the ofn
ag-visors
Advice from
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Increasing Income any of you are used to seeing Jessica Allan’s name in this space, but she asked if I’d be willing to fill in while she’s out of the office on maternity leave. I’ll certainly Gregg Bailey is an do my best to provide some of the unique agricultural lender and insight you’re used to receiving in her agvisor pieces, but commercial relationship first let’s congratulate Jessica and her husband on the birth manager at Guaranty of their baby boy Ryder! Bank in Nixa, Mo. with It’s readily accepted by most in the production agriculnearly 25 years of ture industry that crossbreeding can be very beneficial banking experience. He and lead to enhanced economic returns, whether that be and his family operate a weight, yield, disease resistance or so many other positive beef farm showing and attributes. This is known as heterosis and, generally, it’s a selling registered cattle. good thing. Since we live in the heart of cattle country, I will mostly refer to the beef industry, but remember that the underlying process of crossbreeding works with most species of plant and animal. It doesn’t matter if you’re raising or selling beef, lamb, goat, poultry or forages, the effect of utilizing a crossbreeding program can increase output by as much as 25 percent. When margins are tight, prices low and inputs high, the added value from crossbreeding can mean the difference between making a profit or leaving potential income unrealized. By no means is a crossbreeding program the answer for every issue facing producers, but it can be a useful tool when implemented with purpose and direction. In a true crossbreeding system, the continued use of any one breed on commercial or purebred cattle will quickly result in the loss of heterosis and the anticipated complementary breed effect. By definition, a complementary breed effect matches the strength of one breed to offset the weaknesses of another. While this is desirable, also keep in mind that it’s important to maintain purebred lines as a foundation for a well-conceived crossbreeding program. A real-life example that occurs in cattle herds throughout Southwest Missouri is the consistent use of a single purebred breed of bulls on commercially crossed cows. This works very well for the first or second generation, but as heifers are retained and added to the herd the producer reduces the benefits of crossbreeding and the complementary effect that results. So why would an agricultural lender be concerned about discussing crossbreeding programs? Hopefully, the lender and producer value the relationship they have forged and are able to openly discuss options, opportunities and future decisions affecting the agricultural enterprise both from a profitability and a sustainability standpoint. Continued growth, taking advantage of additional management practices to enhance your operation, and realizing financial success in the business venture should be some of the priorities for both. After all, a good lender and customer relationship means both parties have a vested interest in being profitable and meeting future goals. As we quickly approach the fall breeding season, now is a great time to start investing in a well-managed, thought-out crossbreeding program. If you are looking at replacing or upgrading your bull, ram or buck, take some time to look at what areas of improvement would benefit your operation the most. Breed associations offer detailed genetic information that make selection much easier and offer accuracies that help take some of the guesswork out of the process of purchasing a sire. Buy quality and look for those genetic improvements that complement your bottom line. Don’t be afraid to ask for opinions from others, do your research and remember that half of all future production will be influenced by your decisions today.
NOVEMBER 2, 2020
View inventory and prices at billgrantford.com NEW TRUCKS
By Gregg Bailey
M
43 YEARS
2020 Ford F350 4x4 Dual Rear Wheel - XL, Bed Delete, 6.2 Liter, White ............. $38,655 2020 Ford F150 Supercrew 4x4 - XLT, 302A, 2.7 Liter Ecoboost, Red ................... $40,682 2020 Ford F150 Supercrew 4x4 - XLT Sport FX4, 5.0 Liter, White......................... $42,925 2020 Ford F150 Supercrew 4x4 - STX Sport FX4, 3.5 Liter Ecoboost, Gray .......... $41,504 2020 Ford F150 Supercrew 4x4 - XLT, 302A, Nav Blis, 5.0 Liter, Blue .................. $44,563 2020 Ford F150 Supercrew 4x4 - XLT, 302A, Nav, 2.7 Liter Ecoboost, Blue ......... $41,150 2020 Ford F150 Supercrew 4x4 - XLT, 302A, Max Tow, 3.5 Liter Ecoboost, Gray $45,539 2020 Ford F150 Supercrew 4x4 - XLT, 302A, 5.0 Liter, Red ................................... $44,169 2020 Ford F150 Supercrew 4x4 - XL Sport, 5.0 Liter, White ................................... $42,581 2020 Ford Ranger 4x4 Crew - Lariat, 2.3 Liter Ecoboost, White ............................. $38,194 2020 Ford Ranger 4x4 Crewcb - XLT FX4, 2.3 Liter Ecoboost, Silver ................... $35,413 2020 Ford Ranger 4x4 Crewcb - Lariat, 2.3 Liter Ecoboost, Blue ........................... $37,574 2020 Ford Ranger 4x4 Crewcb - Lariat, Nav & Tech, 2.3 Liter Ecoboost, White.... $39,124 2020 Ford Ranger 4x4 Crewcb - XLT, 2.3 Liter Ecoboost, White ........................... $35,310 2020 Ford Ranger Crewcab - STX Pkg, 2.3 Liter Ecoboost, Blue ........................... $29,748 * Price after dealer discount & Ford Motor public rebates. Additional private offers may be available. See dealer for details.
PRE-OWNED TRUCKS
2011 Ford F450 4x4 Crewcab - Dual Rear Wheel, XLT, 84” Ca Flatbed, 6.7 Liter, White, 237,230 Mi, ............................................................................................... $19,900 2005 Ford F350 4x4 Single Rear Wheel - 6-Spd, Hydrabed, 6.0 Liter, Brown, 191,629 Mi, ........................................................................................................... $12,900 2004 Ford F350 4x4 S/C Dual Rear Wheel - 6-Spd, Deweze, 6.0 Liter, White, 206,341 Mi, ........................................................................................................... $15,800 2002 Ford F350 4x4 S/C Dual Rear Wheel - Omaha Stand Serv Bdy, 7.3 Liter, White, 345,716 Mi, ............................................................................................................. $9,800 2004 Ford F350 4x4 Crewcab - Longbed, XLT, 6.0 Liter, White, 176,805 Mi, .......... $8,800 2004 Ford F350 4x4 S/C - Longbed, XLT, 6.0 Liter, Grey, 218,437 Mi, ................... $14,800 1999 Ford F250 4x4 Crewcab - Longbed, Lariat, 7.3 Liter, Black, 425,848 Mi, ........ $7,500 2017 Ram 2500 4x4 Single Rear Wheel - Longbed, Tradesman, 6.7 Liter, Black, 58,102 Mi, ............................................................................................................. $36,900 2007 Chevy K2500 Hd 4x4 - Wt, 6.0 Liter, Red, 177,204 Mi, ...................................$11,500 2006 Chevy K2500 4x4 Crewcab - 6.0 Liter, Red ....................................................... $4,500 2005 Ford F250 4x4 S/C - XLT, 6.0 Liter, Black, 211,674 Mi,.................................... $9,400 1998 Dodge Br1500 4x4 - Pickup, 5.2 Liter, White, 215,542 Mi, ................................ $4,800 2018 Ford Supercrew 4x4 - XLT, 5.0 Liter, Gray, 40,183 Mi, .................................. $33,800 2018 Ford Supercrew 4x4 - STX, 2.7 Liter Ecoboost, White, 13,987 Mi, ................ $36,500 2018 Ford Supercrew 4x4 - XLT, 2.7 Liter Ecoboost, White, 23,973 Mi, ................ $36,500 2017 Ford F150 4x4 S/C - STX, 2.7 Liter Ecoboost, Black, 27,703 Mi, ................... $33,400 2014 Ford Supercrew 4x4 - Lariat, 40/20/40, 5.0 Liter, Silver, 79,068 Mi, .............. $24,900 2011 Ford F250 4x4 Crewcab - King Ranch, 6.7 Liter, Black, 91,766 Mi, .............. $35,800 2006 Ford F150 4x4 - Longbed, XLT, 5.4 Liter, Black, 135,745 Mi, .......................... $9,400 2006 Ford Supercrew 4x4 - King Ranch, 5.4 Liter, Black, 182,611 Mi, ..................... $9,400 2005 Chevy K1500 4x4 - Longbed, 5.3 Liter, White, 242,461 Mi, .............................. $4,500 2006 Ford Supercrew - XLT, 5.4 Liter, Blue, 199,213 Mi,.......................................... $6,400
BILL GRANT
S. Business Rt. 13 • Bolivar • 326-7671
Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com
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