Fall 2019 FRONTLINE Beef Producer by International Brangus Breeders Association

A NEWS SOURCE FOR COMMERCIAL BEEF PRODUCERS

FALL 2019 VOLUME 11 ISSUE 2

PU BA LA CK R BY DE M AN

BEEF IT’S WHY WE RAISE THEM

™

Santa Rosa Ranch takes pride in the relationships we build with our customers and we appreciate the confidence our customers have in us. We stand behind everything that we sell and we appreciate the confidence you have in our goal to develop the best Brangus and Ultrablack cattle in the breed! We are proud to introduce our Once you become our customer, you will be enrolled and receive 5% off the sales price of any bull or female you purchase! There is no expiration to this program - as a loyal customer, you will always be eligible!

Contact Kent Smith at 979.540.8338 or email info@srrbrangus.com ♦ Available by Private Treaty only; not eligible in a production or consignment sale scenario. ♦ Discount is based on currently available price list and not in combination with other offers. ♦ Discount is not cumulative from year to year - it is 5% off of the current published price list for that buying season.

Santa Rosa Ranch Kent Smith, General Manager (979) 540-8338 | kent@srrbrangus.com Gerald Sullivan, Owner Kelley Sullivan, Owner

www.SRRBRANGUS.com

Crockett & Navasota, Texas •936-624-2333 • info@srrbrangus.com

FRONTLINE BEEF PRODUCER >> FALL 2019 Brangus Publications Inc. Editor and Layout/Art Director Jessie England Administration/Circulation Justine Voss Contributing Authors Darrell Wilkes, PhD. Robert Wells, Ph.D. Ryon Walker, Ph.D. Stephen Webb, Ph.D.

FRONTLINE Beef Producer is a product of:

Brangus Publications, Inc. P.O. Box 809, Adkins, TX 78101 Phone: (210) 696-8231 Fax: (210) 696-8718

Brangus Publications, Inc. Directors: Eddy Roberts, Chairman Darrell Wilkes, PhD., President Mike Weathers, Secretary/Treasurer Bill Davis, Director Chris Heptinstall, Director

Advertising Jessie England Melanie Fuller Operations Andrew Sicotte Macee Prause Codi Halbardier Lori Edwards Information appearing in this issue may be reprinted only with written permission of Brangus Publications, Inc. LPC Livestock Publications Council - Member

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THEY’RE BLACK AND THEY’VE HAD ALL THEIR SHOTS.............................................................. 6-10 WHAT I WANT IN THE PERFECT BEEF COW.................................................................................14-16 TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL WEANING AND PRECONDITIONING SEASON.................................20-24 THE COW PATTY NARRATIVE.........................................................................................................26-28 ANIMAL TECH THAT COULD HELP YOU MAKE DECISIONS ON THE RANCH ��32-40 TEETH CONDITION CAN REVEAL COW AGE AND AID IN CULLING DECISIONS ��44-46 SERVICE DIRECTORY.............................................................................................................................51 CALENDAR.............................................................................................................................................. 52 ADVERTISERS INDEX........................................................................................................................... 54

A NEWS SOURCE FOR COMMERCIAL BEEF PRODUCERS FALL 2017

NEVER MISS AN ISSUE! Visit page 51 to subscribe to FRONTLINE Beef Producer – your source for all things Brangus® cattle, and all they offer the commercial cattleman!

4 | FALL 2019

A NEWS SOURCE

CIAL BEEF

FOR COMMER

PRODUCERS

VOLUME 9

ISSUE 2

SPRING 2019 VOLUME 11 ISSUE 1 A NEWS SOURCE

FOR COMMER

CIAL BEEF

PRODUCERS SPRING 2018

VOLUME 10

ISSUE 1

IBBA << THEY’RE BLACK AND THEY’VE HAD THEIR SHOTS

They're Black AND THEY'VE HAD ALL THEIR SHOTS... by IBBA Executive Vice President Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D. The best business writer I’ve ever known told me that the key to business writing is to: • Use a title that gets people’s attention • Tell them what you’re going to cover • Cover it • Summarize what you covered. In this article I intend to make four points: 1. All cattle sold for the same price in the ‘good old days’. 2. Today, there’s as much as a $50/cwt spread in the price of same-weight calves. 3. In the future, the spread will be even larger. 4. The International Brangus Breeders Association wants to help you connect with value-added markets. The little town where I grew up boasts the largest auction barn in the state of Wyoming. It is the economic heartbeat of the town of about 6,000 people. As a kid, I spent untold hours at the salebarn trying to understand what makes the cattle market tick. The title of this article is, of course, a bit tongue-incheek. But, honestly, I’ve heard that exact proclamation from an auctioneer at least 500 times. “Hey, boys, here’s a set of black steers weighing 500. They’ve had all their shots. Let’s sell ’em.” I was always astounded at how accurate the auctioneer was when he would open the bidding on a set of calves. He would start the cattle within 3-4 cents per pound of where they’d sell. And, back in the good old days, they all sold for the same price – with a little adjustment for fill and a minor discount if there were a few runny noses. I thought the easiest job in town was the USDA Market News reporter who could, quite literally, watch the first 10 batches of calves sell and then go to the salebarn café and write the rest of his market report for the week. I did not really understand economics at the time, but it was clear to me that the market offered no incentive whatsoever for a producer to do anything better than average because he was going to get the same price no matter what he did. My family was in the registered Angus business and

sold bulls private treaty to commercial producers. Back in those days, yearling bulls were priced from $1,250 to $4,000 and we’d sell all of them to commercial ranchers in the area. The more I thought about the feeder cattle market that I observed at the salebarn, the more confused I became about our family’s bull business. So, I asked my dad why somebody would pay $4,000 for a bull when he could buy one for $1,250 and sell his calves for the same price in either case. His answer was simple and straightforward – “because some guys care and some guys don’t.” Over time, I learned that the guys who were buying the top end bulls were doing it to build better cow herds. They were weaning 550-lb calves when the other guys weaned below 500. They sold excess replacement quality heifers for a premium to other like-minded, quality-oriented producers. Some of the premium they paid for bulls was based solely on pride, but some of it was darn sure based on profitability. I started thinking that the market, while not totally rational, was ok after all, but then . . I began spending time in feedlots and again observed a dysfunctional market. In the mid-80’s, as a somewhat naïve scientist working for the National Cattlemen’s Association, I observed huge feedlots selling every pen of cattle for the same price – honestly, a 50-cent PER HUNDRED spread between a pen of top end steers and a pen of put-together junk cattle that didn’t deserve to breathe the same air as the good ones. They brought the same price, within $6-$7 PER HEAD! How could this happen? How can an industry possibly make progress when the marketplace does not differentiate between cattle with dramatic differences in true value? Where’s the incentive to breed good cattle and do everything else right? I concluded the incentives were not present and that the beef industry would forever be stuck in a rut so long as the market operated that way. I had just spent 5 years of my young life earning continue reading on page 8

6 | FALL 2019

IBBA << THEY’RE BLACK AND THEY’VE HAD THEIR SHOTS continued from page 6

Masters’ and Doctorate degrees in beef cattle genetics, and what I saw was an industry that paid no attention to genetic differences in value at the level of commercial calves and fed cattle. I was really discouraged and even thought about giving up on the beef industry and becoming an investment banker. I even started reading banking books. Well, I didn’t become an investment banker. I love the cattle and beef industry, so I was determined to stir things up in hopes of making a difference. Along with a few other mavericks, I began giving speeches, writing articles and generally raising cane about the irrational market. How could so many smart people, managing hundreds of millions of dollars in capital, continue doing stuff that made no economic sense? A lot of folks didn’t like the criticism and suggested to my boss that I should work elsewhere. He stuck with me and didn’t fire me for raising an issue that so clearly needed to be raised. What we were fussing about back then is now called VALUE-BASED MARKETING. All I did was stir the pot, so I can’t claim credit for the incredible revolution that has taken place since then. Those same smart people that I criticized earlier started doing things differently. They put a LOT of money at risk. They started selling fed cattle on a carcass grid where you only get paid for what’s hanging on the rail with quality factored in as well as weight. Guess what? Those two pens of cattle I described earlier in this article suddenly had dramatically different VALUE. At about the same time, computer systems in feedlots became much more complex, thus yielding much more useful information. Not only did the better cattle bring a lot higher price hanging on the rail, they also gained weight faster and a lot cheaper than the poor ones. The next shoe to fall, of course, was for feedlots to pay more for the good calves and less for the poor calves. That is called value-based marketing and I submit that we’ve barely seen the tip of the iceberg. My friend Pete Crow, Publisher of the Western Livestock Journal, recently reported his observations from one of the major summer 2019 video sales. Pete witnessed a $50/cwt price difference within class for 4-weight calves. Calves with the right genetics that were third-party verified for several programs and niche markets are the ones that topped the sale. Let’s see. $50/cwt on a 450-lb calf is about $225/hd difference in market value. If that seems extreme, I suggest you take a deep seat in the saddle because I think the spread will get bigger in the years ahead. What’s happening in the beef industry today is nothing short of a sea change. It is transformational. It is creating new upside potential for progressive producers who use quality genetics and do everything else right. To an extent, this is just the continuing evolution of a process that began 30 years ago. But it has been turbo-charged by two things: genetics and consumers. Please keep reading . . . . It might help to think of this incredible transformation in 4 chapters. In Chapter 1, feedlots started paying a bit more for calves that were better prepared to go to a feedlot

and remain healthy. There were premiums paid for preconditioned calves. In a few short years, the pre-conditioning programs became more specific and took on such labels as VAC-34, VAC-45, Select-VAC etc. In the early years, such cattle received a clear premium. As time went by and more calves were pre-conditioned with the established protocols, we heard some producers complaining that instead of getting a premium for pre-conditioned calves, they were getting a discount on calves that weren’t preconditioned. In plain English, what difference does it make? The simple fact is that pre-conditioned calves bring more money. The premium-vs-discount discussion becomes a chicken and egg argument that goes in circles. In summary, comprehensive vaccination protocols started to spread out the prices paid for calves. In Chapter 2, the concept of third-party validation of pre-conditioning programs came along. Feedlots were willing to pay premiums, but they wanted some assurance that the protocols had actually been done according to plan. At the same time, the third-party validators began offering other certification programs such as Natural, NonHormone-Treated (NHTC), Age and Source Verified, etc. These certifications opened the door to some niche programs where feedlots could pay an additional premium for calves because they had the opportunity for additional premiums on the other end from packers. This caused the price spread among calves to get a little wider. Chapter 3 is an extension of Chapter 2, but it includes some things that most cattlemen thought would never be part of our market. Consumers are voting with their dollars, and some consumers want assurance that the animals are raised humanely and that they are raised in a sustainable system that is environmentally friendly. They want to hear the story of where the cattle are raised, who cared for them, how they are transported, how they are fed, etc. Importantly, many consumers are willing to pay more (much more in some cases) for beef that has a story that appeals to them. These factors combine to spread the market out a bit more. If you’re keeping score, as we’ve moved from Chapter 1 to Chapter 3, the spread in prices paid for same-weight continue reading on page 10

8 | FALL 2019

This Pair Sells!

CX Dream Forever 844/D

CX Legends Dream 610/U1

This 3-year-old meat wagon sells!

Full Brother Sells ~ 610C3

CX Dream Forever 365/A

CX Meathouse 930/U

Progeny Sells!

These Heifers Sell!

This Pair Sells!

IBBA << THEY’RE BLACK AND THEY’VE HAD THEIR SHOTS continued from page 8

cattle has increased from a $2-$5/cwt spread for generic pre-conditioning to a spread that can exceed $40/cwt. Here’s comes Chapter 4, which I’ll describe as the genetics chapter. Chapter 4 is just getting started. It is best described as the difference between qualified genetics and quantified genetics, and I believe it has the potential to spread the market for feeder calves another $20/cwt or more. Qualified genetics is pretty basic, and frequently is not even breed specific. Most often, it is simply a breed type description such as “Continental cross”, or even something more basic such as “predominantly black”. In some cases, there is simply a limit on the percentage of certain breed types, with everything below the threshold being qualified. There are no parameters for specific genetic trait levels (such as minimum marbling or rib eye EPDs, for instance). A few years ago, my friends Lee Leachman and Tim Watts developed what they called a Genetic Merit Scorecard. Quite simply, the scorecard assigned a net $/cwt premium or discount that a certain set of cattle are “worth” based on their specific genetics. The scorecard has a few categories such as “growth efficiency” or “quality grade” or “yield”. A set of fast-growing cattle may get a score of +$5/cwt for growth, for instance. If they were expected to grade very well, they may get another +$5/cwt for grade, and maybe another +$3/cwt for yield (cutability). In this example, the final genetic merit score would be +$13, which means the calves are worth an additional $13/cwt above the average simply for their quantified genetic value. This would be in addition to any premiums the cattle earn for health protocols, natural, NHTC, humanely-raised or any other “program” features. The Leachman-Watts Genetic Merit Scorecard is based on a sophisticated mathematical model that factors in the EPDs of the bulls that have been placed in a herd over the prior 10-year period. It is a population approach, with no requirement for individual animal testing. The notion is based on the simple fact that 87.5% of the genes in a calf crop can be traced to the last three generations of sires placed in a herd. If that statement causes you to pause and scratch your head, just think about a single calf. Where did his genes come from? Well, 50% are from his sire. Twenty five percent are from his maternal grand sire, and 12.5% are from his maternal great grand sire. If one knows the marbling EPDs of those three sires, for example, it is not quantum physics to determine if the calf is above or below average for marbling genetics. This is an example of quantified genetics.

10 | FALL 2019

Other methods of quantifying the genetic makeup of individual calves utilize DNA sampling such as the Igentity Brangus DNA panel offered through IBBA. Such tests exist for virtually every relevant breed of beef cattle, and their use is expanding because feedlots seem willing to pay extra for cattle with quantified genetics, especially if they are feeding cattle for a specific consumer-branded program where the standards are tight (and usually high). One complaint I’ve heard from producers about feeder calf DNA testing is that the cost is just one more additional overhead cost of producing calves. This is where we need to get creative. There is more than one way to skin a cat. Consider testing your replacement heifers every year. Of course, their DNA will not change and so their test result is good for their entire 10-year life. Then, buy Brangus or Ultra bulls with genomically-enhanced EPDs. So now you know the genetics of the females and the genetics of the bulls. The rest is simple math. Now, I’ll state the obvious. If a producer does all the innovative things that are mentioned in this article, and then sneaks his calves into the local salebarn without telling anybody about them – just hoping that somebody will notice and appreciate his extra effort in the form of a higher price -- he is sure to be disappointed and will probably go back to commodity calf production because its cheaper and easier. The obvious statement here is that you have to MARKET the added value or there is no added value. The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) wants to help. IBBA is currently completing a Long Term Plan. One of the objectives is to boost demand (and price) for documented Brangus feeder calves. We will develop stronger relationships with feedlots, particularly those who are seeking “program” cattle for specific supply chains (i.e. value-added cattle). We also want to help those producers who do not have enough cattle to create full loads of samesex, similar-weight feeder calves by creating certified Brangus “calf pools”. Details of this are in the discussion stage. If you have thoughts on the subject, please contact us. In summary, the market for feeder cattle is splitting into a value-added market and a commodity market. As this evolution continues, the price spread between commodity cattle and “program” cattle will reach a level that most producers have never imagined. IBBA plans to help producers cash in on the added value of top end Brangus feeder calves. Please stay tuned.

EXPERT CONNECTION << WHAT I WANT IN THE PERFECT COW

What I Want in the...

Perfect Beef Cow by Ryon Walker, Ph.D. Livestock Consultant

ack in the early 1990s, headlines generated some interest in developing a “green cow.” This green cow was supposed to produce (synthesize) its own food, just like our green forages. I believe it had something to do with photosynthesis, using sunlight as energy. Theoretically, that would have significantly contributed to making the perfect cow: low input with high output. So, did science fail because there is no such thing as a green cow? To the contrary. Science has helped us understand how to identify best management practices that allow us to produce an efficient, sustainable product. However, management is only part of the equation. The animal and

the environment are the other parts. We can manage only as well as the cow and her offspring will allow us to. If we can produce a “perfect cow,” then we can more easily manage that cow. So what’s the perfect cow look like?

you are looking for through genetic selection, phenotypic evaluation, management and production measurements.

What a perfect beef cow looks like phenotypically depends on the eye of the beholder, but what she is capable of should result in the same goals. The perfect cow can possess all the traits

Not only do I want the perfect cow to possess certain traits, but I think some traits are more important than others. Here is how I rank these traits based on importance, as a percentage.

Fair enough?

WE CAN MANAGE ONLY AS WELL AS THE COW AND HER OFFSPRING WILL ALLOW US TO. IF WE CAN PRODUCE A “PERFECT COW,” THEN WE CAN MORE EASILY MANAGE THAT COW. continue reading on page 16

14 | FALL 2019

Town Creek Farm Bull Sale & Commercial Brangus Bred Heifer Sale AT THE RANCH NEAR WEST POINT, MISSISSIPPI

Saturday, October 19, 2019 • 12 noon 150 TOWN CREEK FARM BULLS Johnes-Free, Trich, BVD Tested.

Brangus, Ultrablack and VigorMax™ Half-Blood Bulls. Large selection of stout, FULL 2-year old bulls (DOB: Fall 2017). Powerful, practical, functional bulls developed on a high roughage, forage-based ration. Bulls guaranteed. Bulls sell guaranteed Johnes-free, BDV-PI and Trich tested. Large selection of user-friendly and calving ease bulls.

225 BRANGUS AND ULTRABLACK COMMERCIAL BRED HEIFERS Multi-generation, ranch and source verified second generation Town Creek Farm heifers bred back to Town Creek bulls. Fall and spring calving heifers sell. Reputation heifer sale in its 22nd year. THESE BULLS ALL SELL.

POWERFUL BULLS FROM A PROVEN PROGRAM g

4861E18 – Brangus bull. Full 2-year old.

145E6– Brangus bull. Full 2-year old.

06528E2 – Ultrablack bull. Full 2-year old.

45281E2 – Brangus bull. Full 2-year old.

453E4 – VigorMax™ bull. Full 2-year old.

630E – VigorMax™ bull. Full 2-year old.

Select from proven Vigor Max™ (Brahman x Angus), Brangus and Ultra black bulls. Keep your cowherd black and uniform in color. Buy bulls from a program that culls EVERY open female and EVERY female that doesn’t bring a calf to the weaning pens. Fertility is our top priority because we know it’s your top priority. Genetics developed and proven for more than 30 years.

g g g g

g g

Maternal bulls to develop superior replacement heifers that are fertile and longlasting with good udders. Calving ease heifer bulls included. Bulls are hard, ripped and ready. Managed to be disease free. Environmentally adapted and acclimated bulls that with stand heat and humidity. User Friendly bulls. Longevity – of bulls and their daughters.

LEFT: This first calf heifer sold in our 2018 sale as a bred heifer. Take a look at the power of genetics in this Town Creek Farm female with a Town Creek Farm calf at side.

REAL WORLD GENETICS FOR OUR REAL WORLD. Call or go to our website to request a sale catalog and to join our mailing list.

3 Quality Assurance always comes first. TOTAL COMMITMENT

Since 1993

TOWN CREEK FARM

Milton Sundbeck, Owner • Office 662.494.5944 32476 Hwy. 50 East, West Point, Mississippi 39773-5207 Joy Reznicek 205.399.0221 • Joy@TownCreekFarm.com Clint Ladner 662.812.8370 • Cladner@TownCreekFarm.com www.TownCreekFarm.com

These bulls sell. 15

2 EXPERT | NOBLE NEWS&VIEWS CONNECTION << WHAT I WANT IN THE PERFECT BEEF COW

RYON WALKER’S TOP PREFERRED RYON WALKER’S PREFERRED TRAITS TRAITS IN A continued from page 14

TOP IN A

BEEF COW

BEEF COW ONE ENVIRONMENT

FIT HER ENVIRONMENT.

DISPOSITION

35%

ONE ENVIROMENTHow the cow fits with FIT HER ENVIRONMENT. her environment is

theHow most trait theimportant cow fits with her for envi-me. This ronment is the most aimportant means she will deliver healthy calf every trait for me. This means she will year and maintain her body condition deliver a healthy calf every year throughout the year as she accomplishes and maintain her body conpct.that. Shethroughout will be more dition the efficient year as at forage she accomplishes Sheshe will likely be more utilization that. because has a lower efficient at forage because intake, canutilization metabolize andshe prioritize likely has a lower intake, can metabolize nutrients more efficiently. If a cow and prioritize nutrients more efficiently. If cannot a bodyacondition score (BCS) 5 a cow maintain cannot maintain body condition score (BCS) 5 throughout throughout the year,the thisyear, can this have negative can have negative impacts on fertility, impacts on fertility, milk production and milk production and health. health. TWOTWO FERTILITY FERTILITY MUST CALVE EVERY 365 365 MUST CALVE EVERY DAYS, NO EXCEPTIONS. DAYS, NO EXCEPTIONS.

2525%

In my mind, fertility is one In important my mind, fertility is one of the most of the most important traits traits in a female. However, the cow does not fit her in aiffemale. However, if the cow does not she she won’t her environment, won’t survive. pct.fit environment, survive. Because of this, I Because of From this, I an rank it second. From an rank it second. economic economic standpoint, however, standpoint, however, fertility ranks fertility the highest. ranks the highest.

• To deliver a healthy calf every year, the

• To deliver a healthy calf every year, must calve calve by by24 24months monthsofof age (in the cow cow must nonor low-percentage Brahman age (in non- or low-percentage Brah- crosses). man• crosses). Age and weight at puberty are moderately • Ageto and weight at puberty areBy modhighly heritable traits. selecting for erately to highly heritable traits. these traits in your replacement heifers, By selecting for these traits in your you increase their chances of reaching replacement heifers, you increase theirtheir chances reaching their target targetofcalving dates. calving dates. • This cow must calve every 365 days. No • This cow must calve every 365 days. exceptions. No exceptions. The average gestation period • The•average gestation period for for a cow a cow is approximately 283 days. is approximately 283 days. Based on what Based whatifwe if a cow we on know, a know, cow calves in adequate calves in adequate body condition body condition (BCS 5-6), she needs 60 (BCS 5-6), she needs 60 to 75 to 75 days after calving to begin days after calving to begin cycling cycling again andand have an an opportunity again have opportunitytoto become become pregnant naturally. pregnant naturally. • To meet that goal, she needs to • To meet thatthe goal, she conceive within first 30needs days to of conceive within the first 30 days of the the breeding season and calve in breeding the season first 30and dayscalve of the in calving the firstsea30 days of son.the If she calves at a lower body at a lower calving season. If she calves condition, her recovery period after bodyiscondition, her recovery period after calving longer, reducing the likecalving is longer, reducing the lihood of her conceiving early in likelihood the breeding season.

16 | FALL 2019

MATCH ENVIRONMENT

PRODUCTION

EFFICIENCY

of her conceiving early in the breeding season. THREE EFFICIENCY THREE EFFICIENCY BE EFFICIENT THROUGHOUT BE EFFICIENT THROUGHOUT HER PRODUCTION CYCLE. HER PRODUCTION CYCLE.

15 15%

This can be defined in many ways: as a single trait (reproductive, forThisproduces, can be etc.) defined in age, what she or she can bemany efficient in every stage ways: of production. I want a cow that what as a single trait (reproductive, forage, pct. can be efficient in all of the traits she produces, or she her canproducbe efficient listed above andetc.) throughout in every of production. want a cow tion cycle.stage I am looking for a cowIthat can: •that Wean greater can abecalf efficient in than all ofor theequal traitstolisted my average weaning weight. above and throughout her production • Be moderately framed and weigh less cycle. I am looking for a cow that can: than or equal to 1,300 pounds. a calf greater or equal to my •• Wean Maintain a BCS of a than 5 (± 0.5) throughout theweight. year. average weaning

• Be moderately framed and weigh less than or PRODUCTION equal to 1,300 pounds. FOUR •PROVIDE Maintain aTHE BCS of a 5 (± 0.5) throughout NUTRIENT the year. RESOURCES FOR HER OFFSPRING TO REACH THEIR FOUR PRODUCTION GENETIC POTENTIAL. PROVIDE THE NUTRIENT If the cow fits her environment RESOURCES FOR HER and calves when she needs to, OFFSPRING TO REACH THEIR that calf is likely your biggest GENETIC POTENTIAL. source of income. The cow must

provide sufficient resources for the calf to reach its genetic If the cow fits her potential. This not only includes the environment andbut calves genetic potential for this calf to grow, when needs nutrient to, that resources calf is likely your also theshe mother’s available during lactation and the conversion biggest source of income. The cow must of feed and forage resources (other than provide sufficient resources for the calf to from its mother) to protein prior to weanreach its factors geneticthat potential. Thisthe not only ing. Major can impact includespotential the genetic potential genetic of a calf are: for this calf •toLength season. grow, of butcalving also the mother’s nutrient • Mother’s milk production. resources available during lactation and • Forage resources. conversion ofconditions. feed and forage resources •the Environmental • Health.

15% pct.

FERTILITY

(other than from its mother) to protein prior to weaning. Major factors that can impact the genetic potential of a calf are: • Length of calving season. • Mother’s milk production. • Forage resources. • Environmental conditions. • Health

Remember, management and environment make up twoRemember, management and environment thirds of themake up two-thirdsThe of the equation. equation. The cow is the cow isone-third. the other other one-third.

FIVE DISPOTITION

MUST NOT BE CRAZY.

10%

FIVE DISPOSITION A cow’s disposition MUST NOT BE is CRAZY. becoming more

disposition becomimportant A ascow’s we find ourselvesisnot having more as we find the time toing deal withimportant poorly dispositioned ourselves not having the time to cattle. Because the average herd size in the deal with poorly dispositioned U.S. is approximately 40 head, many beef cattle. Because the average pct. havesize in the U.S. job is approxproducers herd a full-time outside head, beefmust producers of imately raising 40 cattle. So,many my cow not be have a full-time job outside of raising crazy. Research has shown us that poor cattle. So, my cow must not be crazy. disposition cattle causes stress, resulting Research in has shown us that poor discattle stress,inresultin position increasedinrisk forcauses reductions fertility in increased risk for as reductions in andinganimal performance well as higher fertility and animal performance as well susceptibility to sickness and disease. So, as higher susceptibility to sickness and culldisease. based on We do! So,disposition. cull based on disposition. We do!

association

OKLAHOMA BRANGUS FALL SALE

SATU RDAY , OCTOB ER 19 , 2019 | M CAL ESTER, OKLAHOMA

45 ULTRA BLACK AND BRANGUS B UL LS P LUS 35 O UTSTAN D I N G REGI STERED BRANG US F EMALES OF F ERING A S EL ECT S ET O F CO MMERC I AL FEMAL ES For more information or to request a catalog,please contact Sale Vice President Mike Vorel at vorelfarms@gmail.com or 405-826-6959 Videos available at Oklahoma Brangus Association website: www.okbrangus.org and at www.idealvideoproductions.com

L AW MA N T EMP LAT E 161F3 Suhnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tem p l at e x Ms LR O ptio n 161B Cur ve Ben d er - N o m i s s c ow F a mily

JG MR 220/F CLASSIC TITLE RCC Ti tl ei st 88A x W&WB Ms Cl assi c 220/WS Low BW, bi g footed, sound. Lots of red meat.

J G MR 3/ F BLA C K OP T I ON D D D Stock Op t i on 118C 8 x J G M iss 30 Bla ck Je t L ow B W, ex t r em el y d eep s ide d, e a sy f le shing w ith gre a t dispo siti on.

VOREL COWBOY UP 25F7 HA Cowboy Up x Vorel Ms 30T-25Z Maternal brother to Vorel Currency 25E8 & Vorel Abstract 2 5 E 9

PR K E Y S TON E 127F5 SF PR Key s t on e 909D6 x P R M s Bo ulde r 127D2 D e e p s i d ed , g ood d i s p os i t io n. P ro duc tive pe digre e .

VOREL AVIATOR 361F Musgrave Avi ator x Vorel Ms Abrahams 361Z7 Donor Dam, cal vi ng ease, maternal , carcass el i te UB gene tic s

18 | FALL 2019

YOUR JOB TAKES GRIT. Grit that a lot of people donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand.

WE DO.

A bold claim, we know.

But our business is run by a cattleman. Just like yours. So when we say we know cattle, we stand behind it. We believe in phone calls, answering questions, and working until the job gets done. Correctly. A finished print product to us, is how this view of the sunset is to you... Fullfillment.

THINK BIG. PRINT BIG. Don Denny | Cell: 806-789-7713, Office: 806-794-7752 | wwww.slategroup.com/cattle

EXPERT CONNECTION << TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL WEANING AND PRECONDITIONING SEASON

Tips for a successful weaning and preconditioning season By Robert Wells, Ph.D., livestock consultant

or those producers who have a defined spring calving season, weaning the calf crop is just around the corner. There is a sizable amount of data and literature that demonstrates preconditioning calves will return a greater profit back to the ranch than stripping and selling a bawling calf. Feedlot buyers are becoming more selective and are rewarding cattle producers with proper vaccination and preconditioning programs (or discounting those who don’t). The following tips are designed to help producers be more successful during the preconditioning phase of calf development.

PLAN EARLY.

This is especially warranted if you will need additional, off-farm help. Contact the people you will work with, including your veterinarian, early so you can pick the date you prefer to work calves. Additionally, some vaccines or medicine may become in shorter supply locally if you wait until closer to the time you and your neighbors start to wean calves.

STOCKPILE FORAGES IN THE WEANING TRAP/PASTURE. This will ensure

you have adequate quantity and quality of standing grass for the newly weaned calves to eat and bed in during the preconditioning phase. You will most likely have to start this process in August, but it’s not too late to allow the forages a chance to recover and grow now. This will also reduce the amount of dust the calves could inhale compared to a dry lot situation.

DEVELOP A MARKETING PLAN.

Know your marketing strategy by the time you get ready to wean the calves. Identify a branded program that you can affiliate with, such as the Integrity Beef Alliance (www.integritybeef.org), to help differentiate your calves from others being sold at the same time of year. If not affiliated with a third-party calf program, you will want to make sure there are other value-added calves being sold on the same day and market as your calves. Buyers need to be able to put together large gooseneck trailer and semitruck loads of same sex and similar type and weight calves.

If you deliver 50 head of mixed calves to the local market and are the only one who has value-added calves on that day, don’t expect to receive a premium for them. There is simply not enough to make a load for the buyer, and the calves will get mixed with other calves that have not received additional management. Remember that when the height of the fall weaning season is in full swing, markets typically will have a price drop when a large supply of calves move to market. Unless you see outside influences on prices, try not to get too wrapped up in the market decline at this time. Typically, prices will recover after the supply dwindles somewhat later in the fall/early winter. Preconditioning helps move your marketing to a better time of year with fewer calves going to market.

CONSIDER RISK PROTECTION OF THE CALF CROP. It may not be too late

to consider some sort of financial risk protection for the calf crop. Visit with a financial adviser who is familiar with agricultural commodity markets or an continue reading on page 22

20 | SPRING 2018

EXPERT CONNECTION << TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL WEANING AND PRECONDITIONING SEASON continued from page 20

agricultural economist to help make to shop for the best feed deals and parts for squeeze chute, etc.) on the decision of what, how and when best quality hay available in your hand to prevent the need to make to purchase risk protection. area. an unscheduled trip to town on working day. PROCURE FEED AND QUALITY HAY. Give CHECK SUPPLIES. Make sure vaccines, yourself time to buy and the feed even if recently purchased, are MOVE HERD CLOSER TO FACILITIES IN dealer time to deliver the feed not expired. Check the function ADVANCE. This will reduce the stress and hay that will be needed for of vaccine guns â&#x20AC;&#x201C; easy to use, no of hauling or driving cattle over the preconditioning phase of calf blow-by of product, clean and in far distances on weaning day. This development. Plan to feed the good repair. Check the squeeze affords you to have more time to highest quality hay to the calves you chute, gates and fences to ensure actually process the cattle. Working have while you have them caught up they are ready for cattle working calves through the chute in a slower, during the bawling-out period. They day. Do you have extra pins for ear more deliberate fashion will create will not be very interested in taggers and enough transfer and a less stressful environment for the spending a lot of time eating, so injection needles? It is always a calves and workers. what they do eat needs to be as good idea to have extra supplies (ear continue reading on page 24 nutritious as possible. tags and studs, vaccines, needles, Planning ahead also allows you time syringes, anthelmintics, rope,

22 | FALL 2019

EXPERT CONNECTION << TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL WEANING AND PRECONDITIONING SEASON continued from page 22

about prior to and during weaning to ensure a successful weaning season. The above tips are some of air-ride semitruck is less stressful on the more common issues I typically the calves than a bumper pull or see with producers on an annual gooseneck trailer, especially if your basis. Remember the old adage: trailer is equipped with a spring prior planning prevents poor suspension. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have enough performance. calves for a semitruck load, consider finding others in your area who also need trucking and share a truck. The cost of commercial transportation can easily be overcome when considering your time, wear and tear on your equipment, potential for breakdowns (trailer tire flats and blowouts are common occurrences), and shrink of calves from hauling in less-than-adequate equipment. There are numerous other considerations you should think

START AND FINISH AS EARLY IN THE DAY PLAN AND SCHEDULE TRANSPORTATION AS POSSIBLE. During September and OF THE CALVES TO MARKET. Using an October, the days can still get pretty warm. It is never a good idea to extend calf working into the heat of the day, especially if there is a high probability of temperatures above 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

FENCELINE WEAN THE CALVES.

If possible, fence line weaning is one of the lowest stress methods. Alternatively, or in addition to the fence line weaning, the use of nose flaps prior to the physical weaning process can reduce calf and cow stress as the calf will be weaned off the need/desire for milk. Nose flaps also help reduce the calf â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emotional dependence on the cow.

24 | FALL 2019

These sale bulls have been hand-selected out of a group of 150+ bulls for phenotype, structural soundness, fertility and maternal qualities. There is no fluff in our bulls...what you see is what you get. Under normal conditions, our bulls to go into the breeding season with ample body condition to maintain libido, motility and breeding effectiveness. They know how to hustle and are built to travel. All bulls are BLV and Johnes Free and will be BSE and Trich tested 30 days prior to the sale.

EXPERT CONNECTION << THE COW PATTY NARRATIVE

ring determines supplementation needs

ober,

THE COW PATTY NARRATIVE

levels of dietary protein and energy just a few (TDN) scoring listed. Manure determines supplementation needs way on the A manure score of 1 is of cream . With the soup consistency. It consultant can indicate a sick by Robert Wells, Ph.D., livestock n season animal or a highly digestible ration ges entering that contains excess protein, carbohyWinter a fewor pages away onand the calendar. With cy comes the is just drates minerals, low fiber. The photographs have been included with approximate the change in season and forages entering dormancy pay closer addition of hay will slow down the rate levels of dietary protein and energy (TDN) listed. comes the need to pay closer attention to your mentation of passage thicken thedomanure. continue reading on page 28 supplementation strategyand to ensure cows not lose o not lose body condition.Manure that will score a 2 doesn’t The perennial question of “How can you keep a cow stack; the pat is usually less than 1 Score 2: >20% CP; >68% TDN of diet from losing condition without overfeeding her?” can n of “How inch thick and will lack consistent be answered fairlyThis accurately by looking at the manure losing conform. manure has the consistency with other estimates such as g her?”pat. canWhenofcombined cakeand batter. Excess protein, carbopublished forage availabilityOriginally quality, a dietOctober can be2013 quickly tely by changed look- tohydrates andnutrient low fiber characterize meet the cow’s requirements rather hen comthe that produce this manure. than waiting fordiets body condition to fall low enough that will a change. scoring es such the as producer Rate ofnotice passage is veryManure high, and addcan indicate thehay quality of nutrition a cow hasithad in ality, a diet ing to this diet will slow down the past one to three days, while body condition score o meet the to allow for more absorption in the will indicate the nutritional history of the past several nts rather intestinal tract. weeks to months. Manure is scored on a 1 to 5 basis, ndition with to a score of 1Manure score 3 is5ideal will being very fluid and being and extremely roducer typically start to take a normal dry and segmented. The next few on paragraphs willpat Score 3: 12-15% CP; 62-70% TDN detail each score and associated diet quality. Reference ure scoring form. The consistency will be similar of diet f nutrition a to thick pancake batter. It will exhibit ne rgyto three a slight divot in the middle. The pat n score will will be deeper than a score 2 pat, but story m of the will not stack. This diet is not lacking nths. a sick nutritionally, yet is not in excess for 1 to 5 on the cow and her physiological stage. ng very bohyScore 4 manure is thick and startly dry and The ing to become somewhat deeper, yet paragraphs he rate is not stacking. The consistency of the associated ure. manure will be equivalent to peanut otographs esn’t butter. This manure indicates a lack of approximate 1 degradable protein, excess4 Score 5: <6% CP; <55% TDN of diet Score 2: >20% CP;rumen >68% TDN of diet nt stency Ag News and Views rbo-26 | FALL 2019

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EXPERT CONNECTION << THE COW PATTY NARRATIVE continued from page 26

A manure score of 1 is of cream soup consistency. It can indicate a sick animal or a highly digestible ration that contains excess protein, carbohydrates or minerals, and low fiber. The addition of hay will slow down the rate of passage and thicken the manure. Manure that will score a 2 doesn’t stack; the pat is usually less than 1 inch thick and will lack consistent form. This manure has the consistency of cake batter. Excess protein, carbohydrates and low fiber characterize the diets that produce this manure. Rate of passage is very high, and adding hay to this diet will slow it down to allow for more absorption in the intestinal tract. Manure score 3 is ideal and will typically start to take on a normal pat form. The consistency will be similar to thick pancake batter. It will exhibit a slight divot in the middle. The pat will be deeper than a score 2 pat, but will not stack. This diet is not lacking nutritionally, yet is not in excess for the cow and her physiological stage. Score 4 manure is thick and starting to become somewhat deeper, yet is not stacking. The consistency of the manure will be equivalent to peanut butter. This

manure indicates a lack of degradable rumen protein, excess low quality fiber or not enough carbohydrates in the diet. Supplementation of additional protein with high rumen-degradable protein can increase total diet digestibility. Cottonseed meal and soybean meal are excellent sources of this type of protein. The highest and least desirable score is 5. This manure is firm and stacks over 2 inches in height. It will also have clearly defined segments and is very dry. This manure indicates the cow is eating a poor quality forage diet that is inadequate for protein and carbohydrates, and high in low quality fiber. Rate of passage has slowed down to the point that excess water has been reabsorbed in the intestines. The rancher will need to consider additional supplementation to meet the cow’s protein and energy requirements. Cattle have to be in good health for manure scoring to be accurate. Manure scoring is a valuable tool to determine the quality of nutrition the cow has recently consumed and can be used effectively to adjust supplementation to prevent loss of body condition.

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EXPERT CONNECTION << ANIMAL TECH THAT COULD HELP YOU MAKE DECISIONS ON THE RANCH

Animal Tech That Could Help You Make Decisions on the Ranch By Stephen Webb, Ph.D. Technology has many definitions and means something different to all people depending on their needs. Technology is: A manner of accomplishing a task using technical processes, methods and/or knowledge. Creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society and environment. Knowledge and utilization of tools, techniques and systems in order to serve a bigger purpose, like solving problems or making life easier or better. In the latter definition, there is mention of tools, which could be a form of technology. Consider Aldo Leopold’s five tools of game management (published in 1933): axe, cow, plow, fire and gun. Those tools aren’t what we would think of as technology, but they did help solve problems, accomplish tasks and meet the needs of the manager. We’ve come a long way since that time. Skip forward 60-plus years, and terms like “precision agriculture” are now commonplace. Precision agriculture gained momentum with the development and use of global positioning system (GPS) technology. Now, there’s a new kid on the block. It’s called precision livestock farming;

it isn’t a thing of the future, it is already upon us. Precision livestock farming relies on animal technology, which is the technical means to collect, analyze and interpret a wide range of metrics on animals for the purpose of research, production, management or well-being. The term now being used for most animal technologies and sensors is “wearable technology.” Wearable technology has become critically important for monitoring animal health. The correct sensors and technologies, when coupled with data analytics and communication, can provide real-time information and diagnoses of animals. Sensors and wearable technologies can be deployed, fitted or implanted on animals to measure body temperature or mass, observe behavior and movement, detect stress, analyze sound, monitor health, and many other things. The development of animal-based technologies began with individual cow identification, which started as visual ear tags then progressed to electronic identification (EID) tags, making EID tags one of the oldest wearable technologies. EID tags incorporate many different technologies, but most are passive tags, meaning they require another device (for example,

a wand, data logger, tablet, etc.) to read the identification number and/ or information from the tag. The next type of tracking devices are much more accurate but much more costly and used primarily for research purposes. Global positioning system (GPS) collars are actually receivers that receive signals from satellites to aid in positioning, navigation and timing. If you have a smartphone, it likely is GPS-enabled so you don’t get lost. GPS collars are a standard technology for the study of wildlife but also are deployed on livestock, mostly beef cattle. GPS collars can help collect information on activity, behavior, bedding/ resting locations, habitat use, grazing site preference, migration, energy expenditure and more. Despite the relatively high price tag of GPS collars, there are new systems being developed to control grazing of livestock. These new systems are known as virtual fences and require precise positioning from GPS collars to keep animals inside an invisible fence. Having an invisible fence and a collar to condition animals using sound and/or mild electric shocks to stay within a designated area negates the need for physical fences, which are costly and require maintenance. The application of virtual fences is still continue reading on page 34

32 | FALL 2019

2EXPERT | NOBLE NEWS&VIEWS CONNECTION << ANIMAL TECH THAT COULD HELP YOU MAKE DECISIONS ON THE RANCH continued from page 32

THERE ARE THREE MAJOR CLASSES OF EID TAGS: Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are likely the most common. RFID tags use low frequency radio waves, which only allows the tags to be read from a short distance.

Ultrahigh frequency (UHF) tags provide a longer read range, typically within lineof-sight, and they operate the same way as RFID tags.

Bluetooth is likely the next generation of ear tag. Bluetooth is a wireless technology that uses short wavelength UHF radio waves, so read distance can be up to 100 yards, but with recent developments, the read range may reach 1 mile or more. This technology could leverage existing Bluetooth capabilities within smartphones, something that many of us carry on a daily basis, to serve as the collection device.

The term now being used for most animal technologies andwith sensors is “wearable in its infancy a few companies technology.” Wearable technology has leading the way, and the future become critically important for monitoring of this technology is unknown until more animal health. The correct sensors and technologies, withisdata analytics testingwhen andcoupled validation done. and communication, can provide real-time information and diagnoses of animals. Sensors and wearable technologies can be deployed, fitted or implanted on animals to measure body temperature or mass, observe behavior Taking physical measurements of and movement, detect stress, analyze sound, monitoranimals health, and things. practice hasmany beenother a standard

PHYSICAL MEASUREMENTS OF ANIMALS

Despite the relatively high price tag of GPS collars, there are new systems are beingran developed to Typically, livestock through control grazing of livestock. These new systems chutes collect body but this are known as to virtual fences and weight, require precise is done atGPS irregular orkeep longanimals intervals. positioning from collars to insideTo an invisible Having an invisible start fence. understanding individual fenceanimals and a collarand to condition using their animals feed efficiency, sound and/or mild electric shocks to stay within new systems havethe been developed a designated area negates need for physicalto take body weight more maintenance. frequently. fences, which are costly and require The application of virtual fences is still in its These systems include GrowSafe infancy with a fewFeed companies the way, Systems and leading GrowSafe Beef and the future of this technology is unknown until in pen weighing technology and the more testing and validation is done.

for assessing health, growth and Tru-Test walk-over-weighing (WOW) TRACKING INDIVIDUAL ANIMALS success of management programs. PHYSICAL The development of animal-based technologies MEASUREMENTS platform and system, which collect The individual following technologieswhich apply OF ANIMALS began with cow identification, body weight multiple times per day started more as visualto ear tags then progressed domestic animals than Takingand physical measurements of into animals attribute the data a has unique to electronic identification a standard practice for assessing health, wildlife because (EID) theytags, are easier to been animal based on an EID tag. making EID tags one of the oldest wearable success of management programs. herd and work. However, when growth and technologies. EID tags incorporate many Justtechnologies like taking our own The following apply more to body wildlife are captured, these methods domestic different technologies, but most are passive animals thantaking wildlife the because they temperature, temperature tags, meaning theyan require another device provide enormous amount of are easier to herd and work. However, when of animals can provide an indicator (for example, a wand, data logger, are captured, these methods provide information about the tablet, animal itself wildlife of theiramount well-being. Change in the body etc.) to read the identification number and/or an enormous of information about and the environment in which it lives. information from the tag. temperature is one in ofwhich theit lives. first animal itself and the environment most frequently The nextThe typetwo of tracking devices arecollected much The two most of frequently collected pieces of symptoms a body fighting an illness, more accurate butinformation much more costly and weight information are body weight and temperature, pieces of are body an indicator of health. Collecting an used primarily for research purposes. just these two measurements, a wealth and temperature, and, Global with just and, with animal’sis waiting temperature can be done positioning system (GPS) collars are actually of information to be unlocked. Collecting these two measurements, a wealth of receivers that receive signals from satellites to traditional such as using bodyby weight is standardmeans for any production information is waiting be unlocked. aid in positioning, navigation andto timing. If you operation or for research, especially when a rectal thermometer, but,linked with have a smartphone, likely weight is GPS-enabled so Collecting itbody is standard to other data such astechnology, age, reproductive statussuch or advances in devices you don’t lost. GPS collars are a standard variables. Typically, livestock are forget any production operation or for environmental as a rumen bolus e-pill, muscular technology for the study of wildlife but also are chutes to collector body weight, but research, especially when linked to ran through deployed on livestock, mostly beef cattle. GPS tympanic (ear) this isthermosensors, done at irregular oror long intervals. To start or other data such as age, on reproductive collars can help collect information activity, understanding individual animals andsensors their feedcan under-skin temperature behavior, bedding/resting locations, habitat status or environmental variables. efficiency, new systems have been developed to use, grazing site preference, migration, energy expenditure and more.

34 | FALL 2019

take body weight more frequently. These systems Storycontinue continues on next page reading on page 36

WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY

Wearable technology is the use of sensors and technologies fitted on animals, and combined with data analysis and communication, to provide real-time information and diagnoses on animal health, status and well-being.

PRECISION AGRICULTURE

Precision agriculture is the use of new technologies coupled with GPS to increase yield, productivity and profitability while decreasing inputs (e.g., herbicide, fertilizer, water, etc.) through targeted application, resulting in greater economic returns and increased sustainability. Produce more with less.

PRECISION LIVESTOCK FARMING

Precision livestock farming relies on animal technology and the use of realtime automated processes to collect, analyze and interpret a wide range of metrics on individual animals for making management decisions, reducing economic losses, and increasing overall animal health and productivity.

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EXPERT << ANIMAL TECH THAT COULD HELP YOU MAKE DECISIONS ON THE RANCH 3 | CONNECTION AGNEWS&VIEWS continued from page 34

provide automatic data collection. includeexample, GrowSafe Systems Feed andbolus GrowSafe For a rumen is Beef in pen weighing technology and the Tru-Test swallowed by an animal, then sits walk-over-weighing (WOW) platform and system, whichthe collect body weight multiple times per day in reticulum and transmits and attribute the data into a unique animal based data to a receiving unit using lower on an EID tag. power radio frequencies. rumen Just like taking our own bodyA temperature, taking the temperature animals can provide bolus may also be of able to measure an indicator of their well-being. Change in heart rate, respiration, rumination body temperature is one of the first symptoms or rumen pH,anbut many of these of a body fighting illness, an indicator of health. Collectingare an animal’s temperature can applications still being tested. be done by traditional means such as using Some applications of monitoring a rectal thermometer, but, with advances in body temperature include assessing technology, devices such as a rumen bolus or e-pill, muscular thermosensors, or tympanic heat stress or energy expenditure (ear) or under-skin temperature sensors can and predicting when an animal is in provide automatic data collection. For example, heat. a rumen bolus is swallowed by an animal, then If sits one in the wants reticulumto and“look” transmits data inside to a receiving unit using lower power radio an animal, then ultrasound or frequencies. A rumen bolus may also be able sonograms and offer to measure heart rate,stethoscopes respiration, rumination or rumen pH, buttechniques, many of these applications noninvasive and both are still being tested. Some applications methods offer portability whether of monitoring body temperature include working in stress the field or chute-side. assessing heat or energy expenditure and predicting when an is in heat. Ultrasound hasanimal been used on If one wants to “look” inside an animal, then animals to assess pregnancy, tumors, ultrasound or sonograms and stethoscopes fat body condition. A offerthickness noninvasive or techniques, and both methods offer portability working in stethoscope can be whether an invaluable Story continues on next page tool in the right hands and when placed strategically on the animal. Stethoscopes are used to listen to continue reading on page 38

36 | FALL 2019

HOW THE GROWSAFE SYSTEM WORKS STEP ONE DATA CAPTURE

STEP TWO DATA ANALYSIS

STEP THREE DECISION SUPPORT

GrowSafe’s measurement technology non-invasively captures millions of data points each day from feed intake and behavior to body weight and watering behavior.

The data collected is processed and interpreted in the GrowSafe Cloud, delivering advanced insights and predictions.

GrowSafe’s predictive analytics and modeling software take business intelligence beyond the dashboard.

TRU-TEST WALK-OVER-WEIGHING PLATFORM

Tru-Test offers a walk-over-weighing platform and weigh scale that can be developed into a real-time data stream for collecting weight of cattle. The major components consist of the livestock scale and platform, electronic ear tag identification panels, and the associated data acquisition and recording instruments. Noble Research Institute researchers combined all components to a mobile platform (to enable greater portability), developed a solar-powered system and added wireless transmission capabilities. In the field, the system is deployed at a water source by using portable livestock fencing structures to ensure livestock walk across the scale and in close proximity to the ear identification panels. When an animal crosses the platform, the system records the animal’s unique EID tag and weight by pasture, which is then sent wirelessly to a centralized master radio unit and data-logging software that retrieves, logs and writes the information to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

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EXPERT CONNECTION << ANIMAL TECH THAT COULD HELP YOU MAKE DECISIONS ON THE RANCH continued from page 36

the lungs as a way to monitor for respiratory diseases. For example, bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a major cause of economic losses in cattle. When a stethoscope is combined with body temperature, a more complete health assessment of the animal is accomplished.

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR Many of the technologies used to study animal behavior were developed out of necessity by wildlife researchers who have a difficult time obtaining animals for study. Many of these technologies were adopted from other disciplines as well. Accelerometers, which measure acceleration or velocity of travel, and magnetometers, which measure heading, are gaining in popularity. These are the exercise trackers of the animal world. The sensors provide very frequent data collection with minimal power allowing users to assess activity, movement, behavior, health, feeding, estrus, calving, etc. Outside of research, such as in a production setting, users are not interested in the data itself but the relationships between the data and a behavior of interest; this is determined through research, validation and sometimes machine learning. Video cameras are not new but their application for animal monitoring or study is increasing. It is often difficult to sit in the field to collect data on animals because continue reading on page 40

38 | FALL 2019

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Semen & Embryo Sales • AI & ET Equipment Sales • Semen & Embryo Warehousing • AI/Palpation Clinics AI Consulting & Sire Selection • Professional Exporting • TruTest Scales 39

EXPERT CONNECTION << ANIMAL TECH THAT COULD HELP YOU MAKE DECISIONS ON THE RANCH continued from page 38

of many constraints and logistical issues. Collecting video of animal behavior, feeding, social interactions, etc., provides a permanent record of the event and allows the user to collect a broad range of data in the comfort of an office or home. Often, video cameras on animals are used to validate behavior from accelerometers and to study feeding habits such as forage selection, bite counts and cud chewing.

REMOTE COLLECTION OF ANIMAL DATA There also lies many opportunities to collect data from animals using remote technology. A few of these technologies include the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and systems (UAS), acoustic monitors, and imaging or photography. Although a stethoscope allows one to hear, it does not provide continuous or real-time

monitoring; a few systems, such as a rumen microphone or rumination monitor, can do this very thing. Acoustic monitors, known as bioacoustics, and remote cameras are used to collect sounds or images from wildlife surveys. When coupled with artificial intelligence to automatically identify species, a wealth of information can be provided about wildlife presence as it relates to their environment. The use of UAVs and UASs may be able to provide the tools to count or inventory animals remotely or to take photographs of animals to track development. For example, photographs of animals allow researchers to link photographic measurements of animals to known characteristics such as age, size or weight after research and development of prediction or adjustment factors are estimated. Thermal imaging may also hold promise for detecting heat stress or illness in animals. Thermal imaging cameras can be deployed on a UAV or hand-held thermal imaging cameras can be used, but they often require associated software.

THE FUTURE The future is now. Technology is developing at an astonishing rate, especially for military and industry needs. The development and adoption of technology for agriculture or animals has lagged behind. However, it is predicted that technology developed specifically for agriculture will increase 2.5 times by 2025. It is very likely that mobile or smart devices will play a critical role. Other opportunities to expand technology to agriculture and animal operations include the miniaturization of devices and development of low-power or solar-powered devices. To have the greatest impact, the data collected from these devices will need to undergo well-designed research and validation that leverages artificial intelligence, machine learning and cloud computing to process the data into a usable format so users can make sound decisions.

40 | FALL 2019

EXPERT CONNECTION << TEETH CONDITION CAN REVEAL COW AGE AND AID IN CULLING DECISIONS

Teeth Condition can reveal cow age LIVESTOCK and aid in culling decisions

pastures may have exaggerated tooth teeth. Worn teeth may still be present wear and be younger than dentition but worn down to the gumline, hence indicates. the term gummer. Once cows become older than In summary, cow dentition can By Robert Wells, Ph.D., livestock consultant 10 years, years of age are typically be used to estimate a cow’s age, but As fall approaches, should start to importantly think replaced with generalproducers terms such more it can be used to about which cows will be culled after they wean theirif she is capable of biting as short and solid, broke-mouthed, determine calves. Many considerations must go into deciding or smooth-mouthed (gummer). The and chewing forage efficiently for whether a cow stays in the herd for another year. Some terms are defined as follows. Short another year of life on the ranch. If of the most typical are: disposition, physical structure, and solid means there is significant a cowgeneral does not have the dentition body condition, udder condition and structure, amount of wear to the cow’s incito efficiently health, and age. However in many herds, the age of harvest forage, she will sors but they arequestionable all still present and have a difficult time maintaining body the cow may be or outright unknown. In solidly attached the mandible. condition. Cows that have missing or order to maintaintocondition in a pasture setting without Broken-mouthed a cow is feed, extremely worn teeth are candidates copious amounts indicates of supplemental a cow must have a full thatteeth. have The not beento worn down missing oneset of of theteeth incisor leave the breeding herd and be too much. Using dentition, or the condition and wear, smooth-mouthed description indireplaced by younger females. < of the cow’s teeth can be a useful tool to determine if cates the cow has lost or completely the cow should stay in the herd for another year. worn down most if not all of her

Table 1. Age of cow based on dentition. Actual age

Teeth present

Other comments

Less than 2 years old

Only baby “milk” teeth present

2 years old

Two permanent incisors present

Will be the middle two incisor teeth; called pincers

3 years old

Four permanent incisors Called first intermediate; one on each side of present pincers

4 years old

Six permanent incisors present

Called second intermediate

5 years old

Eight permanent incisors present

Called corner incisors

Older than 6 years old

All teeth present

Age based on tooth wear, separation and visibility of tooth root.

About 12 years old

Some may be missing

Arch in mouth has disappeared and teeth become triangular with extremely noticeable wear.

continue reading on page 46

44 | FALL 2019

EXPERT CONNECTION << TEETH CONDITION CAN REVEAL COW AGE AND AID IN CULLING DECISIONS continued from page 44

The age of younger cows can be closely estimated by the number of permanent incisors present on the lower front jaw (See Table 1). The difficulty in aging a cow comes when looking at middle aged (6- to 10-year-old) cows. Rather than the number of permanent incisors that have erupted, tooth wear and degree of separation between teeth is the indicator of age in older cows. In general, a heifer younger than 18 months will only have her temporary milk or “baby” teeth. The teeth will often be loosely set in the jaw. By 18 months of age, there will be space between each tooth so that one will not touch the next. At 18 months to 2 years of age, the heifer will lose her center two milk teeth, which will be replaced with the first of the permanent incisors, called pincers. The pincers will be the middle two teeth on the front lower jaw. Then every following year, she will lose the next set of teeth beside the last permanent tooth that has erupted on each side until she reaches 5 years of age when the corner incisors fill in. From 6 years old and on, age is determined by tooth wear, separation between teeth or disappearance of teeth. The degree of wear on the biting or grinding surface of teeth will be used as an approximation of age. However, care must be used as the type of forages consumed and grazing intensity (how closely to the ground the cow must eat) will affect the

46 | FALL 2019

amount of apparent tooth wear. Cows grazing in sandy or rocky pastures may have exaggerated tooth wear and be younger than dentition indicates. Once cows become older than 10 years, years of age are typically replaced with general terms such as short and solid, broke-mouthed, or smooth-mouthed (gummer). The terms are defined as follows. Short and solid means there is significant amount of wear to the cow’s incisors but they are all still present and solidly attached to the mandible. Brokenmouthed indicates a cow is missing one of the incisor teeth. The smooth-mouthed description indicates the cow has lost or completely worn down most if not all of her teeth. Worn teeth may still be present but worn down to the gumline, hence the term gummer. In summary, cow dentition can be used to estimate a cow’s age, but more importantly it can be used to determine if she is capable of biting and chewing forage efficiently for another year of life on the ranch. If a cow does not have the dentition to efficiently harvest forage, she will have a difficult time maintaining body condition. Cows that have missing or extremely worn teeth are candidates to leave the breeding herd and be replaced by younger females.

48 | FALL 2019

Ranching chose you. When it comes to running your cattle operation, you do things the right way. BQA is here to help with the training and certification to build your cattle business. Get after it at BQA.org.

50 | SPRING 2018

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CALENDAR

UPCOMING EVENTS <<

SEPTEMBER 2019

2 13-14 14 21 21 27-28 28

IBBA Office Closed: Labor Day IBBA Fall Meeting, Branson, MO Miller Brangus Field Day, Waynesboro, TN Don Thomas & Sons Cadillac of Brangus Sale, Madison, MO MidSouth Cattle Company Annual Bull Sale, Francisville, LA IBBA Fall Meeting, Lubbock, TX Southeast Brangus Breeders Association Showcase Sale, Brundidge, AL

OCTOBER 2019

8-9 12 12 12 13 18 19 19 19 24 24-25 26 26

Telpara Hills Guns & Roses Sale, Rockhampton, Queensland Addison Brangus Farms Performance Sale, Cullman, AL Building Your Tomorrow at Big D Ranch, Center Ridge, AR Cox Excalibur CX Advantage Sale, Weimar, TX Tajo Ranch Open House, Waller, TX L.G. Herndon Farms Best of the South Open House & Private Treaty Sale, Lyons, GA Doguet’s Diamond D Ranch Annual Production Sale, Poteet, TX Oklahoma Brangus Association Sale, McAlester, OK Town Creek Farm Bull Sale & Commercial Female Sale, West Point, MS Martin-Bruni Cattle 6th Annual Fall Sale, San Saba, TX IBBA Fall Meeting, College Station, TX Oak Creek Farms Forage Developed Brangus Bull Sale, Chappell Hill, TX Miller Brangus Production Sale, Waynesboro, TN

NOVEMBER 2019

1-2 4 8-9 8-9 9 15-16 15-16 28

GENETRUST @ Chimney Rock Cattle Company, Concord, AR The Branch Ranch’s Rough & Ready Ranch Raised Brangus Bull Sale, Mansfield, LA 16th Annual Briggs Bull & Commercial Female Sale, Bloomington, TX Blackwater Cattle Company Genomic Extravaganza, Lake Park, GA 44th Hill Country Brangus Bull & Female Sale, San Angelo, TX GENETRUST @ Cavender Ranches, Jacksonville, TX Salacoa Valley Farms Bull & Female Sale, Fairmount, GA Spanish Ranch Fall Angus & Brangus Invitational Bull Sale, Dinuba, CA

DECEMBER 2019

Williams Ranch Company Brangus Bull Sale, Bastrop, TX

SEND YOUR IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES TOJESSIE ENGLAND AT JENGLAND@GOBRANGUS.COM. FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE LIST OF UPCOMING EVENTS, VISIT GOBRANGUS.COM/EVENTS. 52 | FALL 2019

EPDs as of 7/08/2019

4 1.1 35 66 6.0 23 0.7 4 .58 .34 -.05

Hollywood Of Salacoa 23A53 Ms Salacoa Atlanta 30B5

New Vision Of Salacoa 209Y2 Ms SVF Patton 23Y66 Atlanta Of Salacoa 488Z Ms Brinks Unitas 30T94

REG: R10367402

CED BW WW YW MILK TM SC CEM REA IMF FAT

Broadway offers a unique tandem of phenotype and numerical superiority, providing nine EPD traits in the top third of the breed.

The maternal quality behind Broadway is incredible. His dam, grandam and maternal sisters have topped sales and they embody the look of a Brangus female with pretty udders, good feet and built-in longevity.

progressive breeders as one of the special young herd sire prospects in the Brangus population.

STgen.com

DOB : 9/4/2017 As the top seller in the 2018 Salacoa Valley Farms sale, Broadway was appreciated by many

866.589.1708 Beef@STgen.com

From: T3 Brangus, MS and Salacoa Valley Farms, GA

551BN01507

ADVERTISERS INDEX <<

ADVERTISERS INDEX

Addison Brangus Farms ��5 American Marketing Services ��5,7,23,29,33,47,49 Big D Ranch ��11 Blackwater Cattle Co. �� 42-43 Bovine Elite, LLC �� 39,41,51 Briggs Ranches ��29 Brinks Brangus @ Westall Ranches ��37 Cavender Ranches ��27 Chimney Rock Cattle Co. ��30-31 Clark Cattle Services �� 51 Cox Excalibur Brangus ��9 Doguet Diamond D Ranch �� 12-13 Don Thomas & Sons ��7 Dotson, Wes �� 51 DVAuction �� IFC,5,7,9,11,17 Elgin Breeding Services, LLC �� 51 Farris Ranching Company ��40 Fenco Farms ��47,49 GENETRUST ��27,30-31 GKB Cattle ��45 Hi Point Sales + Marketing ��IFC,11,12-13,24 Hill Country Brangus Breeders ��24 L.G. Herndon, Jr. Farms, Inc. �� 21 L.W. Hudgins Brangus �� 41 Lack-Morrison ��38 Lambert, Doak �� 51 Mid South Cattle Company ��IFC Miller Brangus ��33 Mix 30 ��46 Mobley, Luke �� 51 NCBA Beef Quality Assurance ��50 Neal Family Brangus ��IFC Oak Creek Farms ��BC Oakley, Lakin �� 51 Oklahoma Brangus Association �� 17 Quail Valley Farms ��47 Reagan, Terry �� 51 Salacoa Valley Farms ��23 Santa Rosa Ranch ��3 Silveus Insurance ��48 Slate Group ��18 Spanish Ranch ��28 ST Genetics ��53 T3 Brangus ��53 The Branch Ranch ��25 The Oaks Farms ��49 Town Creek Farms �� 15 Westway Feed Products ��IBC Williams Ranch Co. ��35 BC: Back Cover, IBC: Inside Back Cover, IFC: Inside Front Cover

54 | FALL 2019