2023 Mrnak Hereford Ranch Sale Catalog

Welcome!

It is once again our pleasure to welcome friends, family, and cattlemen to this year’s 56th Annual Production Sale. If these bulls could tell the tale of their lives over the past two years, it would be an epic story. This group of bulls were born in conditions that make it easy to be a rancher. However, this open winter calving season continued to a dry summer that led us to wean at an average of 130 days of age due to the extreme drought. Essentially, the weaning weights of this calf crop took a direct hit. Yet, given the circumstances of which the cattle had to survive on their performance stayed on track. We were amazed on how the health of the calves maintained and how fast they grew considering the time with mom was cut short by 75 days. Then, the drought was busted by a pair of two of the toughest April blizzards we have experienced in 25 years. It has been times like these that remind us why having tough, hearty Hereford cattle is what has kept us in the business for all these years. This bull crop represents the top 30% of the bulls born on the ranch. We have a “No Excuses” program when it comes to selecting our bulls. Multiple times a year the bulls are culled on structure, disposition, performance and phenotype. Again, this year’s set of bulls were hauled to grass the first week of June. We develop the bulls on grass from June to October with a high-grade mineral as their only supplement. We feel that developing bulls this way allows them to naturally grow and guarantee that only the top performing bulls make the cut. During the spring of 2021, we had to make a decision due to the drought to move a group of cows. We opted to relocate our fall calving cows to eastern South Dakota to Brock Nichols and his family near Willow Lake. Brock and his family have always been involved with raising Hereford cattle and we felt this would be a great partnership and location for our fall cows. The calves were born in Willow Lake and delivered to us at weaning time in the spring. From there, we continued to develop them along with the rest of our summer cattle. These fall bulls all exemplify the top genetics used here in the Mrnak program. We are very optimistic about the Hereford business and are always looking for new and practical genetics to offer our customers. We have always strived to carefully select our herd sires to build and produce a sound maternal cowherd with performance driven genetics, allowing us to supply our customers with the best bulls that we can produce. Once again, we would like to thank everyone for the interest and support in our program. As always, the bulls are 100% guaranteed through the first breeding season. We look forward to working with you!

The Mrnaks

welcome to the 56th a nnual m rnak hereFord r anch p roduction Sale!

Kevin Murnin, Hereford World 406-853-4638

Kirby Goettsch, Farm & Ranch Guide 605-380-3939

Marc and Jill Hotchkiss, Hereford America

Chris Effling, Special Assignment

Tony Hines, Cattle Business Weekly

Will Bollum, Western Ag Reporter

605-490-1513

605-769-0142

701-400-4435

507-244-0833

Scott Dirk, Tri State Livestock News 605-380-6024

Harry Kerr, Bowman Auction Market 701-523-6711

— Terms & Conditions —

• All terms will be cash unless credit is arranged before the sale.

• Each animal will be sold to the highest bidder. Bidding disputes will be settled by the aucitoneer.

• Health Certificates will be furnished.

• Animals sold will be fed and cared for at purchaser’s risk for a reasonable length of time, or will be loaded and shipped as instructed.

• Bulls are guaranteed breeders. All claims must be submitted in writing to seller within eight months of sale date, along with semen evaluation and health report, at buyer’s expense, from veterinarian. Seller shall have the privilege of trying bull after his return before making any adjustment. This guarantee is void if there is evidence of improper management in caring for the animal or the bull’s inability to breed is due to sickness or injury which incurred after being sold.

• According to information available from the American Hereford Association and from our own experience, all our registered cattle in this sale are I.E. and diluter free. No further guarantee is implied.

• Any changes of information as it appears in this catalog will be announced at time of sale and such announcements will take precedence over printed matter in this catalog.

• HEALTH: These bulls are from a herd free from any known infections or contagious diseases or physical abnormalties. Dr. Johnson of West River Vet Clinic has been in charge of the health of the herd.

— Delivery —

• 300 miles free delivery at buyers and sellers convenience.

• Cooperate on further hauls.

• No delivery on commercial lots.

• Will help with lining up transportation on any lots.

• Will feed for a reasonable length of time at the buyer’s expence.

• All cattle left at Mrnaks to feed must be fully insured.

— Video —

Videos of bulls available on our website mrnakherefords.com and DVAuction.com

WayneMrnak

It is with great honor that the Mrnak Hereford Ranch can recognize Wayne Mrnak for his years of dedication to the family program and his unwavering commitment to all of our customers who have purchased our genetics for the past half century.

In the words of Wayne … “It’s Time”. He and his family have decided that it’s time for Wayne to retire from the day-to-day operations at the Mrnak Ranch. Wayne has been an inspirational leader to the family program and has been an integral part of keeping Mrnak Herefords active on the local, state, and national levels. Wayne has served as a director of the North Dakota Hereford Association and was also a director of the American Hereford Association from 2003 -2006.

Wayne has always had a constant passion for the Hereford breed and has worked tirelessly to maintain the integrity of the Mrnak genetic program to ensure that we were producing seedstock that were designed for our customers. He introduced mainstream bloodlines such as Patriot, Dakota, and Monument that became notable names with many National Grand and Reserve Champion honors. The first registered cows were purchased in 1944 and by 1968 Jim, Marlene, and their five children held the first Annual Production Sale at the ranch. Jim and Marlene certainly had the dream, yet Wayne had the drive and the passion to see those dreams become reality.

This year will mark the Mrnak Hereford Ranch’s 56th Annual Production Sale, and without Wayne’s guidance and determination for excellence, the next 50 sales would not be a possibility. On behalf of the Mrnak Hereford Ranch and all of our friends, family, and customers, we wish Wayne & Jill and Robyn & Eric all the best.

Lastly, we simply want to say “Thank You”.

• Herd Bull. Long as a train, gentle as a giant, and stud are the phrases that come to mind when we think of Lot 1. This guy has been a standout since birth and is one of the most powerful and complete bulls ever born at the ranch. 1540 stands on a great set of legs with an ideal foot. He is long, athletic and is as big of a performer as we have raised. 1540 is an ET bull that goes back to the H5 Advance 2239 bull that was purchased from Harrell’s in Oregon. When we found 2239, we were in search of the biggest, stoutest Line 1 bred bull that we could find and he checked all of the boxes. 2239 has been a bull that we have proudly based a large number of females out of here at the ranch. 1540 is as long sided, deep flanked, well-balanced, and perfect marked as you can find anywhere. We feel that 1540 will be unmatched in this curve bending growth, weaning weight and carcass traits. Match all of that with his outstanding disposition we feel this is a unique opportunity to own an elite Hereford Bull! The Mrnak Ranch will retain an interest in this Herd Sire.

• Top 1% of the breed for YW EPD

• Top 10% of the breed for M&G EPD

• Top 15% of the breed for REA EPD

• Carcass IMF Ratio of 110

• Herd Bull. This is a pedigree that if you have followed our program over the past decade has been one you have seen a quite a few times. There have been numerous full sibs to 1568 that have made their way to operations in the forefront of the cattle business. 1568’s sire MH Advance 4119 has been the go-to sire for making athletic, easy fleshing cattle with outstanding phenotypes. 4119 was the high selling bull for us in 2016 going to the Katus Ranch in SD and later finding his new home at Rocking Chair Ranch in TX. We believe this son of his has an even brighter future. 1568 is as correct, massively built and deep bodied as you will find with a great hair coat and outstanding disposition. 1568 to us is what an ideal Hereford bull should look like. The Mrnak Ranch will retain an interest in this Herd Sire.

• Top 10% of the breed for WW EPD • Top 1% of the breed for YW EPD • Top 15% of the breed for M&G EPD • Top 20% of the breed for REA EPD • Carcass Ratios of 105 and 112

Understanding Hereford EPDs

The American Hereford Association (AHA) currently produces expected progeny differences (EPDs) for 17 traits and calculates three profit ($) indexes. AHA’s genetic evaluation makes use of a Marker Effects Model that allows the calculation of EPDs by incorporating the pedigree, phenotypic and genomic profile of an animal. Animals that have a genomic profile will be denoted with a GE-EPD logo.

The current suite of Hereford EPDs and $ indexes includes:

Calving Ease — Direct (CE)

CE EPD is based on calving ease scores and birth weights and is measured on a percentage. CE EPD indicates the influence of the sire on calving ease in females calving at 2 years of age. For example, if sire A has a CE EPD of 6 and sire B has a CE EPD of -2, then you would expect on average if comparably mated, sire A’s calves would be born with an 8% more likely chance of being unassisted when compared to sire B’s calves.

Birth Weight (BW)

BW EPD is an indicator trait for calving ease and is measured in pounds. For example, if sire A has a BW EPD of 3.6 and sire B has a BW EPD of 0.6, then you would expect on average if comparably mated, sire A’s calves would come 3 lb. heavier at birth when compared to sire B’s calves. Larger BW EPDs usually, but not always, indicate more calving difficulty. The figure in parentheses found after each EPD is an accuracy value or reliability of the EPD.

Weaning Weight (WW)

WW EPD is an estimate of pre-weaning growth that is measured in pounds. For example, if sire A has a WW EPD of 60 and sire B has a WW EPD of 40, then you would expect on average if comparably mated, sire A’s calves would weigh 20 lb. heavier at weaning when compared to sire B’s calves.

Yearling Weight (YW)

YW EPD is an estimate of post-weaning growth that is measured in pounds. For example, if sire A has a YW EPD of 100 and sire B has a YW EPD of 70, then you would expect on average if comparably mated, sire A’s calves would weigh 30 lb. heavier at a year of age when compared to sire B’s calves.

Dry Matter Intake (DMI)

The Dry Matter Intake EPD predicts the daily consumption of pounds of feed. For example, if sire A has a DMI EPD of 1.1 and sire B has a DMI EPD of 0.1, you would expect sire B’s progeny, if comparably mated, to consume on average 1 pound of feed less per day.

Scrotal Circumference (SC)

Measured in centimeters and adjusted to 365 days of age, SC EPD is the best estimate of fertility. It is related to the bull’s own semen quantity and quality, and is also associated with age at puberty of sons and daughters. Larger SC EPDs suggest younger age at puberty. Yearling sons of a sire with a .7 SC EPD should have yearling scrotal circumference measurements that average 0.7 centimeters (cm) larger than progeny by a bull with an EPD of 0.0 cm.

Sustained Cow Fertility (SCF)

The AHA’s new Sustained Cow Fertility EPD (SCF) is a prediction of a cow’s ability

to continue to calve from three years of age through twelve years of age, given she calved as a two-year-old. The EPD is expressed as a deviation in the proportion of the ten-possible calving’s to twelve years old expressed as a probability. For example, the daughters of a bull with a 30 EPD would have the genetic potential to have one more calf by age twelve then the daughters from a bull with a 20 EPD. In other words, the daughters from the 30 EPD bull would have a 10% greater probability of having one more calf than the bull with a 20 EPD. This is equivalent to saying that the daughters are 10% more likely to remain in the herd to age 12.

Maternal Milk (MM)

The milking ability of a sire’s daughters is expressed in pounds of calf weaned. It predicts the difference in average weaning weights of sires’ daughters’ progeny due to milking ability. Daughters of the sire with a +14 MM EPD should produce progeny with 205-day weights averaging 24 lb. more (as a result of greater milk production) than daughters of a bull with a MM EPD of -10 lb. (14 minus -10.0 = 24 lb.). This difference in weaning weight is due to total milk production during the entire lactation.

Maternal Milk & Growth (M&G)

Maternal Milk & Growth reflects what the sire is expected to transmit to his daughters for a combination of growth genetics through weaning and genetics for milking ability. It is an estimate of daughters’ progeny weaning weight. A bull with a 29 lb. M&G EPD should sire daughters with progeny weaning weights averaging 19 lb. heavier than progeny of a bull’s daughters with a M&G EPD of 10 lb. (29 minus 10 = 19 lb.). It is equal to one-half the sire’s weaning weight EPD, plus all of his MM EPD. No accuracy is associated with this since it is simply a mathematical combination of two other EPDs. It is sometimes referred to as “total maternal” or “combined maternal.”

Maternal Calving Ease (MCE)

MCE EPD predicts how easily a sires daughters will calve at 2 years of age and is measured on a percentage. For example, if sire A has a MCE EPD of 7 and sire B has a CE EPD of -3, then you would expect on average if comparably mated, sire A’s daughters would calve with a 10% more likely chance of being unassisted when compared to sire B’s daughters.

Mature Cow Weight (MCW)

The MCW EPD was designed to help breeders select sires that will either increase or decrease mature size of cows in the herd. The trait was developed after years of cow weight data collection and the EPD relates directly to the maintenance requirements of a cow herd. For example, if sire A has a MCW EPD of 100 and sire B has an EPD of 85, then you would expect the females of sire A, if mated to similar cows, to be 15 lb. heavier at mature size.

Udder suspension (UDDR)

UDDR EPDs are reported on a 9 (very tight) to 1 (very pendulous) scoring scale.

Differences in sire EPDs predict the difference expected in the sires’ daughters’ udder characteristics when managed in the same environment. For example, if sire A has a UDDR EPD of 0.4, and sire B has a UDDR EPD of -0.1, the difference

in the values is 0.5, or one-half of a score. If daughters of sires A and B are raised and managed in the same environment, you would expect half a score better udder suspension in daughters of sire A, compared to sire B.

Teat size (TEAT)

TEAT EPDs are reported on a 9 (very small) to 1 (very large, balloon shaped) scoring scale. Differences in sire EPDs predict the difference expected in the sires’ daughters’ udder characteristics when managed in the same environment. For example, if sire A has a teat size EPD of 0.4, and sire B has a teat size EPD of -0.1, the difference in the values is 0.5, or one-half of a score. If daughters of sires A and B are raised and managed in the same environment, you would expect half a score smaller teat size in daughters of sire A, compared to sire B.

Carcass Weight (CW)

Carcass weight is a beneficial trait when considering the impact that pounds have relative to end product value. At the same age constant endpoint, sires with higher values for carcass weight will add more pounds of hot carcass weight compared to sires with lower values for carcass weight. For example, if sire A has a CW EPD of 84 and sire B has a CW EPD 64, then you would expect the progeny of sire A, if harvested at the same age constant endpoint, to have a 20-lb. advantage in terms of hot carcass weight.

Rib Fat (FAT)

The FAT EPD reflects differences in adjusted 365-day, 12th-rib fat thickness based on carcass measurements of harvested cattle. Sires with low, or negative FAT EPDs are expected to produce leaner progeny than sires with higher EPDs. Ultrasound measures are also incorporated into this trait and have been shown to be highly correlated with the performance of slaughter progeny. All data is expressed on a carcass scale.

Ribeye Area (REA)

REA EPDs reflect differences in an adjusted 365-day ribeye area measurement based on carcass measurements of harvested cattle. Sires with relatively higher REA EPDs are expected to produce better-muscled and higher percentage yielding slaughter progeny than will sires with lower REA EPDs. Ultrasound measurements are also incorporated into this trait and have been shown to be highly correlated with the performance of slaughter progeny. All data is expressed on a carcass scale.

Marbling (MARB)

MARB EPDs reflect differences in an adjusted 365-day marbling score (intramuscular fat, [IMF]) based on carcass measurements of harvested cattle. Breeding cattle with higher MARB EPDs should produce slaughter progeny with a higher degree of IMF and therefore higher quality grades. Ultrasound measurements are also incorporated into this trait and have been shown to be highly correlated with the performance of slaughter progeny. All data is expressed on a carcass scale.

Baldie Maternal Index (BMI$)

The Baldy Maternal Index is a maternally focused index that is based on a production system that uses Hereford x Angus cross cows. Progeny of these cows are

directed towards Certified Hereford Beef. This index has significant weight on Sustained Cow Fertility, which predicts fertility and longevity of females. There is a slightly positive weight on Weaning Weight, Mature Cow Weight and Milk which accounts for enough growth but ensures females do not increase inputs. There is some negative emphasis on Dry Matter Intake, but a positive weighting on Carcass Weight which is anticipated to provide profitability from finishing of non-replacement females and castrated males. Marbling and Rib-eye Area are also positively weighted to keep the harvested progeny successful for CHB. This index is geared to identify Hereford bulls that will be profitable when used in a rotational cross with mature commercial Angus cows.

Brahman Influence Index (BII$)

The Brahman Influence Index is a maternally focused index that is based on a production system that uses Brahman x Hereford cross cows. Progeny of these cows are directed towards a commodity beef market since Certified Hereford Beef does not accept Brahman influenced cattle. This index has significant weight on Sustained Cow Fertility, which predicts fertility and longevity of females. There is a slightly positive weight on Weaning Weight, Mature Cow Weight and Milk which accounts for enough growth but ensures females do not increase inputs. There is some negative emphasis on Dry Matter Intake, but a positive weighting on Carcass Weight which is anticipated to provide profitability in finishing non-replacement females and castrated males. Marbling and Rib-eye Area are also positively weighted to keep harvested progeny successful for a variety of commodity based programs. This index targets producers that use Hereford bulls on Brahman influenced cows.

Certified Hereford Beef Index (CHB$)

The Certified Hereford Beef Index is a terminal sire index that is built on a production system where Hereford bulls are mated to mature commercial Angus cows and all progeny will be targeted for Certified Hereford Beef after the finishing phase. This index has significant weight on Carcass Weight to ensure profit on the rail. As well there is a positive weighting for Average Daily Gain along with a negative weighting on Dry Matter Intake to ensure efficient pounds of growth in the finishing phase. Keep in mind, this production system takes advantage of complimentary breeding with the commercial Angus cow. Although Marbling is weighted positively in this index, a positive weighting for Rib-eye Area and a negative weighting for Back Fat are a greater priority in this index to allow for optimum end-product merit. This is the only index that has no emphasis on fertility. Remember that no replacement heifers are being retained.