Meeting goals with your herd

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Setting and Meeting Herd Goals By Klaire Howerton

Setting goals can trigger new behaviors

28 Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com Setting a goal and strategizing realistic ways to achieve it is a widely practiced method for attaining both business and personal successes.

According to a blog post by PositivePsychology, setting goals helps trigger new behaviors, helps guides your focus and helps you sustain that momentum in life. Goals also help align focus and promote a sense of self-mastery. In the end, you can’t manage what you don’t measure and you can’t improve upon something that you don’t properly manage. Write It Down: Utilizing technology for record keeping is becoming commonplace, but it turns out good old-fashioned writing is scientifically proven to be effective. According to a study published in Psychological Science, using pen and paper, not laptops, to take notes boosts memory and the ability to retain and understand concepts.

Producers don’t necessarily need to hand write a book on their goals, but jotting down some notes can keep a person on track. Andy McCorkill, University of Missouri Extension livestock field specialist, suggested the best place to have your breeding philosophy written down might be on a small card in your wallet or check book to look at while bidding on animals to bring home for breeding. It might reduce the incidence of buyer’s remorse later on down the road.

Show Me the Money: “Making money should be everyone’s central goal,” McCorkill said.

He advised stepping back and taking a close look at the books and evaluating management as a first step toward achieving this goal. From there, producers can identify both short- and long-term strategies.

“Reining in an expense-related activity, such as hay feeding, will be a faster step to profitability than changing the breeding plan,” McCorkill explained. More Than Just A Feed Store 1-800-364-0933 • 918-341-0933 721 W. 6th St. Claremore, OK www.stillwatermilingcompany.com Mon.-Fri. 8-6 • Sat. 8-5 www.radiospringfield.com The voice of the Ozarks

Once those short-term steps are taken, a producer will have the momentum to move towards the long-term strategies.

“When looking at the breeding plan, profitability should still be a major consideration. For many, a more terminally minded plan focusing on growth and carcass traits will probably be more profitable. If you want to raise your own replacements heifers, a maternal mindset is much more important. It really boils down to your marketing outlet and satisfying it,” McCorkill said. Mind Your Mother: Even though herd goals will differ from farm to farm, good mothers are at the heart of achieving those objectives. McCorkill explained maternal excellence, with built in longevity, is a must.

He explained a cow generally needs to produce three to five calves before she fully recoups her costs, “so she has to stay around a while to earn her keep.”

Moderately-sized cows, paired with those excellent maternal instincts, will go a long way towards meeting profit minded goals. “A focus on moderating cow size has been a key for a number of reasons, primarily because bigger cows eat more and can be harder to maintain,” McCorkill explained. A 1,400-pound cow will need to consume approximately 10 percent more feed on a dry matter basis than a 1,200-pound cow. Cows should also be evaluated for feet, leg and udder structure, and fescue tolerance. Stay Flexible: It’s been said change is the only constant in life – on a farm, things change almost daily. Staying flexible with meeting herd goals will help a producer develop resilience. “The process of evaluation and keeping an eye open to the future is the key,” McCorkill said. “In a continually changing industry, knowing where to flex is important.”

Setting herd goals will go a long way towards the success and sustainability of a producer’s operation.

March 2020 2 Pesticide Applicator Training – 5 p.m. – Washington County Extension Office, Fayetteville, Ark. – 479-444-1755 3 Crops Conference – registration starts at 9:30 a.m., free lunch if you RSVP – Mayes County Fairgrounds, Pryor, Okla. – 918-542-1688 or 918-825-3241 3 Cattle Minerals & Pasture Management – 6:30 p.m. – Pope County Extension Office, 105 West B. Street, Russellville, Ark. – 479-968-7098 3 Surge Valve and Sensor School – Searcy, Ark. – call White County Extension Office for more information 501-268-5394 4 Tri County Forage Meeting – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – First National Bank Community Center, Paris, Ark. – 479-963-2360 4-7 Delaware County Spring Livestock Show – Delaware County Fairgrounds, Jay, Okla. – 918-253-4332 5 Pesticide Applicator Training – Cost: $20 – Cornerstone Bank, Berryville, Ark. – 870-423-2958 5 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – Cost: $20 – First Electric Building, 801 S. Fourche Avenue, Perryville, Ark. – 501-329-8344 or rbeard@uaex.edu 5 Multi-County Forage Production Meeting – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Crawford County Extension Office, Van Buren, Ark. – 479-474-5286 5 Pesticide Applicator Training – 2 p.m. – Benton County Extension Office, Bentonville, Ark. – 479-271-1060 6 Row Crop Production Meeting – 9 a.m. – Crawford County Extension Office, Van Buren, Ark. – 479-474-5286 9,16,23 Complete Beekeeping Short Course – 6-9 p.m. – Cost: $30 per person (kids 12 and under free) – Conway Presbyterian Church, 2400 Prince Street, Conway, Ark. – 501-329-8344 11 Crawford/Sebastian County Beef Cattle Production Meeting – 9:30 a.m. – Crawford County Extension Office, Van Buren, Ark. – 479-474-5286 12 Commercial Nutrient Applicator Training – 5:30 p.m. – Washington County Extension Office, Fayetteville, Ark. – 479-444-1755 or rhorn@uaex.edu 12 Basic Pecan Production Meeting – Homeowners & Small-Scale Producers – 10 a.m. – ASU Beebe Farm, Beebe, Ark. – register by March 2 – Cost: $20 per person, lunch provided – 501-268-5394 13 Small Fruit Meeting – 9 a.m.-1:15 p.m. – Charleston Community Center, 311 Freedom Road, Charleston, Ark. – pre-register for free lunch by March 11 – call 479-667-3720 or text 479-209-2418 13 Annual Cattlemen’s Pie Auction – 6:30 p.m. – Maysville Community Building, Maysville, Ark. – Funds from this event support local youth involved in livestock projects – 479-271-1060 17 Young Cattlemen’s Series – North Arkansa Livestock Auction, Green Forest – 870-423-2958 17 Tri County Beef Meeting – 9 a.m. – Franklin County Extension Office, Ozark, Ark. – 479-667-3720 19 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – White County Extension Office, Searcy, Ark. – 501-268-5394 19 Tri County Beef Meeting – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Mansfield City Hall, Mansfield, Ark. – 479-637-2173 20-22 Arkansas River Valley Lawn & Garden Show – Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. – tickets: adults 12 & older $5, children 11 & younger free – Kay Rodgers Park, 4400 Midland Blvd., Fort Smith, Ark. – 479-646-6902 or 479-573-0596 24 Pesticide Applicator Training – Cost: $20 – Cornerstone Bank, Berryville, Ark. – 870-423-2958 24 Soil Health Day – Delaware County Fairgrounds, Jay, Okla. – 918-253-4332 27 Twin Lakes Beef & Forage Conference – 5:30 p.m. – Cost: $10 – Cotter High School Cafeteria, Cotter, Ark. – registration deadline is March 20 – 870-425-2335

April 2020 2 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – Cost: $20 – Faulkner County Extension Office, 844 Faulkner St., Conway, Ark. – 501-329-8344 or rbeard@uaex.edu 2-4 Big Branch/Cooper Cattle AI Training – Beebe, Ark. – 479-252-0570 or 501-316-3536 or BigBranchBreeders.net 7 Pesticide Applicator Training – 2 p.m. – Benton County Extension Office, Bentonville, Ark. – 479-271-1060 23-25 Big Branch/Cooper Cattle AI Training – Harrison, Ark. – 479-252-0570 or 501-316-3536 or BigBranchBreeders.net 25 Cattlemen’s Association Spring Field Day – Benton County Fairgrounds, Bentonville, Ark. – 479-295-7044 or Jenthurlophotography@yahoo.com

May 2020 9 Strawberry Festival – Stilwell, Okla. – www.strawberrycaptial.com for more information 19 Pesticide Applicator Training – 6 p.m. – Cost: $20 – Workforce Training Center, Timberwolf Drive UACCM Campus, Morrilton, Ark. – 501-329-8344 or rbeard@uaex.edu

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March 2020 7 Judd Ranch 42nd Gelbvieh, Balancer & Red Angus Bull Sale – at the Ranch, Pomona, Kan. – 1-800-743-0026 7 Mead Farms Performance Tested Bull Sale – Mead Farms Sale Headquarters, Versailles, Mo. – 573-216-0210 7 Peterson Farms 27th Annual Top Pick Charolais Bull Sale – Peterson Farms Sale Headquarters, Mountain Grove, Mo. – 405-246-6324 7 Hilltop Farms Annual Gelbvieh & Gelbvieh Balancer Bull & Female Sale – Joplin Regional Stockyards, Carthage, Mo. – 417-529-0081 7 Satterfield Charolais & Angus 9th Annual Bull Sale – at the Farm, Evening Shade, Ark. – 785-672-7449 7 Arkansas Bull & Female Sale – Hope Livestock Auction, Hope, Ark. – 877-486-1160 14 Heart of the Ozarks Angus Association Spring Sale – West Plains, Mo. – 734-260-8635 14 Wright Charolais 13th Annual Bull Sale – at the Farm, Kearney, Mo. – 785-672-7449 14 Seedstock Plus RED Reward Bull & Female Sale – Wheeler Livestock Auction, Osceola, Mo. – 877-486-1160 14 11th Annual Genetic Power Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 334-695-1371 14 Jac’s Ranch Annual Spring Bull & Commercial Female Sale – at the Ranch, Bentonville, Ark. – 479-366-1759 15 April Valley Farms 23rd Annual Performance-Tested Bull & Female Sale – St. Joseph Stockyards, St. Joseph, Mo. – 913-682-4376 18 Valley Oaks Angus Bull & Female Sale – at the farm, Oak Grove, Mo. – 573-280-2351 20 THM Land & Cattle Production Sale – Vienna, Mo. – 573-443-4521 21 Aschermann Charolais/Akaushi 30th Edition Bull Sale – at the Ranch, Carthage, Mo. – 417-793-2855 21 Missouri Bison Association 22nd Annual Spring Sale – Mo-Kan Livestock, Butler, Mo. – 816-585-4779 21 Circle A Angus Ranch Spring Bull & Heifer Sale – at the Ranch, Iberia, Mo. – 573-280-5308 21 Cattlemen’s Choice Bull & Female Simmental, SimAngus Sale – Fredonia Livestock Market, Fredonia, Kan. – 620-437-2211 21 Pinegar Herdbuilder XXVI Sale – at the Farm, Springfield, Mo. – 417-833-6784 21 Brinkley Angus Ranch 18th Annual Production Sale – Green City, Mo. – 660-265-5565 21 Falling Timber Farm Bull & Female Sale – at the Farm, Marthasville, Mo. – 636-358-4161 21 Flying H Genetics Spring Sale – at the Ranch, Butler, Mo. – 303-842-9071 22 Magness Land & Cattle Southern Division Bull Sale – at the Ranch, Miami, Okla. – 970-396-3584 24 Superior Beef Genetics Bull Sale – Lamar, Mo. – 417-214-4090 24 GENETRUST Brangus Sale – Suhn Cattle Company, Eureka, Kan. – 620-583-3706 28 Maplewood Acres Joint Bull & Female Sale – Sedalia, Mo., – 660-826-1880 28 Seedstock Plus South Missouri Bull & Female Sale – Joplin Regional Stockyards, Carthage, Mo. – 877-486-1160 28 Worthington Angus Farm 5th Annual Spring Production Sale – at the Farm, Dadeville, Mo. – 417-844-2601 28 Arkansas Bull Sale, All Breed Bull & Commercial Female Sale – Heber Springs, Ark. – 205-270-0999 28 Harriman Santa Fe Top of the Breed Bull & Bred Heifer Sale – Windsor Livestock Auction, Windsor, Mo. – 660-492-2504 28 Missouri Classic Shorthorn Sale – Laclede County Fairgrounds, Lebanon, Mo. – 417-453-6713 30 Southwest Missouri PT Bull Sale – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 417-293-8002

April 2020 3 Ade Polled Hereford Production Sale – at the farm, Amsterdam, Mo. – 765-583-4875 4 Four State Angus Association Spring Sale – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 734-260-8635 4 Ridder Farms Bull Sale – at the farm, Hermann, Mo. – 785-672-7449 4 B/F Cattle Company Spring Maternal Integrity Gelbvieh & Balancer Bull Sale – at the Farm, Butler, Mo. – 660-492-2808 5 P Bar S Proof of Progress Sale – at the Ranch, Sand Springs, Okla. – 402-350-3447 6 Brockmere Farms Spring Sale – New Cambria Livestock Auction, New Cambria, Mo. – 660-375-2055 11 The Renaissance 28th Anniversary Edition Sale – Chappell’s Sale Arena, Strafford, Mo. – 405-246-6324 14 Sydenstricker Genetics Influence Sale – at the Ranch, Mexico, Mo. – 573-473-9202 14 Shoal Creek Land & Cattle Spring Sale – Excelsior Springs, Mo. – 612-805-7405 18 Bradley Cattle Company Bred Heifer Sale – Springfield Livestock Marketing Center, Springfield, Mo. – 785-672-7449 18 The Great American Pie Limousin Sale – Laclede County Livestock Pavilion, Lebanon, Mo. – 402-350-3447 18 East Central Missouri Angus Association Sale – Cuba, Mo. – 314-393-2885 18 Owen Brothers Cattle Company Diamond & Spurs Sim-Genetics Spring Sale – at the farm, Bois D’ Arc, Mo. – 417-830-6252 18 New Day Genetics Ranch Ready Bull Sale – Cunningham Livestock Auction, Salem, Mo. – 903-748-7591

Cattlemen’s Seedstock Directory ANGUS Jac’s Ranch - Bentonville, Ark. - 479-273-3030 Rocking A Ranch - Berryville, Ark. - 870-480-7651 - 870-423-3567 - parthurrockinga@hotmail.com Rose Bud Bull Development & Sales - Rose Bud, Ark. - 501-940-0299 - www.rosebudfeeders.com BALANCERS Bob Harriman Genetics - Montrose, Mo. - 660-492-2504 Hodges Ranch - Omaha, Ark. - 870-426-4469 - 870-704-9450 Rose Bud Bull Development & Sales - Rose Bud, Ark. - 501-940-0299 - www.rosebudfeeders.com BRANGUS Rose Bud Bull Development & Sales - Rose Bud, Ark. - 501-940-0299 - www.rosebudfeeders.com CHAROLAIS Rose Bud Bull Development & Sales - Rose Bud, Ark. - 501-940-0299 - www.rosebudfeeders.com GELBVIEH Hodges Ranch - Omaha, Ark. - 870-426-4469 - 870-704-9450 HEREFORDS Rose Bud Bull Development & Sales - Rose Bud, Ark. - 501-940-0299 - www.rosebudfeeders.com LIM-FLEX Glen Odglen - Springdale, Ark. - 479-200-2677 - 479-361-2407 RED ANGUS Watkins Cattle Company - Harrison, AR - 870-741-9795 – 870-688-1232 – watkinscattleco@windstream.net SIM ANGUS Bob Harriman Genetics - Montrose, Mo. - 660-492-2504 Reach More Than 24,000 Readers Who Are Primarily Livestock Producers, By Placing Your Ad In the Purebred Corral, Call Today! 1-866-532-1960

Forage developed, work ready, athletic, easy keeping bulls for the commercial cattleman. Maternal Integrity Gelbvieh & Balancer ® BULL SALE 660-492-2808 Info or Catalog

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