................................55 Jacksons Double J......................................55 Mobley, Luke..............................................54 Pope Farms Brangus...................................55 Red Bud Farms...........................................55 CALIFORNIA Spanish Ranch............................................55 FLORIDA Fenco Farms..........................................19, 55 Hardee Farms ............................................56 Phillips Ranch.............................................56 W.E.T. Farms................................................56 Wynne Ranch.............................................56 GEORGIA Blackwater Cattle Co. ..................... 32-33, 56 Burke Brangus Farm ..................................56 Char-No Farm .............................................56 Greuel Family Brangus ..............................56 L.G. Herndon, Jr. Farms, Inc. ......................56 Salacoa Valley Farms..................................56 The Oaks Farms...........................................19 Vanna Farms......................................... 46-47 IOWA Ritchie Industries........................................43 KANSAS Platte Valley Brangus.................................... 5 Suhn Cattle Co ...........................................56

LOUISIANA Bushley Creek Cattle Co. ............................56 Cross N Farms ............................................56 Louisiana Brangus Bull & Female Sale.......31 Mid South Cattle Company....................9, 56 The Branch Ranch.......................................56 MISSISSIPPI 5K Cowbelle Brangus ................................56 Double W Ranch ........................................56 T3 Brangus..................................................56 MISSOURI Don Thomas & Sons ...................................57 GENEPLUS...................................... 16-17, 49 Valley View Ranch.......................................57 Vitaferm......................................................62 NEBRASKA DVAuction.............................................21, 31 NEW MEXICO Bobby and Bobbie Brangus .......................57 Brinks Brangus @ Westall Ranches ............57 NORTH CAROLINA L&W Cattle Co.............................................57 Peterson Brangus.......................................57 Whitley Cattle Co........................................46 OKLAHOMA Amrich Ranch ............................................57 Dotson, Wes................................................54 K & R Broken Bar Ranch .............................57 Lawman Ranch...........................................57 Perry Ranch.................................................57 Vorel Farms.................................................57 TENNESSEE Hartness Brangus.......................................46 Mill Creek Land & Cattle.............................37 TEXAS 2C Brangus.................................................57 American Marketing Services .............................................5, 19, 29, 31, 39 Bovine Elite, LLC .........................................54 C&C Brangus..............................................57 Cavender Ranches ...............................53, 57 Cavender-Draggin’ M and Partners...... 26-27 Clark Cattle Services ...................................54 Cox Excalibur Brangus ...............................57 Cross F Cattle..............................................57

Diamond K Ranch ......................................57 Double Creek Brangus Ranch ....................57 Drake Land & Cattle ...................................58 E3 Ranch, LLC .............................................58 Elgin Breeding Services, LLC ......................54 Farris Ranching Company ..........................58 G Bar Brangus.............................................58 Gardner Cattle Co........................................58 Garry Clem Brangus ...................................58 Genesis Ranch ...........................................58 GKB Cattle ............................................41, 58 Greenwood Cattle Co. ................................58 Hi Point Sales + Marketing .IFC, 9, 35, 37, BC Indian Hills Ranch .....................................58 Jackson Family Brangus.............................58 JLS International ........................................58 K & L Brangus .............................................58 L Ray Ranch................................................ IFC Lambert, Doak............................................54 Lucherk Cattle.............................................35 Mound Creek Ranch....................... 12-13, 58 MP Brangus..........................................58, BC Oak Creek Farms.........................................58 Oakley, Lakin..............................................54 OK Farms....................................................58 Old Colita Ranch...............................9, 45, 58 Pennridge Ranch..................................39, 58 Rafter 2 Ranch............................................58 Reagan, Terry..............................................54 Rio Ranch....................................................58 Roop Cattle Co. ..........................................58 Santa Rosa Ranch...................................3, 58 Scamardo Brangus..............................58, IBC Schmidt Farms............................................58 Star G Ranch...............................................58 Starwood Ranch..........................................58 Tajo Ranch............................................43, 58 Texas Brangus Breeders Association...........29 Trio Cattle & Genetics..................................58 Triple Crown Ranch.....................................58 Triple JR Cattle Co.......................................58 Tuna Rosa Ranch.........................................58 Turner Brangus Farm..................................58 Vineyard Cattle Co......................................58 Williams Ranch Co................................21, 58 Zottarelli Ranches.......................................58

ABOUT THE BRANGUS JOURNAL The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) is proud to offer its members and industry affiliates the opportunity to promote themselves through Brangus Publications, Inc.’s (BPI) print and digital mediums. IBBA’s printed publications are produced by BPI and are distributed to a mailing list, comprised of addresses in Australia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Philippines, Thailand, and the United States; with a circulation of approximately 2,000.

The Brangus Journal (ISSN 0006-9132) is published by Brangus Publications, Inc. (BPI), 8870 US Highway 87 East, San Antonio, Texas 78263, monthly except February, June, July, and September. Periodicals postage paid at San Antonio, Texas and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address change to Brangus Publications Inc., P.O. Box 809, Adkins, Texas 78101.

The Brangus Journal is the official publication of the International Brangus® Breeders Association (IBBA). The Brangus Journal is published eight times annually, the purpose of the Brangus Journal is to serve the best interest of IBBA members by showcasing breeding programs, efforts, and achievements to other Brangus® seedstock producers. Lastly, the Brangus Journal serves as an outlet for the IBBA to provide updates by directly communicating with the membership. The claims made by advertisers in this publication are not verified by BPI or the IBBA. For subscriptions, contact Lori Edwards, ledwards@gobrangus.com, or 210.696.8231. Domestic periodicals (one year) $25; first class $55; foreign periodicals (one year) $25; air mail to Canada or Mexico $70; air mail to other countries $115.

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