22 minute read
Where Sustainability and Stewardship Just Come Natural
River Bend Ranch: Where Sustainability and Stewardship Just Come Natural
By Macey Mueller for the Red Angus Magazine
The I-70 drive through semi-arid eastern Colorado could seem stark to some, but waiting on the west side of Limon is a hidden gem on the High Plains where surface water may be short but a love for the land and quality Red Angus genetics runs deep at River Bend Ranch.
For nearly 40 years, Joe Frasier and his family have taken a holistic approach to managing their land resources. He and his two brothers realized early on that to be successful in an area with only 14 inches of annual precipitation, they would need to operate in a way that encouraged good grass growth and allowed for necessary rest.
Cattle on the River Bend Ranch graze rangeland divided into 78 paddocks, some as small as 10 acres near working facilities but most ranging from 110 to 200 acres. Many are set up like wagon wheels, with a water source in the middle and fences serving as the spokes. Depending on current conditions, cattle are moved every four to eight days to maximize the available nutrients, plant growth and biodiversity in each paddock. “Our grazing rotations are important to our overall ranch philosophy and management system,” Frasier said. “Not only have we been able to improve the different species of grasses
Three generations of the Frasier family currently live and work on the River Bend Ranch, including Ronny and Kelsey Pope and their children, Chisum and Conagher; Cindy and Joe Frasier; and Lindsay and Ryan Frasier and their children, Maelle, Tucker and Genevieve. Emily Frasier lives in Kansas, but has an interest in ranch activities and owns cattle that run with the family herd.
Because of their strong grazing ability, Red Angus cattle thrive at River Bend Ranch, located at 5,500 to 5,600 feet elevation in semi-arid eastern Colorado.
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that we have, but there’s also been several droughty years that we’ve been able to extend our grazing beyond what others have because we have stockpiles that we’ve been resting.”
Frasier’s daughter, Kelsey Pope, said the most recent ongoing drought has been especially tough, but her family’s history of forage management allows for a quicker recovery when the moisture does come.
“We essentially want the cattle to take one bite off of a plant – basically giving it a haircut – and then move on to the next one to really help keep the grass at its best,” she said. “Then when we get a couple inches of rain, everything greens up pretty fast.
“It really doesn’t take much for it to bounce back; it’s a challenge but it’s also a blessing that we can survive on so little.”
In addition to learning how to properly manage their forage resources, the Frasiers set out to improve their genetics with a breed that would increase carcass merit and that could
easily adapt to the sometimes challenging environmental conditions. Red Angus fit the bill.
“Red Angus cattle work really well here in our high-pasture area at 5,500 to 5,600 feet elevation,” Frasier said. “They are moderate-sized and are really good about going out and grazing. They’re not in an area with a lot of fescue or Bermuda that’s easy to graze; they have to go out and work it and they do that.”
As a stocker and small commercial cow-calf operation, the family introduced their first Red Angus genetics in the early 1980s. Over time, the Frasier brothers began operating independently, and today, Frasier and his wife, Cindy, run Red Angus cowcalf herds with their son, Ryan, his wife, Lindsay, Pope and her husband, Ronny, and five young grandchildren. Their daughter, Emily Frasier, works in the landscape design industry in Olathe, Kansas, but has an interest in ranch activities and owns cattle that run with the family herd.
River Bend Ranch is managed in three herds – heifers, embryo recips and mature cows – and each group is artificially inseminated about two weeks
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Lot Prefix ID HB HB% CED CED% BW BW% CEM CEM% STAY STAY% 2 GIEFJ51993 2 18 3 -5.4 4 10 5 20 5 6 GIEFJ551110 1 19 2 -5.9 3 11 2 21 1 19GIEFJ58995 2 20 1 -6.8 1 10 4 21 1 30GIEFJ544100 1 19 1 -6.0 2 11 2 21 3 39GIEFJ615101 1 21 1 -7.4 1 11 2 21 2
O ur H Ome On tHe r ange Of tHe g reat a merican P lains YOur sOurce fOr Prairie-PrOven PerfOrmance since 1999 Bernie & Nishi (DVM) Giefer, Bernard, Helen, Sybil & Wyndom WaKeeney, Kansas • www.GieferRanch.com
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The Red Angus Association of America and Santa Gertrudis Breeders International’s American Red Program is the commercial cattleman’s best choice for producing the best replacement females and best feeder steers for today’s value-added segment of the beef industry. When breeding for the best American Reds, why not use the best? RED DOC FUEGO 1032 is a commercial cattleman’s dream with a BW EPD that ranks in the top 2% of the breed among non-parent animals and a WW EPD in the top 1%, ensuring no dollars are left on the table at weaning. His actual 7.63 IMF scan combined with a Backfat EPD in the top 1% indicate his feeders will hit the industry’s end-point targets. Factor in a SGBI Balanced Index in the top 1%, RED DOC FUEGO 1032 is the best choice for breeding American Reds. Why not the best for your American Red Program?
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apart to help ease labor strain during calving season.
“We initially went to all AI because we were a commercial test herd for Red Angus for about 10 years and provided our collected data on young bulls to help prove their genetic merit,” Pope said. “Although we are no longer a test herd, we saw the value in that process and use it to continue making genetic improvements to our herd.”
To best utilize available forages and meet cows’ nutritional requirements throughout the year, calving at River Bend Ranch runs mid-April to midJune. Calves are placed on a VAC 45 pre-weaning vaccination program and then branded and fenceline weaned in November.
While the family often retains ownership, calves are also enrolled in the Red Angus Feeder Calf Certification Program to provide flexibility in marketing opportunities. They are backgrounded on the ranch and eventually sent to feedyards in eastern Colorado and western Kansas.
Naturally produced fed cattle – those raised without injectable antibiotics or growth hormones – are marketed to Meyer Natural Foods and are required to live 75% of their lives outside of a confined pen and can only receive basic respiratory, clostridial and corona vaccinations.
Meyer adheres to the Global Animal Partnership sustainability and stewardship program, commonly known as G.A.P., which requires an extensive audit of humane handling, herd health and nutrition protocols every 15 months. To help accommodate the auditing process and to improve overall management of their herds, the family uses a robust cloud-based record keeping system to track calving and weaning dates and weights, vaccinations and herd health records, breeding and pedigree records and sold animals. They have also started their own successful branded beef program – Private Label Locker Beef – which Frasier said continues to grow by word-of-mouth advertising.
“We’re only an hour from Denver and had some friends there who originally approached us about selling our beef directly to them, and now the word just continues to spread,” he said. “We really look at it as an opportunity to talk with our urban customers about the whole beef cycle and have even invited some of them out to the ranch for tours.
“We’ve had visitors who were very interested in knowing about our antibiotic usage and overall approach to caring for the animals, and our record keeping system made it pretty easy to show them it’s something we take very seriously.”
With a commitment to environmental stewardship and sound animal hus-
bandry practices at the forefront of their operation, River Bend Ranch was recently awarded the distinguished 2022 Beef Quality Assurance Cow-Calf Award.
The recognition is a culmination of the low-stress handling techniques, cattle health management protocols and enhanced record keeping efforts that Frasier and Pope said come natural on their ranch.
From the rotational paddock system that creates opportunities to handle the cattle more often, to the portable corral system complete with Bud Box and Silencer animal restraint device, Frasier said reducing animal stress is always the goal.
“Most of our cows get to a point where they see us coming, and internally, they know it’s time to move to new grass,” he said. “Even when we’re leading them into a working facility, they know something is going to happen, He also attributes much of his family’s success with BQA to having the same veterinarian for nearly 20 years.
“A strong veterinarian relationship is an important step in BQA and has really helped our family establish certain criteria for administering antibiotics, and if there’s a treatment to be made, how to do it and document it correctly,” he said.
As the fifth generation of the Frasier family becomes active on the ranch, Pope said BQA principles are key in teaching proper handling techniques, where and when vaccinations and antibiotics should be given and how to best respect the animals.
“Our entire family is BQA-certified, and we have welfare practices in place because we think it’s the right thing to do,” she said. “It’s also important for our industry as a whole, especially to show consumers that this is something we do voluntarily to go a step above to care for our animals and produce safe and nutritious beef.
“We feel very blessed to be living this lifestyle and want to ensure that we are sustainable enough for the next generation to have the same opportunity.” //
DeSigneDfoR efficiency & PRofitABilityeSigneD foR
DeveloPeDfoR DeveloPeD foR ocility, SounDneSS & longevity
Selling 210 Red Angus Bulls Selling 75 Black Red Angus Selling 75 Black Red Angus Selling 175 Angus Bulls Selling 75 SimAngus Bulls
Selling 150 Red Angus Females Selling 50 Angus Females Selling 300 Commercial Bred Heifers
Selling 25 Ranching Heritage Selling 25 Ranching Heritage Quarter Horses Quarter Horses A Bucket List Event - 127 Years in the Making!
- 2 Amazing Days - Over 1000 Head of Cattle - Over 2000 Meals Served -2 Amazing Days - Over 1000 Head of Cattle - Over 2000 Meals Served -
• Over 4000 years of beef industry experience sitting on our bleachers •Over 4000 years of beef industry experience sitting on our bleachers • Countless happy, (but perhaps filthy) children playing in the sandpile •Countless happy, (but perhaps filthy) children playing in the sandpile • 550 Bulls (Angus, Red Angus, SimAngus) •550 Bulls (Angus, Red Angus, SimAngus) • 3 breeds with large selection •3 breeds with large selection • 300 “Hand-Picked” Commercial Bred Heifers •300 “Hand-Picked” Commercial Bred Heifers • 1 Night of Live Entertainment •1 Night of Live Entertainment • 110+ Year old Chuckwagon serving you breakfast •110+ Year old Chuckwagon serving you breakfast • 150 Breed Impacting Registered Red Angus Females •150 Breed Impacting Registered Red Angus Females • 4 generations of Brown Family to greet you •4 generations of Brown Family to greet you • 50 “Elite Profit” Registered Angus Females •50 “Elite Profit” Registered Angus Females • 25 Ranching Heritage Quarter Horses •25 Ranching Heritage Quarter Horses • $7.7 million returned to customers through the heifer sale •$7.7 million returned to customers through the heifer sale • 48 years of October Sales in Throckmorton, TX •48 years of October Sales in Throckmorton, TX
Mission Statement: We are continually striving to improve the sustainability and efficiency of converting God’s forage into safe, nutritious and great tasting beef to better feed His people.
R. A. BROWN RANCH
To learn more about Red Choice and how to enroll heifers,visit RedAngus.org.
Use Red Choice to improve heifer development, increase marketing opportunities for Red Angus females and create reliable sources of high-quality replacement heifers for cattle producers.
Red Choice Requirements
• Heifers Enrolled in a Red Angus Value-Added Program • Vaccination Protocol • Pelvic Measurement/Tract Score • Phenotypic Assessment • Planned Mating to Eligible Sires • Pregnancy Exam
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Not a USDA Process-Verified Program Yearly $50 enrollment fee, $1.25/ tag, five-head minimum 840-compliant EIDs available upon request
Private Treaty Fall Cows
Selling 24 October-calving cows and heifers from the heart of our herd
It’s hard to sell these top-producers ...
October-born calves don’t thrive in our brutal North Dakota winters so we are offering these top females for sale. View the complete online catalog by scanning the QR code or visiting our website or Facebook page. Information includes foot, udder and disposition scores, ultrasound calving data, complete pedigrees, EPDs and performance data.
Daughters by: 3SCC Domain A163 • WFL Merlin 018A • Lorenzen Warrant 8273 Leland Marksman 6629 • VGW Megatron 403P
View online catalog with foot, udder and disposition scores. Steve & Tracey Koester Steele, ND (701)400-1611 cell KoesterRedAngus.com koester@bektel.com
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Order test kits by contacting the DNA Department: 940-387-3502, Ext. 14 • dna@redangus.org
By Megan Underwood, Communications Intern The Red Angus Association of America welcomes Kaitlyn Fulmer and Stephanie Johnson to the member services department. Fulmer and Johnson will assist members with inventory management, registrations, transfers, REDSPro software use and data submissions of various types.
“Their enthusiasm of being a part of the Association has been evident from the very beginning,” said Halla Pfeiff, director of office operations. “Both Kaitlyn and Stephanie come to RAAA with industry experience and will help RAAA and its members propel forward. Their desire to serve the Red Angus membership is at a high level, with meeting each member’s unique needs being a priority.”
Kaitlyn Fulmer
Fulmer graduated from Colorado State University in May of 2022 with degrees in agricultural business and animal science. While at CSU, she served as the College of Agricultural Services Council President, a College of Agricultural Sciences Ambassador, and was a member of the 2021-2022 Seedstock Merchandising Team. Her team won division champion pen of three Hereford heifers at the 2022 National Western Stock Show and reached new high-selling records in the annual CSU bull and female sale.
Fulmer has worked as a National Western Stock Show marketing intern, Black Hill Stock Show livestock intern and an Art of the Cowgirl intern. Aside from RAAA, Fulmer runs a solo photography business for livestock shows and sales. She hopes to start her own herd of beef cattle in the future.
“Working for a breed association is something I’ve wanted to do for years, and for it to happen right out of college was a dream come true. I’m looking forward to building connections within the Red Angus breed and throughout the cattle industry as a whole,” said Fulmer.
Stephanie Johnson
Stephanie Johnson graduated from Colorado State University in 2020 with a degree in animal science and a minor in biomedical science. During college, she worked on several cow-calf operations in northern Colorado, at horse breeding facilities and veterinary clinics. Her first job after college was working on a cattle processing crew for several feedlots near Greeley, Colorado.
“I am extremely excited to be working for the Red Angus Association of America alongside producers to enhance the breed and contribute to improving the livestock industry as a whole,” expressed Johnson. “I am looking forward to building relationships and being able to assist our membership in improving and recording their data.”
Outside of her career pursuits, Johnson enjoys being outdoors fly fishing, working cattle and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband live and work on a cow-calf operation. //
Kaitlyn Fulmer Stephanie Johnson
September 14-16, 2022 Kalispell, Montana
Register
for National Red Angus Convention today at
RedAngus.org. Register early!
Reserve
your room at the Hilton Garden Inn. Call 406-765-4500 to make your reservation using code: RED ANGUS Commercial Cattlemen’s Symposium Women’s Symposium
Thursday, Sept. 15 – Friday, Sept. 16
National Red Angus Convention, Trade Show and Banquet
For 69 years, the National Red Angus Convention has been an opportunity for producers, breeders affiliates and industry partners to come together from across the country and celebrate the Red Angus breed.
The Red Angus Foundation Inc. will host their annual auction fundraiser headlined with the popular “Pick of the Herd” donated this year by Feddes Red Angus of Manhattan, Montana.
The fundraiser will take place on Thursday, Sept. 15.
Support for RAFI ensures a strong future for the Red Angus breed by funding research and development as well as bolstering leadership development for juniors.
The bustling ballrooms of Kalispell, Montana, will soon be filled with innovative and forward-thinking cattlemen and women during the 69th annual National Red Angus Convention. The Commercial Cattlemen’s Symposium, hosted by the Red Angus Association of America, is sure to be a highlight of the convention and will offer beef producers the tools and knowledge they need to strengthen their operations and improve their profitability.
This year’s symposium, held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell on Wednesday, Sept. 14, will feature a diverse, experienced group of speakers guaranteed to offer valuable insight to attendees.
“We are thrilled to continue offering commercial cattlemen and women free educational events during the annual National Red Angus Convention. As the Commercial Marketing Team, it is always exhilarating to bring so many commercial operations – our customers – together for this event. Red Angus has always been focused on the cow, and with the release of our new Red Choice program, we are excited to share many of the aspects that go into heifer development during this year’s symposium,” said Nolan Woodruff, commercial marketing specialist.
The symposium will kick-off with Jordan Thomas, Ph.D., assistant professor and state beef reproduction specialist in the Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri, with his keynote titled, “The Building Blocks of a Profitable Commercial Cow: What Do Heifers Need to Do?”
The symposium will feature a heifer nutrition panel featuring Jeff Heidt, Ph.D., beef technical services lead and U.S. ruminant innovation lead with Micronutrients USA LLC, and Dr. Brain Fieser, nutrition support specialist for ADM Animal Nutrition discussing the “Pros and Cons of Low vs. High Input.”
“The Importance of Good Heifer Nutrition” will be the keynote address of John Hall, Ph.D., professor and Extension beef cattle specialist at the University of Idaho Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center where he also served as the station superintendent.
A heifer marketing panel will provide the opportunities to collaborate and innovate with Dave Patterson, Ph.D., chancellor’s professor in the Division of Animal Sciences at the University of Missouri, and producers John Maddux and John Price.
The symposium will conclude with a keynote address, “Genomic Technologies for Selection of Replacement Heifers,” from Jared Decker, Ph.D., Wurdack chair in animal genomics and an associate professor in the University of Missouri Division of Animal Science, Genetics Area Program.
Additionally, the popular ladies’ symposium will once again be offered featuring Terryn Drieling, Faith Family & Beef creator and certified Enneagram coach, which will begin at 1 p.m.
“The Commercial Cattlemen’s Symposium is one of Red Angus’ premier events every year, offering insightful information from the beef industry’s top thinkers. This year’s focus on heifer development, reproduction and marketing centered around the newly released Red Choice program should be especially timely for commercial producers as some areas of the country begin rebuilding the cowherd,” said Harold Bertz, RAAA director of commercial marketing.
The RAAA trade show will be open throughout the day and the symposium will conclude with a Montana social hour and dinner, followed by cowboy poet, Ryan Fritz. The education program and lunch are both free and open to cattlemen and women from all breed interests, however registration is encouraged for accurate meal preparation. For more information and to register for the event, visit RedAngus.org. //
