Blake and Janna Robertson work to always improve

Photo by Neoma Foreman

meet your neighbors

Blake and Janna Robertson, pictured with their daughters Tyne and Niva, have a straight Angus cow/calf Herd.

Getting Better

By Neoma Foreman Blake and Janna Robertson select breeding stock that will improve future generations of their herd

Blake and Janna Robertson of Nevada, Mo., grew up raising cattle. “We select for certain EPDs and genomic test results when we purchase bulls,” Blake They enjoy caring for cattle and are spreading that love for livestock to their children, said “I’m also looking at the structure of the bulls.” 9-year-old Tyne and 5-year old Niya. Most of the veterinarian work is done by Blake and Janna onsite, but the herd health

“I had cattle and sold calves to pay my way through college,” Janna said. “My goal was program is overseen and directed by Dr. Erik Andersen of 54 Vet Clinic in Nevada. They to finish college without student loans, which was successful.” vaccinate and deworm cows and bulls bi-annually, and calves get three rounds of shots

Like Janna, Blake explained growing up with cattle as well. before going to the feed yard. Records are kept using the RFID Tagging System. Before

“My family raised cattle and I helped care for them. Janna and I both showed in 4-H calves are shipped to the feed yard, they get a U.S. Cattle Trace visual tag. and FFA, and now the girls are in 4-H,” he said. The Robertsons have a traditional feeding program. Cows are grazed on fescue pasture

Blake worked off the farm for a few years after college, but now is farming and ranching with clover and lespedeza in the mix. They use other feed products, such as minerals, full time. Janna is the owner and teacher of Little Tikes Preschool in Nevada and is a creep feed and supplements. They also feed silage, brome hay and other products from veteran teacher of 22 years. Purina. Blake soil tests annually and fertilizes accordingly.

Tyne and Niya have responsibilities, too. Currently, they care for two bucket calves Along with raising cattle, the Robertson’s also sell beef. named A.J. and Axle. “We sell by the quarter, half, or whole,” Janna said. “We feed 100 percent of our calves

Since 2016, the girls have been responsible for 14 calves. Two years ago, the girls sold out to finish and harvest on the grid at Hy-Plains Feed Yard in Montezuma, Kan. Our four steers and invested in a bred Angus cow. Tyne and Niya are eager and excited to see processing is done in Dodge City and grades choice or prime. Each time we get kill data “their herd” develop and multiply. back, I call it our ‘grade card.’ This is the one-shot at knowing how their quality of

Blake and Janna’s commercial Angus cow/calf operation consists of a few beef is for our consumers. They want the end result to be the best they can produce.” hundred cows and bulls. With the young cowgirls following in their parents’ and grandparent’s footsteps,

“We do not do any crossbreeding.” Blake said. “We select cattle for grading the future plans are to keep expanding the cow herd and make each set of calves and feeding qualities, as well as growth and end product merit.” better quality to satisfy the end user-the consumers. It’s all about improving the

Their breeding program is either natural breeding or AI. They breed heifers at beef industry. 14 to 15 months of age. The Robertsons’ have a tight 45-day calving window Neveda, Mo. The Robertsons are always learning. They are involved in many areas of for September/October and January/February. All the bulls are from Hinkle’s beef production such as Vernon County Cattleman, Missouri Cattleman, Prime Cut Angus of Nevada. The cow herd is Hinkle-based as well. National Cattlemen, American Angus Association and 4-H projects.

NOVEMBER 23, 2020 Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com 7