BEEF PRODUCER
8870 US Highway 87E, San Antonio, TX 78263 • P.O. Box 809, Adkins, TX 78101 (210) 696-8231 • Fax (210) 696-8718 • info@gobrangus.com • gobrangus.com
P.O. Box 809, Adkins, Texas 78101 info@gobrangus.com • gobrangus.com
The Frontline Beef Producer (ISSN 0006-9132) is published by Brangus Publications, Inc. (BPI), as a segment of the Brangus Journal, 8870 US Highway 87 East, San Antonio, Texas, 78263, twice yearly in the spring and fall.
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IBBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Shiloh Hall, Oklahoma
1st Vice President Grady Green, Arkansas
2nd Vice President Josh Walker, Ph.D, Arkansas
IBBA STAFF
:: Executive Vice President :: Rick Cozzitorto :: rcozzitorto@gobrangus.com
:: Consultant :: Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D. :: dwilkes@gobrangus.com
:: Director of Field Services & Strategic Projects :: Kyle Caldwell :: kcaldwell@gobrangus.com
:: Director of Media & Marketing | Editor :: Jessie England :: jengland@gobrangus.com
:: Director of Shows & Youth Activities :: Lori Edwards :: ledwards@gobrangus.com
:: Director of Genomics & Research :: Macee Wagner :: mwagner@gobrangus.com
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CONTACTS
Secretary/Treasurer Jeremy Jackson, Arkansas
EAST REGION
:: Trey Cuevas :: treycuevas3@yahoo.com Purvis, Mississippi
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:: Controller :: Brian Sadovsky :: bsadovsky@gobrangus.com
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
:: Grady Green :: grady@dragginmranch.com El Dorado, Arkansas
IBBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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IBBA STAFF
:: Product Manager :: Andrew Sicotte Jr. ::
Executive Vice President
:: Software Developer :: Raul Ramos ::
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Information appearing in this issue may be reprinted only with written permission of Brangus Publications, Inc.
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FRONTLINE BEEF PRODUCER
A News Source for Commercial Beef Producers
1st Vice President Rob Singleton, Florida 2nd Vice President Shiloh Hall, Oklahoma
:: Jeremy Jackson :: jjackson101@gmail.com Purvis, Mississippi
Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D., dwilkes@gobrangus.com
Controller
Secretary/Treasurer Allen Goode, Texas
:: Rob Singleton :: singletons2002@yahoo.com Seville, Florida
East Region
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TEXAS REGION
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President Brenda Brull, Atchison, Kansas
1st Vice President Tina Gardner, China Spring, Texas
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:: Editor in Chief :: Jessie England :: editor@gobrangus.com
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:: Mary Douglass :: twoheartsbrangus@yahoo.com Seguin, Texas
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Jeremy Jackson, Gentry, Arkansas jjackson101@gmail.com
:: Joe Fuller :: jw.fuller@yahoo.com Willow City, Texas
Rob Singleton, Seville, Florida singletons2002@yahoo.com
:: Mike Weathers :: mikeweathers@msn.com Columbus, Texas
Texas Region
Mary Douglass, Seguin, Texas twoheartsbrangus@yahoo.com
2nd Vice President Ginger Pritchard, McLoud, Oklahoma
Secretary Mary Beth Farris, Tuscola, Texas
Treasurer Janet Greuel, Brooks, Georgia
Historian Jodi Jackson, Waco, Texas
:: Advertising Sales :: Kyle Caldwell :: kcaldwell@gobrangus.com
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FOUNDATION BOARD
President Brandon Belt, Gatesville, Texas
:: Awards :: Shiloh Hall, Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Andrew Sicotte Jr., asicotte@goregstr.com
:: Gary Adamek :: gary@fayettecountryhomes.com Schulenburg, Texas
Senior Software Developer
Marcel Vieira, mvieira@goregstr.com
Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas allen@triocattle.com
WEST REGION
Andrew Scamardo, Bryan, Texas scamardobrangus@gmail.com
Secretary/Treasurer Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D. Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas
Chris Heptinstall, Marianna, Florida
Tracy Holbert, College Station, Texas
:: Breed Improvement :: Josh Walker, Ph.D., Ben Lomond, Arkansas
Software Developer Raul Ramos, rramos@goregstr.com
BRANGUS PUBLICATIONS, INC. STAFF
Traci Middleton, Puryear, Tennessee
Cindy Blazek, Leona, Texas
:: Commercial Marketing :: Cody Glenn,West Point, Mississippi
David Wood, Magnolia, Mississippi
Nic Cornelison, Flat Rock, Alabama
INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR BRANGUS BOARD
Gary Adamek, Schulenburg, Texas gary@fayettecountryhomes.com
:: Shiloh Hall :: shiloh518@yahoo.com Okmulgee, Oklahoma
West Region
Advertising Sales, Melanie Fuller mfuller@gobrangus.com, 979-255-3343
Brangus Journal Publications, Inc. Editor
:: Matt Barton :: rangeroptics@gmail.com Stillwater, Oklahoma
Shiloh Hall, Okmulgee, Oklahoma shiloh518@yahoo.com
:: Finance :: Jeremy Jackson, Gentry, Arkansas
Jessie England | editor@gobrangus.com
IBBA COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
:: Warren Young, DVM :: wbydvm@hotmail.com Blanchard, Oklahoma
Greg Romans, Vale, Oregon romansbrangus@yahoo.com
AT-LARGE
Vern Suhn, Eureka, Kansas vern@geneplusbrangus.com
At-Large
2021-2022 IJBBA Board of Directors
President April Villarreal, Brookshire, Texas
:: International :: Garrett Thomas, Waxahachie, Texas
Awards Shiloh Hall, Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Breed Improvement Randy Schmidt, M.D., Texarkana, Texas
Ex-Officio Jacob Jones, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Queen Payge Dupre, Florida
Director Briana Hicks, Danbury, Texas
:: Long Range Planning :: Joe Fuller, Willow City, Texas
Commercial Marketing Cody Glenn, West Point, Mississippi
Finance Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas
:: Randy Schmidt, M.D. :: doctorrand@me.com Texarkana, Texas
Randy Schmidt, M.D., Texarkana, Texas doctorrand@me.com
Director Jaxon Allen, Haworth, Oklahoma
Director Samuel Belt, Gatesville, Texas
Director Tyler Towns, Bryan, Texas
:: Membership & Education :: Karen Adamek, Schulenberg, Texas
International Garrett Thomas, Waxahachie, Texas
:: Josh Walker, Ph.D. :: josh@redbudfarms.net Ben Lomond,Arkansas
Josh Walker, Ph.D., Ben Lomond, Arkansas | josh@redbudfarms.net
Long Range Plan Joe Fuller, Willow City, Texas
Director Jayden Pinkston, Shefner, Florida
Director Kaily Warren, Lufkin, Texas
:: Promotions :: Megan Greenwood, Plantersville, Texas
Membership Marty Lavender, Melrose, New Mexico
Promotion Lisa Neal, Morganza, Lousiana
Brangus
:: Show :: Mark Perry, Waco, Texas
Show Gina Gill, Beckville, Texas
IJBBA Advisory, Brandon Belt, Gatesville, Texas
:: IJBBA Advisory :: Brandon Belt, Gatesville, Texas
Cover photo by Kelsey Gibson, Town Creek Inside photos by Sarah Tisdel, Triangle K Ranch, Kelsey Gibson, Town Creek and Matt Roppolo
Fall ‘24
FEATURED
Fenco Farms
Fenco Farms has garnered national acclaim, as the 2024 Commercial Producer of the Year awarded by the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF).
Round 3, Brangus Value Project Update
About 4 years ago, IBBA decided it was time to put our genetic predictions of terminal growth and carcass traits to the ultimate test.
Update from the Field
IBBA Director of Field Services and Strategic Projects, Kyle Caldwell, talks about his latest travels and adventures while out and about with our Brangus breeders and industry professionals!
Getting the Most Out of Your Calf Crop
“Some cattle are better than others, so they sell for more money.” You don’t need an advanced degree to figure that one out. But why are they better? Is it genetics? Reputation? Health Protocols? Yes, yes and yes... and sometimes even more than that.
Value and Excellence for the Profit-Minded Producer
by Shiloh Hall, International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) President
As we focus on the commercial Brangus industry this month, I believe the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) website sums up the breed’s impact well.
“The gold standard female for commercial beef production is the crossbred cow. Realworld results from profit-driven producers prove that the crossbred female is not only the most productive, but also the most profitable female in the industry. The Brangus and Brangus-crossbred commercial female has long been valued for her maternal excellence by profitminded beef producers….Members of the IBBA are in the business of providing genetically-advanced breeding bulls to discriminating commercial cattle producers.”
For those reading this, we know that Brangus cattle are the superior cow of the South, boasting superb maternal traits and excellent heat tolerance. While we proudly claim that our cows are the queens of hotter climates, we also recognize their adaptability and versatility in various environments.
Over the past 20 years, we have significantly improved the Brangus cow, finally overcoming some of the stigmas that once discounted our cattle. Many commercial producers now realize they can use Brangus bulls on brangus-type cattle without facing a discount. By doing so, they can maintain carcass quality, manage ear and navel traits, and add heat tolerance.
The great thing about Brangus and Ultrablack cattle is that we have a bull type for every commercial buyer and region. While we’ve modernized our cattle to be more deep-bodied and docile, you can still find bulls with a bit more frame and a looser build that suit the preferences of some Southern commercial breeders.
What I’m most proud of is the recent findings from the Brangus Value Project, which show that our calves are grading 88% Choice or better with over half of the steers in the program achieve Premium Choice, meeting the same marbling standards required for Certified Angus Beef.
Our feed conversion advantage, highlighted in the same studies, is another reason Brangus bulls are
sought after. Our steers convert feed at a rate of 6.1 pounds of feed per pound of gain, verses comparable cattle which convert at 6.6 pounds. This saves half a pound of feed for each pound of weight gain and with 700 pounds of feedlot gain, with dry matter costing $300 per ton, this results in a $52 per head feed savings compared to similar cattle fed at the same time and location.
We know the value of Brangus and the industry is fully aware of it too. For our commercial Brangus sector, the IBBA has done a great job of creating valueadded programs that signal to buyers that they can buy these Brangus calves with confidence and create extra profit for sellers.
Brangus Vigor is a program that ensures that feedlot buyers who purchase Brangus Vigor feeder cattle are getting genuine Brangus genetics that are age/ source verified, genetic verified and health verified. Igenity® Brangus® is another tool in the toolbox as more commercial cattle producers are incorporating DNA profiling into their management programs. Testing up to 5,000 gene markers, the profiles use the superior prediction of our advanced genomic-sequencing technology, providing the greatest possible value available in commercial cattle profiles today.
With commercial-focused programs like these (plus others), results that matter from research through the Brangus Value Project, world class breeders in the business that are driven to be the best and IBBA championing every improvement and data driven decision we can make, the commercial Brangus industry is on course to dominate. If you are a commercial producer using registered Brangus or Ultra bulls from IBBA member breeders, please consider participating in a commercial-focused program through the IBBA and helping market your Brangus cattle in a way that drives extra profit.
If you were at the 75th Celebration for the Brangus breed in Fort Worth, Texas, last month, you most likely heard story after story about the power of the Brangus bull and female and the dedication our breeders have had the last seven plus decades. This breed was built and refined by breeders dedicated to producing the highest quality product and we can truly say that today, in 2024, we are continuing to put a product out there that the buyer loves. As we continue to advance and refine our Brangus cattle, I am confident that our association will remain a leader in the industry, providing superior cattle that meet the diverse needs of commercial producers.
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535F2 SONS:
by Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D., International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) V.P. Emeritus
Have you ever wondered where the term “cash cow” originated? I certainly have. I grew up in the cattle business and I can remember a lot of years when our family had plenty of cows but no cash. Can you relate to this?
Fortunately, and finally, the beef industry is in a position where cows really are cash cows. Market leverage has shifted in favor of the cow-calf producer and this will likely remain the case for the next several years. Experts like the folks at Cattle Fax project that the cowherd will expand more slowly than it did following the high-priced calves in 2013-14. In that cycle, the cowherd was re-built so quickly that calf prices fell nearly 50% from the peak over just a few years.
I personally think that cow-calf producers would be better served to beef up the QUALITY of cows rather than the QUANTITY of cows in their herds. At the very least, build up quality before you worry about re-stocking to the limits of your feed base. And, while different people have different notions of quality, a common sense definition of quality is a cow that is the most profitable today and produces a product that is in demand today and will be demanded in the future.
There have been times in the cattle business when the most profitable cow was the one that you could buy the cheapest. Those days are gone and they aren’t coming back. The beef industry – thank goodness – has moved past the notion that a “pound is a pound is a pound”. The old days of throwing 60 bushels of corn at a junk steer in a feedlot and
Ca$h Cow
dumping them on the packer at a commodity average price are fading quickly. Sure, there are still plenty of junk steers because there are still plenty of junk cowherds, but they do not fit with the quality revolution that is in full force in the U.S. beef industry. The day will come when these cattle qualify for the hamburger market and nothing more.
Rule #1 for a profitable cow is that her genetics fit her environment. In the “heat zone” of the U.S., a dose of Indicus genetics is essential to basic maternal productivity. This includes the gulf region, of course, but also includes the fescue belt and the western deserts.
With a dose of Indicus genetics, you also get heterosis – and you get a lot of it even with a relatively small dose because of the way that heterosis works. When you cross Bos indicus cattle with Bos taurus cattle you get about twice as much heterosis as you’d get crossing two Bos taurus breeds. Cattle breeders can debate the merits of different breeds until the cows come home but there is absolutely no debate that heterosis (especially maternal heterosis) dramatically improves productivity.
Heterosis, however, is not magic. The best analogy of heterosis is icing on a cake. If the ingredients that comprise the cake are inferior, it is going to taste bad irrespective of the icing. I suppose you could put icing on a cow pie, but it’s still a cow pie and is going to taste like it. Heterosis cannot make up for poor ingredients. Ingredients, in this case, are the parental breeds that are combined in the recipe. Whether because of fantastic vision, or pure luck, the founders of Brangus chose Angus as the foundation breed and then added just enough Brahman to provide
needed heat tolerance. Heterosis was the bonus, and a good amount of heterosis is retained through multiple generations of Brangus.
Maybe I should have started this essay by mentioning the two parts of a quality cow. There’s the cow part, and then there’s the beef part. The cow part is covered above. Brangus breeders started with the right ingredients and, 75 years later, driven by selection decisions made by a lot of talented breeders, we have arrived at a maternal masterpiece that really has no equal. A Brangus cow.
And then there’s the beef part. It is no longer good enough just to produce a pound of beef. It needs to be highquality beef. This is not just my opinion. A truly amazing statistic illustrates this. Would you believe that 100% of the gains in beef demand over the past decade can be attributed to the higher percentage of Choice and Choice-plus beef? It’s true. In other words, if the beef industry was still producing the quality grade mix that we were producing 15 years ago, we would not have seen the demand increase that we’ve enjoyed (translation: cattle would be cheaper). While overall beef demand has soared to new heights, the demand for Select grade beef has not budged. If that is not a crystal-clear message from the beef consumer, I don’t know what is.
Sometimes markets can be confusing. They go
up, down and sideways for reasons that are complex or not fully understood. If they always made sense, we’d all be like Warren Buffet. But in this case, the message from the marketplace could not possibly be clearer. At the risk of being obnoxious with redundancy, high quality beef is not an option. It is an absolute necessity.
There are far too many producers in the heat zones of this country who cling to the notion that this “quality thing” does not apply to them. They think they cannot be expected to produce the same level of quality beef that is produced in Nebraska, for example, because they must use Indicus genetics in order to have productive cows. Maybe there was some truth to that idea in the past, but not any longer. We have Brangus genetics that will grade 90% Choice or higher and will perform with the best cattle in the industry. Again, not my opinion. We have the data to prove it.
With a Brangus cow, you get a strong dose of retained heterosis which is vital to maternal productivity and longevity. You also get a solid-colored calf with a strong dose of Angus genetics that are favored by feeder cattle buyers. We call it the “easy button” and it really is just that.
Let a herd of Brangus or Ultra cows be your real cash cow. That’s what they’re built to do. GO BRANGUS!
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Replacement Females Part II
CATTLEFAX TRENDS
by Matthew McQuagge
The last issue of Trends examined considerations around the decision to raise versus buy replacement heifers. This article builds on that framework by evaluating the longer-term impacts of replacement heifers purchased at this stage in the cattle cycle. Increases in calf prices have surpassed rising input costs to result in an overall cow-calf sector profitability that is anticipated to average around $550/ head in 2024. With these price signals in place, the beef cattle industry is primed for cowherd expansion. However, forecasts for a reemergence of La Niña this fall will dictate the level to which heifer retention can occur.
Fluctuations within the cowherd can often be characterized by the relationship between bred female and calf prices. With a high degree of correlation between the two variables, deviations in the ratio can be used as leading indicators for trend changes within the cowherd. Over the past two years, sharp increases in calf prices have outpaced growth in bred female values. This indicates that bred females, even at current high values, are still reasonably priced relative to other livestock classes. Furthermore, when female prices do start to catch up, they will likely do so in a rapid manner that reduces their affordability relative to future earnings. With calf prices forecasted to continue trending higher over the next couple of years, it is expected that females will likewise become more expensive through the next several years before softening in the latter part of the decade as expansion-driven heifer demand slows.
These dynamics can be visualized through a comparison of bred heifer prices with estimated progeny values. In addition to future calf prices, this model incorporates bred heifer purchase and development expenses along with annual carry costs on a cash basis. While it ignores non-cash expenses such as unpaid labor and depreciation, this can be offset by the exclusion of a salvage value within the breakeven. Results indicate that, over the past 25 years, bred females require 4 to 5 calves (4.5 average) to cover their costs. Changes in the cattle cycle can be clearly noted here and illustrate the risks posed when calf prices start rolling over, as occurred in 2015.
2024 and 2025 should require approximately three calves to break even, reflecting a historically strong value proposition. Even heifers retained out of the 2024 calf crop, who won’t have their first calf until 2026, are still below the long-term average requiring approximately four calves to cover their purchase costs. Ultimately, this analysis suggests that the sooner females are purchased, the better off an operation will be in the long run, as opposed to procuring females deeper into the higher trending market. While the market incentives are there to retain heifers, feed and forage availability this fall and winter will be a challenge for many operations. Such operations, instead of being forced to wait another year to retain and develop a larger supply of heifers, might find opportunities to purchase bred heifers next year. This allows greater flexibility in coping with an unknown duration of the looming La Niña while also being able to take advantage of cyclically high margins. Conversely, operations that anticipate access to an abundant forage supply and/or inexpensive feed sources this winter should consider developing additional replacement heifers for sale purposes. As discussed in the previous Trends article, emphasis must be placed on highquality females that will benefit the industry as a whole in coming years.
$2,800 in late 2024 to have her first calf in 2025. Based on the long-term average from the chart above, this heifer is projected to have five calves before being culled in 2029 for $1,700. Calf values and cash cow costs are also replicated from the model above. Finally, an 8 percent discount rate is applied to the annual cash flow which represents the desired return on investment. This rate can be used as a barometer to compare against other investments or opportunities.
Given these assumptions, a $2,800 bred heifer returns a NPV of $1,795 in 2029. A positive NPV indicates that discounted future earnings are greater than the initial investment meaning the bred heifer returns the 8 percent target, and then some, and is a worthwhile investment. Further manipulation of this calculator indicates that, with current expectations, a producer can afford to pay up to $4,600 for a bred heifer in 2024 before she returns a negative NPV.
When considering adding females to an operation, it is important to recognize their value as a long-term asset. Net Present Value (NPV) is a tool that can evaluate the current value of a female and whether it is a solid investment based on market projections. NPV recognizes the time value of money following the principle that a dollar is worth more today than it is in the future. Thus, NPV tracks the initial investment (purchase cost) against future cash inflows, outflows, and salvage value across an expected useful life while incorporating a discount value. After the calculation is complete, the final value is theoretically in today’s dollar amount.
When calculating NPV for potential investments, several assumptions have to be made. The accompanying calculator assumes that a bred heifer was purchased for
Though expenses and revenues in the calculator can be debated, it’s important to be realistic on the average number of offspring that a female can produce before being culled. One less calf in the model results in a decrease of almost $400 in NPV which emphasizes the value of longevity in the cowherd. While this analysis is fairly simplistic in its design, many state extension services offer more detailed and individualized NPV calculators that are designed specifically for cow-calf operations.
With the calf market trending higher through the next couple of years, odds favor that females will continue to increase in price. Breakeven models and NPV calculators are just a few of the tools that can aid producers considering expansion. As weather patterns improve it is imperative to not let historically strong profit levels impact decisions regarding replacement females that will be in the herd for years to come.
the right way is the only way
BQA-certified cattle sold for a premium at video auctions. Visit BQA.org today to start and finish your Checkoff-funded BQA certification in as little as two hours and beef up your bottom line.
Source: Paul Beck, Oklahoma State University, “Factors Affecting Calf Prices in 2021-2022 from Superior Livestock Auction Data,” Drovers.com, March 30, 2023.
FENCO FARMS Detailed Record Keeping Leads to National Award
by Lindsay L. Allen
Fenco Farms has garnered national acclaim, as the 2024 Commercial Producer of the Year awarded by the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF). This prestigious accolade is a testament to the farm’s unwavering commitment to excellence, rooted in a deep-seated tradition of meticulous data collection and innovative herd management. At Fenco Farms, every decision is driven by a wealth of recorded data, enabling the farm to optimize breeding, health, and productivity practices.
Founded decades ago, Fenco Farms has grown from a modest family operation into a powerhouse of commercial Brangus production, combining traditional values with cutting-edge technology. The farm’s success is built on a foundation of continuous improvement, with a dedicated team that understands the critical role of data in driving progress. By tracking and analyzing every aspect of their herd’s performance, from birth weights to genetic traits, Fenco Farms has developed a robust system that enhances both animal welfare and economic efficiency.
Fenco Farms’ dedication to data-driven decisionmaking and forward-thinking strategies has set them apart in the competitive landscape of commercial cattle production.
Their story is one of relentless pursuit of excellence, where tradition and innovation coalesce to shape the future of the beef industry, solidifying their reputation as industry leaders and paving the way for continued success.
Located in central Florida and south Georgia, Fenco Farms is owned by Jim and Lynda Fenton. Jim is quick to share the spotlight and say the award is not about their farm, but “about what Brangus are doing for the industry.”
While Fenton has raised cattle his whole life, his primary focus in his early career was producing citrus. The success he sees today was built upon the knowledge and foundation he garnered from those early years. “You always have unusable land in the citrus business and we would fence that area off and run commercial cattle,” Fenton recalls, “I made a shift in the 1985 to start growing watermelons and strawberries, but was seeking something else to do with the land we once grew citrus on. I saw cattle as a fit and started developing my commercial cattle herd more in an effort to improve it and to put a beef product out there that we heard they wanted.”
It was when they were farming watermelon and strawberries that Fenton said he and his team developed
farming techniques that have supported their cattle operation as well. “We focus on farming and growing grass with just as much priority as we do our cattle,” Fenton continued, “About 12 years ago we decided we needed to better unify our herd to appeal to the buyers, so we began incorporating Brangus genetics. The heterosis offered by the Brangus bulls we were purchasing helped us solve a lot of problems we had with our herd in the early days.”
As they continued to appreciate the way their calves were performing, Fenco Farms kept buying more Brangus bulls.
“Our non-uniform herd became uniform with Brangus breedings over and over. Our favorite Brangus breeder was going out of business and we went to his sale and bought our own small herd of purebreds so we could develop our own bulls that we wanted for our commercial herd,” he continued, “Today we produce enough bulls to retain what we need and sell to other purebred breeders. We retain ownership on our calves and send them to Hurla Farms in Kansas for backgrounding and then to Hy-plains feedyard to be finished out and sold on the grid. Because of this, it is important that we have uniformity, growth, high yields and lots of marbling and the Brangus bulls help us achieve our goals.”
The June presentation of the national award from BIF to Fenco Farms is annually awarded to a producer to recognize their dedication to improving the beef industry at the commercial level.
Fenco Farms has made significant improvements in their own herd and the industry by tracking their herd individually, which includes 2,000-plus head of commercial Brangus cattle, 100 head of club calf cows and 300 registered Brangus cows, and DNA testing. This level of record keeping is maintained with their feeder cattle that are retained through the harvest, where they collect and analyze data at each step.
Darrell Wilkes, International Brangus Breeders Association Executive Vice President, said, “In a large-scale commercial operation, they rigorously apply the principles of genetic improvement and truly view genetics as a vital technology that is key to their success and long-term sustainability. Hand in glove with their application of genetic principles, Fenco Farms illustrates how detailed individual animal performance data can be gathered and used in a commercial setting.”
Fenton said, “If we want to stay in the business we have to use all this data and tracking and not just for our cows, but our grasses too. We are just as proud of the grass we farm as we are our cows.”
He explained that their chutes have scales and thus, their cattle are weighed every time they cross the chute.
“Every detail, medicine, vaccination, signs of limping or foot rot and more are recorded in addition to weights. If we see a swollen knee problem, we make a note of it and over
time if we see a problem and a history with a cow, we can make a decision based on our accumulated data. Our data plays a huge role with our matings too and ensuring we are producing a choice plus product with high yield,” Fenton stated.
He points out that the technology and resources to keep track of data on your herds isn’t always necessary for smaller herds. “The data is really nothing more than our grandfathers did with 100 head of cows. They knew how many calves each female had and how they developed, but the larger our herd gets, the harder it gets to keep all this
information in our heads,” he continued, “One thing about data is that you cannot make informed decisions until you have a lot of data. I personally think it takes five years of data to help you make decisions about your herd. Just like an exercise program, it is hard to find the initial momentum to start tracking and DNA testing your herd. It’s ok to start slow. We started by only pulling DNA on the heifers we were retaining, then once most of our cow herd had been DNA tested, we started testing steers so we could track them back to the dam and sire also. From there, we kept expanding to get where we are today.”
Fenton said this award has validated the work he and his team are doing and what the industry thinks is important. “It’s made us want to dig in deeper into the methods we are using and share them broader. It was humbling to receive this award and know we are headed in the direction the industry wants us to move towards,” he shared.
This family-run operation has long been committed to data recording and analysis, a practice that has propelled them to the forefront of the industry. By leveraging detailed insights into their herd’s performance and genetics, Fenco Farms has not only enhanced their operational efficiency but also set a new standard for commercial cattle production.
DESPERADO
By Tim Parks, D.V.M.
Five considerations to fuel fall-born calves’ health
The timing of calving seasons has tradeoffs, but fall calving is gaining in popularity in many parts. A University of Tennessee study compared 19 years of data from spring-calving and fallcalving herds, and it found the fall calving season to be more profitable than spring calving.1 The higher prices of steer and heifer calves captured by fall-born calves were able to cover the higher feed expenses and lighter weaning weights of the fall-born calves.
It’s important to weigh the pros and cons based on your situation, and keep in mind that managing fall calvers is different than spring calvers. From a health standpoint, here are five considerations.
1. Prepare for passive protection
While fall typically offers better weather conditions for calving, high temperatures can pose stress. Calves will likely have to endure fluctuating weather as fall turns to winter. Vaccinating cows prior to calving with a scours vaccine such as BOVILIS® GUARDIAN® will stimulate antibody production and result in higher-quality colostrum. Ensure adequate colostrum; calves need about two quarts of colostrum within four hours of birth and one gallon within 12 hours.2
2. Vaccinate early against viral and bacterial threats
An intranasal vaccine helps provide disease protection at a young age while also avoiding the potential risk of maternal antibody interference. BOVILIS® NASALGEN® 3-PMH is the first intranasal vaccine to protect against both viral and bacterial pneumonia. The modified-live vaccine protects against five of the major causes of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and can be given to calves as young as one week of age.
3. Don’t forget to deworm
Calves are highly susceptible to the detriments of parasites simply due to their lack of exposure. Internal parasites can decrease feed intake and impact immune function, including response to vaccination. Before turnout on winter pastures, deworm the cows and calves. Not all dewormers are created equal. SAFE-GUARD® (fenbendazole) offers several formulation options — all demonstrating a median efficacy above 99.7%.3
4. Preconditioning is worth it
A 2023 dataset from Superior Livestock Auction showed that VAC45 calves vaccinated with two doses of clostridial, two doses of five-way modified live virus and at least one dose of a Mannheimia haemolytica and/or Pasteurella multocida vaccine, and weaned at home for 45 days before delivery, added $7.86/ cwt compared to those receiving only one dose of vaccines and weaned at shipping.4 The calves also weighed more.
5. Fine-tune treatment protocols
Talk to your veterinarian to develop a plan to reduce disease incidence and severity. Knowledge of previous antibiotics used is important, as your veterinarian may choose a different class for this treatment. They may also recommend using a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to address fevers caused by BRD.
For more information, visit MAHCattle.com.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR SAFE-GUARD:
Tim Parks, D.V.M.
Technical Services Veterinarian Merck Animal Health
CATTLE: Do not use in beef calves less than 2 months old, dairy calves and veal calves. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves. Additionally, the following meat withdrawal and milk discard times apply: Safe-Guard/Panacur Suspension: Cattle must not be slaughtered within 8 days following last treatment. For dairy cattle, the milk discard time is 48 hours. Do not use in beef calves less than 2 months old, dairy calves and veal calves. A withdrawal period has not been established for this product in pre-ruminating calves. Do not use in dairy cattle at 10 mg/kg. Safe-Guard Paste: Cattle must not be slaughtered for 8 days. For dairy cattle, the milk discard time is 96 hours. Safe-Guard Suspension: Cattle must not be slaughtered for 8 days. For dairy cattle, the milk discard time is 48 hours. Safe-Guard ENPROAL Type C Medicated Block: Cattle must not be slaughtered for 11 days. For use in beef cattle only. Safe-Guard 20% Protein Type C Medicated Block: Cattle must not be slaughtered for 16 days. For use in beef cattle only. Safe-Guard Type A and other medicated feed products (pellets, cubes, free-choice mineral, or free-choice liquid): Cattle must not be slaughtered for 13 days. For dairy cattle, the milk discard time is 60 hours
1. Griffith, A.P., C.N. Boyer, G.W. Henry, J.A. Larson, S.A. Smith, and K.E. Lewis. 2017. “Fall Versus Spring Calving: Considerations and Profitability Comparison.” University of Tennessee Extension publication W 419.
2. Walz, T. The Importance of Colostrum to the Newborn Calf. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. March 1, 2019. https://beef.unl.edu/beefwatch/importance-colostrum-newborn-calf. Retrieved Feb. 6, 2024.
3. Merck Animal Health FECRT database with 14,506 samples from 600 farms; based on data through 2023.
4. Glynn T. Tonser. Dept. of Agricultural Economics. Kansas State University. Evaluation of 2023 Superior Livestock Auction data.
©2024 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. US-NAL-240700001
The color of unmatched protection against viral and bacterial pneumonia.
BOVILIS NASALGEN 3-PMH is the first and only intranasal vaccine that protects against IBR, BRSV, PI3 , Pasteurella multocida and Mannheimia haemolytica.
It’s safe to use in calves 1 week of age and older for a strong, healthy foundation. And a unique BluShadow® diluent means there’s no secondguessing which animals have been vaccinated.
vaccine line.
BRANGUS VALUE PROJECT
Update from the third round of the project
by Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D., International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) V.P. Emeritus
About 4 years ago, IBBA decided it was time to put our genetic predictions of terminal growth and carcass traits to the ultimate test. We selected a handful of heavily-used sires and mated them A.I. to a common set of commercial cows. The resulting steers were sent to a feedlot and ultimately to a packing plant. We refer to this as Round 1 of the Brangus Value Project. About 80 days after the steers from Round 1 were born, we bred another group of cows using another sampling of sires to produce steers for Round 2. Likewise for Round 3. As this paper is being written, the Round 4 steers are nursing their dams and the Round 5 steers are in the hopper.
The steers from Round 3 were harvested in June of 2024 and the results are presented in this paper.
Some might say that it was pretty gutsy to do this in such a “public” way. After all, isn’t it well known that indicusinfluenced cattle generally under-perform Bos Taurus cattle in the downstream segments of the industry? Aren’t eared cattle supposed to gain less rapidly, have lower dressing percent, have lower quality grade and lower overall carcass value than non-eared cattle? That’s what everyone seems to think. But we didn’t think it was true of modern Brangus, so we stuck our neck out. We announced to everyone that we were doing this, so we had no choice but to go public with the results.
We entered this project with some confidence. Anyone with an eye for cattle can tell by looking at a modern set of Brangus and Ultra bulls that they are just as deep, soggy
and thick-muscled as any set of top end bulls from up north. So, we weren’t too worried about their ability to GROW.
Next, we looked at our genetic trends for carcass traits based on ultrasound. It looked good too, both in terms of marbling and muscling. So, we had some confidence that they would not disappoint us in the packing plant.
As it has turned out, our confidence was not misplaced. Through Round 3, with 17 sires progeny-tested through this project and almost 300 steers harvested, our Brangus Value steers have out-gained and out-graded industry averages by a significant amount. In fact, as detailed below, our steers have outpaced basic commodity projections by a little more than $200 per head.
At this point, a skeptic might accuse us of cherrypicking the sires to basically guarantee a positive outcome. We could have done that, but we didn’t. We chose the sires that Brangus breeders had chosen over the past few years. We selected sires that had the most progeny registrations and met a few other basic criteria. We also had to use bulls from which the commercial cooperators wanted to keep daughters. These are bulls that Brangus breeders selected for use. Why did they select these bulls? Well, for all the reasons that breeders choose one sire over another – quality of daughters, phenotype, disposition, foot structure, EPD profile, etc, etc, etc. Sires rise to the top in any breed population for a lot of reasons. Generally, bulls rise to the top because they simply don’t have any “holes”. In a maternal breed like Brangus, a
pure “terminal” sire is not likely to see heavy use. In short, we did not cherry-pick the sires for terminal value.
Before we pour into the results, one more point deserves to be made. By using some of the most popular bulls in the breed, the genetic information gained from this project extends to many thousands of animals that are descendants of these bulls. As we fully integrate this information into our genetic evaluation, we simply add more confidence in the EPDs.
RESULTS
The results from Round 3 are presented below in summary form along with the results from Rounds 1 and 2.
*Based on shear force tests done at Texas Tech University
Evaluating the terminal performance of cattle is not all that complicated. It’s a lot simpler than creating a productive cow. The only things that matter to a feedlot are health, growth and carcass value. We compare our growth rate and feed efficiency to a southwest Kansas benchmark that is obtained from a firm that works with many feedlots and has data on thousands of cattle. We compare our cattle apples-to-apples with cattle that were placed on feed in the same region, at the same time, and of similar placement weight.
It is noted above that our steers have consistently outpaced commodity projections by about $200/hd. How did we derive that number? To understand it, you need to understand how feedlots work.
Feedlots have very sophisticated computer systems and they measure everything. They know exactly how much feed is delivered to each pen of cattle every day and, of course, they know the precise nutritional composition of the
ration. Based on the actual feed consumption for a specific pen of cattle, their computers estimate the average daily gain of the cattle in that pen. They use an estimate of average feed conversion based on data that they have accumulated over many years on literally millions of cattle. We call these “commodity projections” because that’s what they are. With all of this data, the feedlot estimates the cost of gain (COG) for each pen of cattle. Again, they don’t know exactly how much the cattle are gaining each day. They estimate that using commodity averages. As the feeding period draws to a close, the monthly statement from the feedlot shows the computer-estimated COG. In the chart below, this is presented as the “Projected COG”.
The actual COG can only be computed when the cattle are weighed on harvest day. In the chart below, the “Actual COG” is based on our total feedlot expenses divided by the total payweight gained by the steers.
Finally, as part of explaining the $200/hd advantage over commodity cattle projections, the finished steers are sold to the packer on a carcass merit formula (grid). We can then compare the gross sales price to the prevailing live price. If the cattle are better than average, they earn a premium on the grid. If they are below average, they earn a discount on the grid compared to the prevailing live price.
The table below compares the Brangus Value Project steers to commodity projections for feedlot performance and final value.
The performance premium was higher in Round 2 because corn was more expensive. It is logical that more efficient growth performance has even greater value when feed is more expensive.
As you evaluate the data in the chart above, do not misinterpret it. It does not mean that you are guaranteed to make a $216/hd profit by feeding top end Brangus and Ultra steers. If that was the case, I would partner with Elon Musk or Warren Buffett and we would feed all of them. What the numbers show is that these Brangus and Ultra steers beat the commodity averages by about $216/hd. Commodity averages are just that – averages based on years of data on millions of cattle.
Brangus breeders are rightly proud of these results. We will continue the Brangus Value Project and continue to gather more information on more sires. The data will be integrated into our genetic evaluation. We will continue to share this information with cattle buyers, feedlots, packers and especially with commercial cattle producers. Our message to commercial cow-calf producers is that you can reap the rewards of having a Brangus or Ultrablack cowherd while also producing feeder steers that dramatically exceed commodity average value.
Some closing thoughts that might get me in trouble. . . . because they challenge some myths.
If you take a trip to the Texas Panhandle and tour a few feedlots, you’ll see a lot of eared cattle on feed. In many cases, most stockmen would look at those cattle and would place a bet that they would under-perform a set of Angus or SimAngus steers in, say, Kansas or Nebraska. He would also bet that they’d have poorer quality grades and lighter muscling than their northern counterparts. And, on average, he’d be right.
There’s a belief in eared-cattle-country that we simply have a perception problem. I’ve heard it said a hundred times that “they pay a discount for eared feeder cattle only because they can”. This statement implies that the feeder cattle marketplace is not rational or, as an economist would say, it is not efficient which means that the market does not understand value. It also implies that there is a very sophisticated conspiracy among feeder cattle buyers to pay less for eared feeder cattle than they’re really worth simply because, well, they can
This is nonsense. First of all, the feeder cattle marketplace is as transparent and competitive as any market can be. Millions of feeder cattle are offered on the open cash market every year. Buyers compete at auction sales and the highest bidder gets the cattle. And the buyers are not fools. They are feedlots of all sizes who have every intention of feeding the cattle, selling to a packer, making a profit, and repeating it next year.
Now, let’s take these basic facts about the feeder cattle marketplace and try to square them with the notion
that eared feeders are discounted because they can be – not because they deserve it.
Let’s look at the $6/cwt discount on 7-weight “eared” feeders that is documented from the Superior Video sales over the past decade or so. To analyze this problem, I’ll borrow a thought from a famous German mathematician who said that you should always invert the problem. So, let’s invert it. When we invert the problem it poses the question: why would a rational cattle buyer pay a $6/cwt premium for non-eared feeder cattle when they aren’t really worth any more than eared feeder cattle? If he can buy eared feeders $6/ cwt cheaper, but they’re really worth the same amount as the non-eared cattle, isn’t that all he’d buy? Of course it is. And, he wouldn’t be the only one. Every other cattle buyer who knew this little “secret” would only bid on eared feeders too. And with a few hundred feeder cattle buyers bidding against each other on a daily basis in the feeder cattle market, how long do you think it would take for one of them to lose their discipline and bid up the eared cattle to a discount of only $5/ cwt? Once the conspiracy breaks down, and the secret is no longer a secret, the next bidder bids a $4/cwt discount, and by the time the gavel falls, there is no discount at all because, well, there never should have been a discount because its “only a perception problem”.
Can you see how ridiculous this is? There has not been a 5-decade conspiracy to discount eared feeder cattle when, it’s argued, they shouldn’t be discounted at all. Feeder cattle buyers apply a discount to eared cattle because they have learned over many years, after feeding literally tens of millions of them, that they can only make a profit feeding them if they buy them a little cheaper. This holds true on average, and the discount discussed above holds true on average. But, there are a number of top commercial Brangus producers who sell their steers for a premium because feedlots know the value of the cattle and they compete with one another to own them. There are offsetting groups of eared cattle that are discounted far more than $6/cwt. The discounts can reach $20/cwt or more. It’s about the quality of the cattle, it’s not about the ear.
Problems that have no clear solution are truly bothersome. But, problems that have an obvious solution should be solved. For producers running cows in the heat zones of this country, a Brangus or Ultra cow will outproduce a Bos Taurus cow, but you already know that. If you put top end Brangus and Ultra bulls on those cows, you can produce feeder cattle that won’t be discounted and, in fact, may well fetch a premium. If the entire heat zone of the country was filled with good Brangus cows mated to good Brangus and Ultra bulls, there would be no “ear discount”. The marketplace would figure it out very quickly.
UPDATE from the Field
by Kyle Caldwell, International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) Director of Field Services & Strategic Projects
In my travels I have the opportunity to see a lot of registered producers, but I have to say some of the most enjoyable visits are the ones with progressive commercial cattlemen. These producers tend to be brutally honest and will unabashedly tell you the good, the bad and the ugly of their hard-earned experience with different breeds, sire lines, cow families and customer service from different seedstock providers. The commercial cattleman is simultaneously a breed and breeder’s greatest advocate and harshest critic, which is why their experience and satisfaction is at the heart of any good seedstock provider’s breeding program. This past month I had the opportunity to see Brangus and Ultrablack cattle perform in some of the harshest environments possible and watch the first batch of Brangus Vigor calves sold on the Superior Livestock Auction video platform.
I made the trip again this year up to Winnemucca, Nevada for the Superior Livestock Video Royale Sale. This sale marked the first time a set of Brangus Vigor feeder calves were sold on the Superior video platform. For those that missed it, I had the chance to join Superior Sunrise on the same day the Brangus Vigor lots were selling to promote the new program and speak about the dual benefits: maternal and terminal, that Brangus brings to the table. The 200 head of Brangus Vigor steers sold on Superior were from Leto Farms in Letohatchee, Alabama out of commercial Brangus cows and sired by Brangus bulls. They sold very well, matching and in many cases beating the sale price of other southeastern calves without any indicus influence. A small part of this success can be attributed to the stringent criteria for the Brangus Vigor program (talked about in a later article on page 54) , but mostly due to the quality of the calves and strong program reputation Leto Farms is known for. Whatever the case, this time, the infamous “eared discount” was turned into a “BRANGUS PREMIUM.”
Once the Brangus Vigor steers had successfully sold, I headed out for some ranch visits. A few hours from
Winnemucca outside the small town of Battle Mountain
Dan Fillipini and his family run commercial cattle on about 300 square miles of desert range and mountains. One of the stories that stuck out to me was about the first Brangus bull he bought from Oak Creek Farms several years ago. For context, at many ranches in this area, often the next water source can be five or more miles away. The cow herd tends to follow patterns travelling from one water hole to the next, grazing on the limited desert forage in between. Problems relating to bull performance, be it foot issues, libido, survivability, or otherwise, are easily exposed. Their story goes that they turned this Brangus bull out with cows at a watering hole near their house. The next day they found the bull, still following cows, on the other side of their mountain range ten miles away. Later that week, they found the same Brangus bull, still breeding cows, on the opposite side of the ranch, and by the Fillipini’s calculations, that bull had travelled about forty-five miles in 4 days following his ladies.
The next stop that day was Paul Young outside the small mountain town of Austin, Nevada. Young has utilized Ultrablack bulls for some time now with remarkable success. We had a chance to see his next crop of Ultra-influenced replacement heifers and they were growing and holding condition very well. Young said the main differences he noticed between the Ultrablack females he’s retained over the years compared to straight commercial Angus cows lie in their longevity and demeanor. He likes that the Ultra cows seem to last several years longer than the Angus while doing a better job of protecting their calves and dragging a heavier calf to the weaning pen. He also mentioned, and I am paraphrasing, the Ultra-influenced cows are friendly enough to stick close by when he wants them to, but when it comes time to move them to the next section he can “kick ‘em in the butt” and they will move easily without much extra motivation; a major selling point for him, as he works and moves all cattle entirely on horseback. As we were finishing at Young’s, he gave me the contact information for the next stop: TS Ranch.
The TS Ranch is owned by Nevada Gold Mines and
encompasses several different ranches, but all in is slightly under a million acres. Over the phone, General Manager James Stewart mentioned that he was fairly new on the job and since his arrival had liquated their Beefmaster bull battery on one of their cowherds and replaced them with Angus bulls to stabilize the color palate of the replacement females and moderate frame size. However, he recognized the need for a touch of ear in the cowherd to keep them honest. I met Stewart at the Horseshoe Ranch Division headquarters outside of Beowawe (Buh-WOW-ee), Nevada and from there we drove to the herd previously covered by the Beefmaster bulls. We had a chance to sort through the cowherd and
noted the differences in condition of the commercial Angus females compared to the ones that obviously had a touch of indicus influence that were holding their body condition much better but were also a bit larger framed. The more we talked about his program goals it became apparent that Ultrablack bulls were going to fit his breeding objectives well. The only issue we ran in to was a lack of Brangus seedstock providers in the area for him to see some live bull exhibits… but we were in luck. Craig Green decided to take a chance and haul two Ultrablack bulls 27 hours from Rose Bud, Arkansas to Winnemucca to showcase all week in a live display at the Superior sale. Stewart agreed to go back to Winnemucca with me to look at the bulls; although I’m not sure if he went because I helped him repair a section of barbed wire fence and revive a cowboy’s heat exhausted dog (yellow Gatorade in a 60cc syringe and alcohol wipes applied to the foot pads did the trick), or if I was just that convincing –either way, it was a great time. He was extremely impressed with the bulls on display, and I hope to make this ranch a regular stop on my trips out west. The next week I was back in Fort Worth, Texas for the IBBA’s 75th Anniversary Celebration. We had a big time celebrating where the Brangus breed has been and where we are going, and to say it was a hit would be underselling it. Over 420 people from 21 states and 7 countries congregated to celebrate the occasion packed with industry-leading guest speakers, food, fun, and camaraderie. This event underscores the staying power of a breed known for creating top-end females and elite feeder cattle, both more than capable of boosting the bottom line of the commercial cattleman.
Next up on the travel schedule I will be heading out to the Florida’s Elite Commercial Female Sale in Okeechobee, another Genetic Merit Pricing Taskforce meeting in Kansas City, and finally the Southeast Brangus Breeders Showcase Sale in Dothan, Alabama held in conjunction with the National Peanut Festival. See you down the road! GO BRANGUS!
FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED IN PAXICO, KANSAS
Getting the Most Out of Your Calf Crop
by Kyle Caldwell, International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) Director of Field Services
Whether you are sitting in the stands at the local livestock market or watching video auctions online, it is easy to see that some lots of calves tend to sell higher than others, but why they bring more is not always so cut and dry. The big picture answer would be “Some cattle are better than others, so they sell for more money.” You don’t need an advanced degree to figure that one out. But why are they better? Is it genetics? Reputation? Health Protocols? Yes, yes and yes… and sometimes even more than that. Sale premiums tend to be inversely related to perceived risk from the buyer. Sale premiums go up when risk goes down, and unstated information related to preconditioning programs will be assumed nonexistent. So, the key question becomes, “How do commercial cattlemen decrease the risk profile of their calf crop?” Value-added programs are a great way to communicate information related to the management conditions of your calf crop. The hard part is determining how much value each brings to the table.
The list below is by no means comprehensive but can hopefully serve as a reference point when making decisions that fit your operation best and put more dollars back in your pocket.
Preconditioning Programs
First, let’s define what “Preconditioning” means. According to a University of Nebraska extension website, “a preconditioned program is a period of time, typically 45 days, in which a cow-calf producer will work to build the health status of the weaned calf prior to sale.” The vaccinations
Value Added Marketing
& Strategic Projects
required for these preconditioning programs will help prevent calves from contracting diseases that set them back in the grow yard or feedyard and weaning or “bunk breaking” calves prior to shipping eases the transition off mom’s milk and puts more pounds on their frame before selling, therefore adding value to both buyer and seller.
The Superior Livestock Auction website lists several options for preconditioning programs all with the base requirements of administering doses of 7-way, 8-way or 9-way Clostridials, viral 5-way, and Pasteurella vaccinations, some with and some without weaning requirements. Two of the most common programs are VAC45 and VAC60. Both have the same vaccination requirements: 2 doses 7-way, 8-way or 9-way Clostridial, 2 doses modified-live viral 5-way, 1 dose Pasteurella haemolytica and/or Pasteurella multocida. The only difference in these programs is VAC 45 requires a 45-day wean time before shipping, and VAC60 requires a 60-day wean time.
The Advantage of Using Implants
Some programs like all-natural prohibit the use of growth implants. If you do not adhere to programs like that, then implants are an easy way to add more pay weight to your calves for minimal extra time or money. According to a 1997 study from Oklahoma State University, when implanted around 2 months old, implanted calves weigh on average 23 pounds heavier than their non-implanted counterparts. Some 690-pound steers on the Brangus Vigor program recently sold on Superior for $265/cwt. I am not sure if these steers were
implanted or not, but 23 extra pounds at $2.66 per pound is an extra $61 per head return. That’s real money.
Other Opportunities to Add Value
Additional programs that don’t necessarily contribute to the health or weight gain of a calf but still increase your take home pay are programs like a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certification, age and source verification, using wellknown genetic suppliers, and feeder calf tag programs like Brangus Vigor.
The BQA certification provides continuing education to cattle producers through a free online course covering
topics like safe cattle handling, low stress management practices, and vaccination administration techniques. According to an NCBA study, calves sold on Superior from 2010 to 2017 carrying the BQA badge on average earned an extra $2.71/cwt. Age and source verification has been on the scene for some time now and doesn’t seem to be going away any time soon. This program requires a loading and tagging facility on your ranch to obtain a premise ID from your state veterinary office. As more and more consumers desire to know where their beef comes from, this will become more highly sought after. If your calves are sired by bulls you bought from a producer on the “Superior Progressive Genetics” list – a list of reputable seedstock providers recognized by Superior – that netted you an average of $20 per head more. Several IBBA members are on this list.
An easy way to package many of these programs together is to enroll qualifying calves into a premium commercial feeder calf tag program like Brangus Vigor. All cattle on the Brangus Vigor program will be sired by a registered Brangus or Ultrablack bull, age and source verified, weaned 60 days, with 2 rounds of 7-way, 8-way or 9-way and 2 rounds of viral 5-way, and will originate from a BQA certified producer. We recently sold our first batch of 200 Brangus Vigor calves from Leto Farms in Alabama on the Superior Livestock Auction platform where they sold for an average $8.60/cwt premium over other cattle of similar weight ranges from the same southeastern region of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi.
To Summarize…
If you are anything like me, you need a visual to summarize all this information. The chart on the next page is by no means a promotion for one specific brand of vaccine. I simply called my local veterinarian, told him the program requirements I needed to fulfill, and asked for recommendations and pricing. Your vet may recommend a different brand or quote another price and I encourage you to follow that recommendation. These calculations
were adapted from a Merck study analyzing 2023 Superior Livestock Auction reports on 898,500 calves weighing an average of 571 pounds with an average national price of $263.00/cwt.
of these high-demand Brangus Vigor calves, the value proposition will only become stronger.
I am no mathematician, but it looks like these programs pencil out. Particularly, enrolling cattle in the Brangus Vigor program allows you to capture premiums from VAC60 preconditioning, Age and Source verification, and BQA certification. We take care of all the paperwork for you and mail you custom Brangus Vigor EID ear tags to proudly advertise your commitment to adding value to your calves. This was our first rodeo selling calves on the Brangus Vigor program and we are more than pleased with the results. The premiums realized far outweigh any program costs required to attain them and as we sell more and more
In closing, adhering to program protocols like the one discussed above and investing in high quality genetics help your herd to build predictability and a strong reputation. No matter your herd size, if you choose to market calves through the sale barn, online, or direct to feedyard, these programs can make
a difference in your bottom line. While there is an inherent cost of entry to partake in these programs, when you put it all out on paper it becomes clear. Instead of asking “Can I afford to add these programs?” we really should be asking “Can I afford not to?”
For more information on the Brangus Vigor program please contact me at kcaldwell@gobrangus.com.
GO BRANGUS!
SPANISH RANCH
(940) 663-6143 drakeranch398@gmail.com www.drakeranch.com
2nd Saturday in March
3rd Tuesday in March 4th Saturday in April 4th Weekend in October 3rd Weekend in November
OUT WORK• OUT LAST
Bulls that help your bottom line.
Town Creek Farm bulls hold up, out-work, out-last and out-perform their peers. Fewer bulls to replace. Thirty years of developing proven bulls. They work!
√ Select your bulls from proven Brangus (selection of 1st gen 3/8-5/8 bulls) Ultrablacks, Vigor Max™ (Brahman x Angus half-blood), 3/4 Blood and Brahman Bulls.
√ Opportunity to buy bulls from a program that culls EVERY open female and EVERY female that doesn’t bring a calf to weaning pens.
√ Cattle fit the commercial world, backed by good cows behind our bull offering.
√ Maternal bulls develop superior replacement heifers that are fertile, long-lasting and have good udders.
√ Offering full two-year-old bulls.
√ Large selection of calving ease heifer bulls.
√ User-Friendly bulls.
√ Bulls are hard, ripped and toned; ready for breeding pastures.
√ Managed to be disease-free. ALL bulls are out of Johnes-free cows.
√ Environmentally adapted and acclimated bulls that withstand heat and humidity.
√ Longevity – of breeding bulls and of their daughters.
√ Fertility is our top priority. All other traits follow fertility.
√ Genetics developed and proven for more than 30 years.
Town Creek Farm Sale
Saturday, October 19, 2024 • 12 noon at the ranch near West Point, Mississippi
150 Brangus, VigorMax™ Half-Blood Bulls, and Ultrablack & Plus First Gen Brangus Bulls 250 Commercial Brangus Bred Heifers
Go to www.TownCreekFarm.com to request a sale catalog.
TOWN CREEK FARM
Milton Sundbeck, Owner
32476 Hwy. 50 East, West Point, Mississippi 39773-5207
Joy Reznicek Sundbeck (205)399-0221
Joy@TownCreekFarm.com Cody Glenn (601)508-8689 Cody@TownCreekFarm.com
Logan Perry, Florida, (863)634-4810 www.TownCreekFarm.com
334K3 SELLS BRANGUS
5441K4 SELLS BRANGUS
51K SELLS - FIRST GEN 3/8-5/8 BRANGUS
956K10 SELLS BRANGUS
584K SELLS BRANGUS
ADVERTISING INDEX
THE ONLY THING FREE IN THE CATTLE BUSINESS IS HETEROSIS AND WE ARE GOOD AT IT!
Brangus were created 75 years ago to blend two desirable breeds to create a new one. Unlike breeding value or EPD, Heterosis is not passed from generation to generation in a crossbreeding program without a loss in its level unless a stable breeding program is established (as has been done in Brangus and at OCF). Heterosis has the greatest effect on traits most affected by environment... adaptability, longevity, fertility, maternal ability,resistance to parasites and diseases, etc. OCF is widely known for their True Brangus and increased Heterosis allowing their genetics to perform better in most environments. Long-time customers and repeat buyers tell the real story at Oak Creek Farms
TRUE BRANGUS AT ITS BEST • DATA RESULTS IN!
Recent Harvest Data on 63 OCF Brangus steers and heifers: 92% Graded Choice or Higher • 18 Head Qualified for CAB
3.37 Avg. Daily Gain • $1.10 Cost of Gain • 6.2 Feed Conversion
63% Carcass Yield • 2.8 Avg. Yield Grade
May 2024 Canadian Feed Yard Harvest Data on 65 OCF Brangus Steers & Heifers 92.5% Graded Choice or Higher • 10 Head Qualified for CAB
SALE CONTACTS
John Kopycinski 979-251-2530
Consultants: Gary Bruns, 830-391-0766
Kent Smith, 979-540-8338
Charlie Tiner, 713-252-4662
Auctioneer: Troy Robinett, 817-995-7509
He Sells!
He Sells!