American Red Polls - 2023 Fall Journal

J JACKSON FARMS J

PROUD TO HAVE RAISEDEITHER THE GRAND CHAMPION OR THE RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BULL AT THE NATIONAL RED POLL SHOW IN 10 OF THE LAST 16 YEARS. LOOK NOFURTHERFOR SUPERIOR FULLBLOOD RED POLL GENETICS

CONGRATULATIONSTO MALCOLM RAY FOR WINNING GRAND CHAMPION HEIFER AND TO ANDREA WEAVER FOR WINNING RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION HEIFER AND CHAMPION SHOWMANAT THE 2023 JUNIOR PREVIEW SHOW WITH JF HEIFERS.

HERD SIRE: SHUTER’S FREEDOM JR HERD SIRES: JF GUNS N ROSES & ESQUIRE’S TOP GUN

WE HAVEJUST A FEW 2022 BULLSSTILL AVAILABLESIREDBY SHUTER’S FREEDOM AND PARKSTYLE BENTLEY ONE IS PLANNEDTO BE ENTERED IN THE NATIONAL SALE

FIVE GENERATIONS SETTINGTHE DIRECTION SINCE 1947.

CHR PARTICIPANT -VISITORS WELCOME

REGISTERED FULLBLOOD BULLS & FEMALES FOR SALE

LOOKFOR OUR CONSIGNMENTS IN THE 2023 NATIONAL SALE. MAKE PLANSTO COME TO MARTIN, TN ON OCT 13 AND 14.

JIM JACKSON, Owner 2904 N WASHINGTON ROAD GREENS FORK, IN 47345 765-586-0198 jjackson@tdsdrive.com

JOE JACKSON, Manager 4398 S 300 E WARREN IN 46792 260-519-5286 bandj.clublambs@gmail.com

TERESA JACKSON, Farm Address 2131 N WASHINGTON ROAD GREENS FORK, IN 47345 765-914-1298 jackson.bill.teresa@gmail.com

JIM JACKSON

ARPA EXECUTIVE SECRETARY AND REGISTRAR

PHONE: 765-425-4515

EMAIL: AMERICANREDPOLLS@GMAIL.COM

MAIL: 2904 N WASHINGTON RD GREENS FORK, IN 47345

Be sure to visit our website: americanredpolls.com

If you have provided your email and are not receiving emails from ARPA, please be sure and check your Spam and Junk folders regularly. Also add both “info@americanredpolls.com” and “americanredpolls@gmail.com” to your contact list to help prevent the emails from going into these folders.

Indiana Red Poll Association

Table of Contents

Page 7

Page 8

Page 9

2023 ARPA Fees

Quality Hay - Part 3

Homestead Creamery

Remember When

Page 11 Junior Preview Results

Page 13

Farm and Ranch

Page 14 Junior Spotlight

Page 14 First Time Purchasers

Page 15

Page 16

Page 19

National Meeting and Sale

How to Contribute

Upcoming events

2022-2023 Committees

Bylaws:

Jim Jackson - Chairman, Dan Schmiesing, Chet Miller

Finance:

Edsel Belyew - Chairman, Brant Sanders, Chet Miller

Junior Asscociation and Junior Preview:

Teresa Jackson - Junior Advisor, Brian Shuter, Willard Gardner, Becky Ebersole

Membership:

Chet Miller - Chairman, Brent Raines

National Meeting and Sale:

Chairman TBD based on location selected, Joe Jackson

National Show:

Jim Jackson - Chairman, Becky Ebersole, Brent Raines

Nominations:

John Rager - Chairman, Chet Miller

Performance:

Brian Fairchild - Chairman, Trevor McClurkin

Publications:

Phil Wyrick, Regan Logan

jeffriessalesmarketing@gmail.com

Cover photo provided by: Regan Logan

President’s Message

Greetings from Kentucky. Summer has once again flown by and we are setting our sights on another fall and winter seasons. Here’s hoping that the rains came at the right time, harvests were bountiful and you have been able to capitalize on your marketing strategies.

I look forward to meeting with many breeders at the National Meeting and Sale in Martin, TN on October 12 – 14, 2023. The Southern States Association has put together a great opportunity to exchange ideas and cattle. Whether you are looking to add to your herd or not, I would hope you would make plans to attend and provide input for the future of the Red Poll Association. Active participation in any group is needed. ARPA needs you to help set the course for future growth and actions.

Shout out to the Junior Preview Show in Jefferson City, MO. We were treated to an outstanding facility at Lincoln University, George Washington Carver Farm. In addition, LU was gracious to make the costs next to nothing! The Lindhart and Gardner families, our hosts for the event, had it well planned out. As her last event as the ARPA Jr Advisor, Ms Teresa Jackson had a wonderful banquet with awards for the kids and the silent auction. While the numbers of kids and cattle were smaller than years past, the memories will be long lasting for the participants. Thank you Ms Teresa for your years of service to the kids. You will be a tough act to follow!

Your Board of Directors is here to serve you. Please reach out to us with suggestions, concerns, or opportunities. The more voices we here, the better decisions can be made.

Blessings, Chet Miller

Email: chetmiller4867@gmail.com Cell: (502)321-6001

ARPABoardof Directors

Terms expire 2023

Chet Miller, President 4867 Buck Creek Rd

Finchville, KY 40022 502-321-6001

Chet.miller@voestalpine.com

Edsel Belyew

3986 Sulpur Creek Rd

Big Sandy, TN 38221 731-693-9706

redpoll53@gmail.com

Brian Fairchild

4394 Berkley Dr Everton, AR 72633 870-754-9377

Carpenter.bkfairchild@gmail.com

Terms expire 2024

John Rager 6942 W 1000 N Roann, IN 46974 260-578-6745

john.b.rager@icloud.com

Joe Jackson 4398 S 300 E Warren, IN 46792 260-519-5286

bandj.clublambs@gmail.com

Brent Raines

2228 McKaig Rd Troy, OH 45373 937-339-3213

stonebrookfarm@gmail.com

Terms expire 2025 Brant Sanders, Vice President 220 W Hollis St Waynesboro, TN 38485 931-676-7392

brantsanders94@gmail.com

Phyl Wyrick 11001 Alexander Rd Mabelvale, AR 72103 501-517-2534

bjwyrick@comcast.net

Willard Gardner 11415 Scrivner Rd

Russellville, MO 65074 573-782-3536

gardne65913@gmail.com

Quality Hay - How Sweet it is, Part 3

I shared some of my hay-making experiences with you in previous articles, writing about using nitrogen fertilizer, commonly known as urea, on hay fields. Many hay producers really want to know - is it worth it? To answer that question, we must measure the quantity and quality of the harvest.

As noted previously, last year my first cutting off-farm, non-fertilized fields produced less than 2 round bales per acre, while my on-farm nitrogen-fertilized ground produced 5.5 round bales per acre. The increase in the amount of hay certainly is substantial.

I also measured the quality of the hay using forage tests. I am raising beef cows and although there are many forage considerations, I look closely at three different measures on my forage tests, Crude Protein (CP), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Energy (TDN). Although I reference these factors, there are many other measurements on forage tests that a professional nutritionist may use to make recommendations.

Generally speaking, the higher the Crude Protein and Energy and the lower the NDF, the better. My highest CP last year at 17.1%, was first cutting on-farm baleage made on May 21 st . The NDF was 50.7% and the TDN was 66.1%. On this feed, my cows, calves, and steers can continue to grow well and hold body condition even with no supplemental feed, and even during extremely cold weather.

Now let's compare apples to apples. On June 6 th I made a lot of dry hay, both on-farm and off-farm. I have worked for many years building soil on the farm by spreading lime, manure and fertilizer based on soil samples I took and analyzed, usually with help from the ag team at my local conservation district. I also applied 46% nitrogen urea to the on-farm acreage at about 200 lbs./acre. Although the NDF and the TDN levels were similar, my dry hay tested at 11.8% CP, compared to 8.65% CP of the off-farm hay.

As you have probably guessed, many factors contribute to good quality forage, including soil quality, nitrogen and fertilizer application and harvesting the crop at its peak. Also, there is definitely correlation between soil quality and forage quality, and this is apparent across several measurements in the analysis reports.

So, is it worth it? My theory is, yes, the cost and the effort of making quality hay is worth it. As described above, I have experienced a three-fold increase in quantity of hay and a 30% (and more) increase in quality. I don’t have to purchase additional hay or supplemental grain to feed the herd, and they are in great body condition year-round.

Using my experience as an example for 100 first cutting round bales, I would use 3,600 lbs. of urea applied at 200 lbs./acre on 18.2 acres to get my (first cutting) 5.5 bale yield. I purchased urea for $610 per ton, or $1,110 for the 18.2 acres. If I didn’t buy urea and had a yield of 2 bales per acre, I would make 36 bales and need to purchase 64 bales. The cost of hay varies, but if I purchased 64 bales – in this region of Pennsylvania hay is usually sold by the bale – at $40 each, I would spend $2,650. I may or may not get the quality I need from purchased hay.

If I needed to purchase supplemental corn, feed or protein pellets because of poor quality purchased hay, I will have to spend additional money. I won't try to estimate what the costs of supplemental feed might be.

I love making high-quality hay. Knowing the herd is healthy, happy, and productive because of the forages I produce is deeply satisfying. I hope you enjoy it too. I have learned a lot about best management practices on my farm by using the resources at my local conservation district. They have provided outstanding educational opportunities and support. I suspect similar resources are available to you as well, as most regions have conservation professionals or soil and water specialists. If you want to improve your operations, give them a call.

Brian Zeidner and his wife Pat own and operate a 42-acre beef farm in Sugar Run, Pennsylvania and raise custom freezer beef using Red Poll dams. Brian also works as the Member Service Director for Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative, serves as the Chairman of the Bradford County Farmland Preservation board, is the Co-chair of the Northern Tier Industry and Education Consortium and is a United States Air Force veteran. Pat manages the cattle breeding program, is active in several veterans’ groups, and served as a United States Army Combat Nurse.

Brian Zeidner

Homestead Creamery

Alterniative use for an adaptive breed

By: Christie Keene

WWe are the Judson Keen Family. We live on a 30-acre homestead in McEwen, TN lovingly named “Keen Acres”. We began our homestead adventure when we moved our family of 9 from Vero Beach, Florida just 9 years ago. After parking our 40-foot camper (it stayed where it got stuck in the mud) our first purchase was a Jersey Cow named Beauty. Our research had led us to the Jersey as it is heavily promoted as the optimal homestead cow.

One thing we failed to consider was how would we get Beauty bred back again? We knew that we wouldn't keep a Jersey bull as they have a reputation of being quite violent, not conducive to a single strand of electric fence, a bunch of kids and a couple of greenhorns. We thought AI (artificial insemination) was our only option, but it's not easy finding someone to perform the task.

When we finally found one of the few men still visiting small family farms for the purpose of AI, we discovered it's not an easy business. At $80 a shot, it was discouraging to learn the first, second, sometimes 3rd or more attempts were a failure. We later learned that a typical AI straw contains only .25 ml of diluted semen whereas a bull will ejaculate approximately 8 ml!

To have a successful AI experience, the homesteader must learn how to read the animals heat cycle. There is a sweet spot called "standing heat". When a cow finally reaches standing heat (hopefully not in the dead of night), the AI person must be available at that time, as it passes within a day. Additionally, he must have Jersey semen which is not always readily available because fewer Jerseys are in operation these days . We soon found these several barriers to success. We were losing valuable time, money and most importantly to us, milk.

Besides the challenges of not wanting to keep a Jersey bull, difficulty finding an AI administrator, and having unsuccessful AI attempts, there is also the issue of Jersey bull calves. After castrating, you have the difficult decision to make whether to disbud your calf’s horns or not. We’ve done both and neither is pleasant.

Disbudding is painful for the animal and a little traumatizing for the homesteader. And it’s not unusual for the process to be unsuccessful or only partially successful. This leaves your animal with a half horn or stump or worse yet having to do it all over again. Not disbudding creates the issue of a big cow with big horns on your homestead.

It takes approximately 2 years of loving, painstaking care to raise a 100% grassfed, organic Jersey steer, the way we do. A Jersey has a lower feed to gain ratio as they are not bred for that purpose. That means it requires a lot more inputs to produce meat than another cow of the same size. They are by nature a bony cow. They’re cute, but who wants to work so hard for a bag of bones?

After several years of frustration and difficulty, we are so blessed to have finally discovered our solution in the American Red Poll. The American Red Poll is a forgotten tradition. They are the ultimate dual-purpose breed which means they produce excellent carcass and milk for your family. And dual purpose is exactly what a homesteader needs! Minimum space and a desire for sustainability necessitates a naturally polled, docile, easy calving, early maturing, thrifty, meat and milk producing cow operation. And all of these qualities are wrapped up in the American Red Poll.

American Red Poll’s are naturally polled (no horns). They are so docile it is easy to keep a bull even with minimal fencing. The American Red Poll produces a smaller calf which is very important for the health of your heifers and cows. They mature much sooner at 14 months and produce a carcass that no dairy animal can match. And the American Red Poll milk is delicious tasting, high in fat with small, easy to digest fat globules. So, whether your American Red Poll cow produces a heifer or a bull calf, the homestead is blessed!

To our knowledge we are one of only two American Red Poll breeders in America that are milking this beautiful cow. It is our desire to show the American homesteader the amazing qualities of this superior homestead breed!

Remember When...

Wand Bothers milking string 1955.

Alfalfa was fed in bunks at the back of this lot after milking. The cattle also had grass pasture and hay. It was a self sufficient farm which purchased little off farm feed.

Following WWII, Red Poll registrations were increasing rapidly because of the breed’s profit potential on diversified farms. In March 1950, the Red Poll Cattle Club of America reported mature cows averaged 4.2% butterfat and that finished carcasses graded good to choice.

2023 Junior Preview Show Lincoln University

In memory of Bruce Burton

Exhibitors:

Dylan Gardener, Emma Gardener, Luke Jones, Silas Raines, Malcolm Ray, Isaiah Rauert, Silas Rauert, Andrea Weaver

Showmanship:

Senior – Andrea Weaver

Intermediate – Luke Jones

Junior – Isaiah Rauert

PeeWee – Jerrid Raines

Adult – Beth Magoto

Showman of Showmen – Andrea Weaver

Photo Contest – Luke Jones

Photo Contest – Maggie Schmiesing

Thank you

Teresa Jackson, Junior Advisor and Lindharts and Gardeners, host families

Placings:

Calf Champion

Malcolm Ray JF Bentley Lily

Reserve Calf Champion

Dylan Gardner DEW Molly

Intermediate Champion

Luke Jones Red Oak LJ Rayne

Reserve Intermediate Champion

Silas Raines SBF Nicole

Junior Champion

Andrea Weaver JF Bentley June

Reserve Junior Champion

Andrea Weaver JF BS Dolly

Grand Champion Female

Malcolm Ray JF Bentley Lily

Reserve Grand Champion Female

Andrea Weaver JF Bentley June

Champion Bred & Owned

Luke Jones Red Oak LJ Rayne

Grand Champion Bull

Emma Gardner DEW Benny

Grand Champion Cow/Calf

Dylan Gardner Debbie/DEW Olive

Did you know?

A Red Poll cow requires 20 to 24 pounds of dry matter per day in late gestation. Protein and digestible nutrients must be adequate or she won’t be able to consume enough forage.

See page 7 where one of our breeders, Brian Zeidner, has pencilled out the advantages of quality hay production.

Farm Ranch and

Bama Red Polls

A long and varied experience raising Red Poll cattle in the Heart of Dixie

BBama Red Polls took shape as an idea long before the pastures were stocked. When TJ Currier was released from Air Force service in 1956, he and his young family settled near Birmingham. Having grown up on a farm, country life was very appealing to TJ and the family was able to have a little bit of country in Hayden along with TJ’s career in aircraft mechanics. By 1970, the Currier family was had purchased a farm with sufficient acreage to raise cattle.

TJ chose Red Poll for profitability on diversified farms. The first bull to arrive at Bama Red Polls was sired by Win-Mock 623 reg. no 70616 purchased from Twin Oak Farm along with several female offspring of PinPur Income Advancer reg. no 80440. Bama Red Polls went on to purchase cattle from the Hoppmires of Twin Oak Farm over a number of years for their consistent production of milk in the pail and tender beef for the table. These bloodlines have remained the foundation of Bama Red Polls breeding program.

Occasionally cattle with superior traits were added to Bama Red Poll’s herd. Appalachian SKI 1 reg no. 3691 was purchased for muscling and Willow Keno’s Hope reg no. 162215, a Canadian import, added easy fleshing to Bama Red Poll’s female line. The last significant bull purchase TJ made was Eastside Oliver reg no. 6157 obtained from Don Schmidt’s all grass dairy in 1990. Bama Red Polls has been linebreeding from the Oliver line ever since.

The goal has always been to offer registered stock that will be productive and profitable for buyers.

Now 90 years old, TJ Currier still keeps cattle at the home farm in Hayden Alabama. When asked what advice he would give breeders about selecting quality seed stock, TJ has a pretty short list of necessary attributes. Consistent production. He goes on to say that raising Red Poll cattle has been one of the great pleasures in life.

JuniorSpotlight

Andrea Weaver

Daughter of Jeremy and Deanna Weaver

17 years old

Ligonier, IN

When my family first started the adventure of 4H we started with show pigs. Well I throw them a curveball. I wanted to show cattle. My family knew nothing about cattle, luckily we had the Edgell Family to help us learn all about it. It then grew into me showing quality show stock from Jackson Farms. This will be my fourth year showing Red Polls but my 8th year showing cattle. I have learned so much in the four years I have worked with Jackson Farms and Edge Acres. One major thing I have learned from Joe Jackson is if you're on time you're late. As your National Red Poll Ambassador I plan to educate the youth on the cattle industry and the Red Poll Breed. After I finish high school I plan going to college to become an Agricultural Educator and further my impact on youth and the agricultural industry.

First time purchasers of

Red Polls / new

Members of ARPA:

Mar 11, 23 – Jul 19, 23

Jackie Burns

Corning, AR

A3 Cattle Company

Hartwell, GA

Clayton Oesch

Noble, IL

Till Farms

Fort Wayne, IN

Jayden Donohue (JR)

Lexington, IN

Cora Browning

Flemingsburg, KY

Barry Collette

West Paris, ME

Cody Herman

Union City, MI

David Buchs

South Haven, MN

Sapphire Mountain

Livestock Co

Easley, SC

Tommy Cummings

Whitesboro, TX

William Ward

Mexia, TX

Brantley Hamilton (JR)

Rockwood, IL

Steven Warnock

Greenup, KY

Lost Branch Blueberry

Farm

Brashear, MO

Welcome

Andy Lacy

Rushville, IN

Joseph Winfield

Utica, KY

Thursday Oct 12 12-6pm Cattle arrive 6pm Consignor meeting 7pm Board meeting

Friday Oct 13 10am Annual meeting 7pm Banquet

*Reservations due by Sep 15

Saturday Oct 14 10am Sale

*Consignments due by Aug 15

Sponsorship opportunities available contact Brant Sanders or Jim Jackson for more info

How to Contribute to the Red Poll Beef Journal

Advertising Rates

Please send ads to americanredpolls@gmail.com as JPEG or PDF files with 0.25 inch margin. If paying by check, send to ARPA, 2904 North Washington Road, Greens Fork IN 47345. Please write “Journal” on the memo line. Your ad will be repeated unless you make changes with ARPA. If you would like to have an ad created, Jeffries Sales Marketing, which publishes our magazine, offers design services. jeffriessalesmarketing@gmail.com (502) 706-1809.

News and Events

Please submit association news items and notices of upcoming events to americanredpolls@gmail.com for inclusion in the magazine. You can use Word, Pages, PDF or simply type in email. If you would like help with a submission, please contact: Regan Logan 615-218- 3556

You can have a business card size ad created for just $50

WIESE FARMS

We have a few bulls out of Champ for sale plus a few yearling heifers sired by him.

Brian Hiebert jbhieb@outlook.com

Ph. 620-802-2169

Bill Wiese wmhwiese@gmail.com

Ph. 620-465-3865

Our Herd Sire WBH Champ L631 Registry # 215903

Upcoming Events

Effective May 1 2023. See page 4 for details

August 27

Kentucky State Fair Red Poll Open Show Louisville, KY - Entries due 7/10

October 12-14

National Meeting and Sale, Smith Livestock Center, Martin TN, on page 15

November 14

National Show, Louisville, KY

November 15 Winter Journal submission deadline

March Kentucky Beef Expo, TBD Louisville, KY

March 15 Spring Journal submission deadline

June/July

Preview Show

July 15 Fall Journal submission deadline

July/August Indiana State Fair Red Poll Open Show Indianapolis, IN - Entries due 7/1