Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy Magazine – West/Southwest, Winter–Spring 2021

Western Farm, Ranch & Dairy The vital resource of the Ag Industry

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West–Southwest

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Winter-Spring edition 2021

Planter Makeovers for Every Budget

Baker Angus Genetic Extra Sale 17th Annual Bull Sale Feb. 26, 2022

Stukenholtz Laboratory Inc. Celebrating 51 Years of Agricultural Testing www.FarmRanchDairy.com

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contents Western Farm, Ranch & Dairy West/Southwest • Winter-Spring Edition 2021

Western Farm, Ranch & Dairy Magazine

Agriculture

President / CEO Michael Ritz

Stukenholtz Laboratory Inc. Celebrating 51 Years of Agricultural Testing .................................................................... 8 Planter Makeovers for Every Budget ............................................................................. 10 Dalton Ag Products: Simple. Durable. American. ........................................................... 11 Exploding Costs Require Farmers to Grow Smarter Discarding “Traditional” Practices: Now Use Less To Make More .................................. 12

mikeritz@ritzfamilypublishing.com

a Ritz Family Publication

Executive V.P. Operations Robert Davis rdavis@ritzfamilypublishing.com

General Manager Brenda Stoner brenda@ritzfamilypublishing.com

Office Manager Chelsea Pierce

Equipment C & R Supply, Inc. Birth of a Sprayer…the Family Expands ....................................................................... 16 Stainless Steel Air Seeder Parts The solution to your corrosion problems! ...................................................................... 17

chelsea@ritzfamilypublishing.com

Sales Kevin Davis kevin@farmranchdairy.com

Pat Drury pat@ritzfamilypublishing.com

Livestock

Bill Hughes

Catch A Ride On The Feed Train® .................................................................................. 20 Beefmaster Heterosis Can Impact Any Herd .................................................................. 21 Brown Weight Valve – A Valve You Can Love ................................................................. 22 Baker Angus Genetic Extra Sale 17th Annual Bull Sale Feb. 26, 2022 ............................................................................. 23

Danny Nicolay

Departments

Corporate Office Ritz Family Publishing, Inc. 714 N Main St., Meridian, ID 83642

bill@farmranchdairy.com

Marketplace..................................................................................................................24 Advertiser Index ........................................................................................................... 25

danny@farmranchdairy.com

www.ritzfamilypublishing.com

Sales For all sales inquiries, call toll free: 1(800) 330-3482 or 1(208) 955-0124

Front cover: Photo courtesy of Baker Angus.

sales@ritzfamilypublishing.com

Subscriptions For a subscription or to change your existing address, call toll free: 1(800) 330-3482 or 1(208) 955-0124 info@ritzfamilypublishing.com

Printed By Owyhee Publishing, Homedale, ID Copyright© 2021. All rights reserved.

Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of this publication, however, the publisher does not assume responsibility for omissions or typographical errors.

The publisher does not assume responsibility or is liable for the contents of any advertising herein. Publisher’s liability for errors in an advertisement is limited to a correct insertion in the next publication. In the event of a misprint, the publisher must be informed of such error prior to printing of the next publication.

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Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy • 5

agriculture

Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS.

6 • Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy

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“To Harvest The Best, Plant The Best!”

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Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy • 7

Stukenholtz Laboratory Inc.

Celebrating 51 Years of Agricultural Testing

I

n 1970, there were no commercial soil and plant testing laboratories in Idaho. Farmers applied fertilizers based upon educated guesswork. Dr. Dale Stukenholtz and his wife Joyce saw an opportunity to build a business and started a soil and plant testing laboratory and field consulting service based in Twin Falls, Idaho. Dr. Stukenholtz had an unusually diverse background as an educator at the University of Nebraska, an agronomist in the fertilizer industry, and a farmer, and he saw a need for more modern fertilizer recommendations to produce greater yields at less cost. His clients were the growers, so he could make unbiased recommendations that maximized economic return to the farmer. After extensive field research, he developed these improved fertilizer recommendations that quickly became popular with growers and form the basis for nearly all fertilizer applications in the intermountain west area. Stukenholtz Laboratory clients include growers from all neighboring states and several foreign countries including Australia, Canada, Egypt, Russia, Mexico and New Zealand.

Stukenholtz Laboratory provides 1 to 2 day service, including picking up and delivery time, across Southern Idaho from St. Anthony and Grace to Parma and Homedale. Results can be delivered, mailed, faxed, or pulled from the Laboratory’s webpage: www.stukenholtz.com.

To improve their service, Joyce and Dale Stukenholtz expanded the laboratory 24 years ago, installed the latest in computerized instrumentation and quality control, and made it the most modern and well equipped agricultural laboratory in their market area.

Critical to the success of Idaho’s most efficient laboratory and largest field consulting firm has been its personnel. Dr. Stukenholtz has had a PhD in Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition since 1964 and his son and Laboratory Manager Paul has nearly completed his own. Consulting agronomists include

J.P. Kruckeberg of American Falls, a 42 year veteran of field consulting and the most successful single agronomist in the state, and Bart Kunz. The Laboratory and office staff are equally good.

Analysis room at Stukenholtz Laboratory Inc.

Stukenholtz Laboratory continues with research and improvement. In conjunction with the Idaho Crop Production Association and University of Idaho CFEP research project, Stukenholtz Laboratory has helped to ensure that fertilizer recommendations in Idaho are the most cost efficient possible and produce the maximum economic yield while protecting the environment. Stukenholtz Laboratory personnel have conducted field research on over 40 different products and continue to be the experts at “cutting edge” agricultural technology. As we end our first 50 years of business and begin our next, we would like to thank our current and former employees for their dedicated work and our customers and clients for their years of support. e

STUKENHOLTZ LABORATORY Inc. Agricultural Consulting & Testing

• Soil Testing • Irrigation Scheduling • Feed Analysis • Contract Research

• Tissue Testing • Pest Management • Field Research • Grid Sampling

• Variable Rate Fertilization • International Testing • Agronomic and CCA Seminars • Nematode Testing

Contact: Paul Stukenholtz, Consulting Agronomist

Agronomists: JP Kruckeberg, Bart Kunz, Cameron Brower, Antone Christensen, Wess Gibson, Cody McCoy, Kevin Victor

208-734-3050 • 800-759-3050 • Fax 208-734-3919 P.O. Box 353 • 2924 Addison Ave E. • Twin Falls, ID 83301

E-mail: frontoffice@stukenholtz.com Website: www.stukenholtz.com 8 • Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy

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R & M STEEL COMPANY METAL BUILDINGS Barns / Dairy

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Worldwide Sales & Distribution 53 Years of Manufacturing Excellence

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Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy • 9

Planter Makeovers for Every Budget

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ommodity prices got you feeling the pinch? Neglecting planter maintenance will have you feeling greater pain next fall. We specialize in high performance, low maintenance planters at comparable OEM prices. Our goal is to give you the best return on your planter maintenance dollars. We also have the expertise to help you set your planter for all tillage conditions without wasting money on ill-chosen planter attachments. Get the performance and peace of mind that a cast-iron shank has over its stamped metal predecessor. We offer an upgrade to convert JD MaxEmerge2(+) row units to an XP shank. They won’t bend or break like the old-style shanks.

We are your meter specialists with our portable Precision Planting MeterMax Ultra test stand. Identify issues of meter wear and choose crop kits for all your seed, including specialty crops. As Premier-Elite Precision Planting dealers, we

10 • Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy

offer their full product line that will embrace your planter’s ability to enhance your yields. We offer year-round, onfarm service. We have store locations in

West/Southwest

Wendell and Caldwell, ID with seasonal hours. Check us out at sagelysown.com or call (208) 495-3178 to find answers to your planter agronomic questions. e

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Dalton Ag Products: Simple. Durable. American.

D

alton Ag is a leading manufacturer of high performance fertilizer application equipment for agriculture, located in the heart of the Corn Belt in Lenox, Iowa.

Founded in 1996 by local entrepreneur Dick Dalton, 2021 marks the 25th anniversary of Dalton Ag. The Company offers a wide range of fertilizer application equipment under two brands: Dalton and Mobility.

The Dalton line consists of toolbars and liquid applicators for in-ground injection of anhydrous ammonia and liquid nitrogen, plus the associated wagons, tanks, nurse trailers and row units. These products are designed for commercial row crop producers and have working widths of up to 90 feet. Dalton toolbars have industry leading wing down-flex for consistent depth on uneven ground, greaseless pivot points, and are available with 6”x 6” steel tube frames for additional strength in difficult soils. Dalton products are available in a number of colors to match the customer‘s fleet, including blue, red, green and black.

The Mobility line, with its white and black livery, is designed for the spreading of dry material such as fertilizer and lime before, during and after the growing season. The spreaders come in either row crop or tandem walking axle models, and

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Mobility Model 600 Row Crop Dry Fertilizer Spreader

have weight capacities of up to 12 tons.

Dalton Ag has built a solid reputation on designing and fabricating farm equipment that is simple, durable and American.

Dalton and Mobility are both names that farmers and dealers can count on.

For more information, contact Dalton Ag at 1-800-342-7498, email office@daltonag.com or visit www.daltonag.com. e

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Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy • 11

Exploding Costs Require Farmers to Grow Smarter Discarding “Traditional” Practices: Now Use Less To Make More

By Noel Garcia, CCA – Chief Operating Officer & Senior Consultant, TPS Lab

W

hile farmers have always had to carefully manage inputs costs, 2020 ushered in a new era of even more daunting problems of which every farmer is now painfully aware. And indications are that all costs and other problems will continue to escalate for the foreseeable future.

Farmers had already been trimming seed and chemical expenses since 2016, now they must determine where there may be some more room to cut further. Unfortunately, many start cutting in areas that affect overall production such as fertilizer, chemicals, consultants, and testing. This will undoubtedly lead to a decrease in yields with the current high expenses result in a poor return on investment. Cutting input costs that lower yields is a very poor choice when trying to solve the cost price squeeze. Maximum Economic Yields (MEY) come from spreading fixed costs over high yields to lower the unit costs of production. As fertilizer prices increase, increasing crop yields offers more opportunities than reducing traditional methods of fertilizer applications to increase profits.

Fertilizer prices are skyrocketing, slamming farmers already buckling under the strain of rising costs. Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP) and Diammonium phosphate (DAP) increased from $250/Ton in June 2020 to over $700/Ton in October 2021. Urea was averaging $250/Ton in January 2019 to over $600/Ton in October 2021.

More than any time before, farmers can’t afford to guess about fertilizer use. TPS Lab’s Ask The Plant® program including Plant Natural® Soil test and Ask The Plant® Sap Analysis provide precision answers. These tests can net out huge savings in fertilizer costs by using only the amounts needed by the crop.

Following the “4 ‘R’s” of Nutrient Stewardship provides a framework to achieve cropping systems goals, such as increased production, increased profitability, enhanced environmental protection and improved sustainability. To achieve these goals farmers must apply the Right Fertilizer source at the Right Rate, at the Right Time and in the Right Place.

The implementation of Best Management Practices (BMP) that optimize the efficiency of fertilizer use is also a requirement. Fertilizer BMP must match nutrient supply with crop targets to minimize nutrient losses from fields.

Efficiency of fertilizer recovery (how much of the nutrient applied did the plant actually take up?) can be greatly improved by balanced soil fertility and use of biological inoculants, bio-stimulants such as organic acids and hormones that improve physiological actions of plants.

TPS Lab’s Ask The Plant® fertility program can dramatically improve the applied fertilizer efficiency while decreasing input costs (Range from 15 – 40% reduction in this time of high fertilizer costs), improving yields and return on invest12 • Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy

ment. Sustainable long-term profitability starts with topsoil and subsoil analysis (Plant Natural® Soil Test) that is truly calibrated to actual plant uptake. The recommendations will set a nutrient budget for the season that will be tweaked inseason with Ask The Plant® Sap Analysis that allows the crop to make the final decisions on its needs.

Otherwise, how are we to know what the plant requirements are at each stage of growth with so many factors that influence the plant nutrient utilization (biotic and abiotic stresses)?

Normal recovery of fertilizer applied: Nitrogen (N) 60 – 80% Phosphorous (P2O5) 15 – 30% Potassium (K2O) 55 – 70% TPS Lab’s Ask The Plant® fertility program can improve recovery to: Nitrogen (N) 90 – 95% Phosphorous (P2O5) 50 – 70% Potassium (K2O)

75 – 90% Timing Is Everything! Example: We most often see farmers applying high-N “pop-up” starter fertilizers at planting – or especially in the Midwest, with its high organic matter and cool, damp soils, applying N as either Urea or Anhydrous in the Fall to “warehouse” it to the Spring. But Soil makes a very inefficient and leaky warehouse! So, at least some N is lost during the Winter for what’s left to be available to the crop at sprouting – when it needs that N the least, to be finally be depleted by the time the crop needs it the most – same as when it is used as part of a pop-up. Money lost in inefficient and unnecessary use of Nitrogen! That money would have been much better spent on P and K to build roots at pre-plant!

Correcting soil nutrients for balanced nutrient supply is essential for a healthy crops and soil. Maintain with balanced fertilizer (Macro and Micronutrients) plus adjuvants to increase uptake efficiency for best return on costs. Feeding the crop what, when and how much it needs for maximum returns of yield and quality is critical for healthy plants that require less herbicides, fungicides and pesticides. Only TPS Lab adjusts plant sufficiency standards to fit needs according to crop physiology that change with age.

This allows maximizing the plant genetic potential by beginning the sap testing as early as the 3-4 leaf stage unlike “traditional” sampling programs that don’t begin until late vegetative or early reproductive stage. By that time, you have limited your potential production by missing key essential physiological triggers (micronutrients and stress) that enhance yield and quality early in the vegetative stage of growth.

More money lost at harvest.

Some key physiological principles to key in mind:

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• Plants eat and drink every day • Nitrogen and Potash utilize about 1 pound per day of each nutrient and 1/5 to 1/3 as much Phosphate balanced with other minerals and micronutrients – varies among crops • The soil is a poor and expensive store house for N, P & Micronutrients (Zn, Fe. Mn, Cu, B, Mo, Co, Se, Si) – apply only as needed for best cost effectiveness!

• Only Ask The Plant® Sap Analysis can tell you what, when and how much nutrients are needed to maximize genetic potential • Proper adjuvants improve performance: Amino Acids, Humic Acids, Fulvic Acids, Phytohormones, Soil Inoculants, etc.

• Soil Health compromised of a diverse population of bacteria and fungi is vital for nutrient recycling and disease suppression • There are no “Absolutes in Nature” – constantly changing every season. No magic formulas or miracle cures!

Maintaining balanced nutrition and vigorous soil life at every stage of your plants’ life cycle will ensure that no matter what challenge Mother Nature sends, your crops will have the best

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chance of making you money. Soil, Water and Sap testing is one of the best investments a grower can make, especially during these times of uncertainty with exorbitant fertilizer prices.

These tools will help you understand where you need to focus your energy and resources. The goal is to provide the best possible environment for your crops. When we correct our soil’s nutritional imbalances, we facilitate maintaining adequate levels of nutrients in our plants as they develop.

As crops grow, their nutritional needs change and meeting those needs will greatly reduce the harmful stresses that prevent the plant from reaching is maximum genetic potential. Simultaneously, we reduce the need for insecticides and fungicides that reduce overall profit.

The use of consultants willing to council you about your plans and goals is advisable. Plan and prepare for a successful crop by learning what your soil needs to be healthy and what you need to restore that health. Include soil inoculants and cover crops in your plan and you will ensure vital relationships are maintained in the plant root environment for the entire season which will ensure your best bottom line. e

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equipment

Photo courtesy of C&R Supply, Inc.

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Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy • 15

C & R Supply, Inc.

Birth of a Sprayer…the Family Expands

A

fter carefully listening to customers who were disappointed with the performance or lack of features in ATV sprayers available, C & R Supply set out to design a series, or family of sprayers to meet their needs.

The family began with the EZ ATV Sprayer which features a unique tank design that was created with input from customers and ATV manufacturers. Using this input, and keeping the operator in mind the EZ ATV Sprayer was designed for ease of operation, functional ability and safety. The design was a success! This unit has been in demand since 1998 and continues to hold a strong presence in the market today.

The EZ ATV Sprayer has a sleek design which brings the weight forward and more to a center of gravity for better machine balance.

Allowing the legs of the tank to wrap around the fenders of the ATV gives the sprayers dual sumps maximum drainage and the ability to run on side hills without losing its prime. The pump,

strainer, and main shut off are mounted underneath the tank in a protected cavity, which also serves as a dual slosh baffle.

The top of the tank is designed with a fill catch area to prevent chemical from getting on the operator. The EZ Sprayer is fitted with a 4 gpm Shurflo Pump and a quality Tee-Jet trigger style handgun in the convenient control panel at your side. All brackets and boomless nozzle or boom accessories are attached to the tank for quick and easy mounting. The EZ ATV Sprayer has several different options and accessories to meet your needs.

As time went on customers began seeing a need in their operation for UTV’s. C & R Supply responded by expanding their family of sprayers. The UTV sprayer was born and it was named the C & R Slide In after its ability to be easily slid on and off the bed of the UTV as needed. The sprayer is mounted on a powder coated frame which allows the unit to be transferred as a single piece of equipment. This sprayer, like its elder sibling, was built with only the highest of quality components. The Slide In features a 60 gal tank, left and right electric controls with wiring harness, a Shurflo 4gm by pass pump, and Boominator nozzles which can spray a width of up to 30 feet. An 8 inch hand gun from Tee Jet with adjustable tip for hand spraying is also included. The Slide In sprayer has options and accessories available to meet the needs of your operation including a convenient retractable hose reel add on and additional boom options.

Tired of Cheap, Throw-Away ATV Sprayers?

The Sport Utility Sprayer

FEATURES:

- Left and right electric controls with wiring harness standard - Shurflo bypass pump - Boominator nozzles spray a width of 30 feet - Includes hand gun with adjustable nozzle

60 Gallon Tank mounted on a powder coated frame for the bed of your sport utility vehicle 3610 North Cliff Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104

1-800-322-2637 www.crsupply.com Fax: 1-605-338-6015

16 • Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy

C & R Supply, Inc. is a distributor and manufacturer of agricultural and roadside spray equipment located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. For over 40 years, C & R Supply, Inc. has been a leader in the distribution and servicing of many quality products from Raven Industries, Spraying Systems, Banjo, and more. They also lead the way in designing and manufacturing new and advanced products as their customer needs change.

This family of quality sprayers began with the introduction of the C & R Foam Marker and Spot Sprayer which progressed to the units we are featuring here today. C & R is a provider of precision ag products such as GPS guidance systems, variable rate controllers, mapping, steering assist systems, and chemical injection units. C & R Supply prides themselves on having the knowledge and experience to continually advance their product line to keep up with ever changing technology in a way that helps producers maximize their output. e West/Southwest

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Stainless Steel Air Seeder Parts The solution to your corrosion problems!

R

omafa Metal Works realized the enormity of the problem that exists of the many corroding air seeder parts and farmers’ and ranchers’ desperate needs for a solution. Romafa, through careful planning, designing, and testing, developed stainless steel replacement air seeder parts for multiple brands of air seeders.

Romafa Metal Works found by using stainless steel for the replacement part those parts are stronger and more durable. The parts can handle a lot more stress before showing signs of wear and tear. Plus in addition to being more rust resistant, the replacement parts are also more resistant to staining, and – well, let’s face it – they look better too.

You no longer need throw money at a relatively temporary solution only to see it rust away almost before your eyes. Instead, replacing your corroded air seeder parts with Romafa’s parts made of stainless steel will be a lasting

improvement and solution.

How it started Back in 2012 Ronald Kornelsen left his job as a designer and started a small family business with his wife, Marcela, and their family, doing welding, machining, and repair work for the local agricultural and cattle ranching community.

Ronald, with his experience with designing and prototypes in the metalwork industry, also offered these skills to fill the needs of his customers and help bring their ideas to fruition.

Romafa (from the first two letters each of ROnald, MArcela, and FAm-

ily) Metal Works very quickly became known as a productive and venturesome business.

Soon local as well as distant customers came to them to have their machinery repaired and/or improved. New ideas were offered, designed, built, and tested.

For Romafa, this created many opportunities for growth as a business, and with the help and expertise of their innovative employees, they have grown to be a business with many different products and projects.

For more information on our stainless steel air seeder parts, our light weight yet durable boom for ditch sprayer trucks, our alfalfa seed sieves for combines (reduces the curls among your alfalfa seed by at least 50 per cent), or if you have a project of your own you need help with, visit our website at www.Romafa.com, or call Jim Kinnaman at 204-364-2244. e

We are a High Quality manufacturer that stands behind our products. MADE IN NORTH AMERICA

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livestock

Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS.

18 • Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy

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We can customize to

fit all your needs

Call or Email us today for a full brochure

blue river WATererS www.blueriver-iecp.com blueriveriecp@yahoo.com 866-588-2211

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Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy • 19

Great Products Built to Last from Feed Train

Catch A Ride On The Feed Train®

I

NEW UTV FEEDER  600 lb capacity  Unloads in less than 2 minutes  Translucent tank makes feed visible  4” auger services several different types of feed  Large lid opening for easy fill 1000# Capacity Now Available

Optional Scale Now Available

n his previous career, before becoming a manufacturer, Bob Lutz was a cattle farmer. As such, he was always looking for ways to save time and money and make life a little easier. Since he was running a rotational grazing system to conserve his pastures, he was spending a lot of time moving feed bunks. Thus the dream of the time and labor saving mobile feed bunk system came into existence.

In order for this system to work properly, a special steering mechanism was necessary to cope with the hilly terrain here in northern Missouri. Bob kept experimenting until he came up with the correct formula and put it into action for his own use. He then applied for and was granted a patent on the steering system.

The high quality construction of the Feed Train® mobile bunk led to requests for stationary bunks of the same quality and those were added to the product line. Next we were

receiving customer requests for creep feeders and these were designed so that no tools are required for set up, thus avoiding the “lost screwdriver syndrome.”

Customer requests for bulk bin storage followed and two sizes in portable bulk bins were developed – a 1.5-ton bin and a 3-ton bin. These sizes are also available as stationary units as well as a 5-ton bin. These bulk bin products are also used as seed tenders. And since most cattle farmers now use ATV or UTV units in their operations, we have created units for feeding from the seat of your vehicle.

Pull-behind units come in 500- and 1000-pound capacity. And the UTV unit that sits in the back of the vehicle holds 600 pounds. Scales are available for any of these units.

Take a look at our website at www.

FeedTrain.com or call us at 888-5922351 for additional information or to find a dealer near you. e

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS  ATV Feeders  Bulk Bins  Creep Feeders  Seed Tenders  Feed Bunks

LLC Unionville, MO (888) 592-2351 feedtrain@yahoo.com 20 • Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy for additional information visit:

www.feedtrain.com

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Beefmaster Heterosis Can Impact Any Herd

B

eefmaster is a beef breed developed in America that improves beef quality and production efficiency when crossed with any other cattle breed for commercial beef production. The breed originated in Southern Texas in the late 1800’s into the early 1900’s. The Lasater family originally developed a large herd of Hereford cattle carefully selected to withstand the heat and insects of the Texas Gulf Coast region, but they were still not perfectly suited to that difficult environment. So Lasater began to experiment with incorporating Bos indicus or Zebu genetics, in the form of Gyr and Guzerat bulls from India and Nelore from Brazil. While the practice of crossbreeding was virtually unheard of at the time, they immediately saw a tremendous jump in productive traits, such as weight gain and reproductive rates. This is genetic advantage known as heterosis or hybrid vigor.

By the early 1930’s, the ranch also incorporated Milking Shorthorn genetics, to augment milk production and carcass quality. They could immediately see that the three-way hybrid was far superior to the two-way crosses. The final composite ended up at roughly 50% Bos indicus and 50% Bos taurus (25% Hereford and 25% Shorthorn).

As Lasater developed the breed, he also formed a unique selection phi-

losophy known today as The Lasater Philosophy. The concept is to only select cattle for economically relevant traits, which he distilled to these Six Essential traits. It is the only breed in history to be selected only using pressure for productive traits, as opposed to aesthetics.

In 1937, the herd was closed to outside genetics with continued internal development to cull low-performers and upgrade all traits together equally. By 1954 the foundation herd was recognized by USDA under the name of Beefmaster.

The breed has rapidly grown around the world and has become known as the prime maternal cow for serious commercial cattlemen that appreciate their production excellence, particularly in harsh desert or tropical environments. The breed has excelled across most regions of the United States and is the leading breed of choice for commercial cattlemen in Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, Panama, Columbia and several other Latin American regions. With global demand for higher-quality beef growing geometrically, Beefmasters provide the perfect breed to cross on commercial cattle to improve production efficiency and carcass quality, while not sacrificing adaptability.

Commercial cattlemen have noted

substantial economic gains from using Beefmasters to provide an average increase of 60 lbs., or more at weaning when compared with other breeds.

They excel post-weaning as well, with faster weight gains, excellent feed conversion and carcass yields around 64%.

In a time when sustainability is becoming increasingly critical, Beefmasters have repeatedly demonstrated that they are highly efficient converters of both forage and feeds into lean, tender, high-quality beef. A recent study at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) demonstrated Beefmasters dominance when compared to 18 of the most widely used beef breeds in the United States.

Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) is headquartered in Boerne, Texas. Beefmaster ranks fifth in the U.S. in terms of membership and is the largest of the American breeds. The association has over 3,000 members registering around 19,000 calves annually.

Beefmasters also enjoy a rapidly growing international footprint, with established associations in eight countries worldwide. These innovative cattlemen have seen the tremendous strengths Beefmasters bring to their own genetic improvement programs. For more information about what Beefmasters can do for your operation, please visit us www.beefmasters.org. e

BEEFMASTERS.ORG

PROVEN MATERNAL. www.farmranchdairy.com

PROVEN EFFICIENCY. PROVEN HETEROSIS. West/Southwest

Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy • 21

Brown Weight Valve A Valve You Can Love Introducing the WEIGHT VALVE arry Brown, a former dairyman, has been developing and selling his weight valve–now guaranteed to last over 13 years. This valve is not a float valve. It uses a valve that is normally closed (a float valve is normally open, and the float holds the valve closed). This valve has a weight on an arm that pushes the spring-loaded valve open when the water level is lowered in the tank. The arm is adjustable for setting the water depth.

Brown’s weight valve uses a solid block of HDPE (high density polyethylene) mounted on the arm. HDPE is lighter than water and is the perfect weight for the valve. This block rests at the water’s surface. As water in the tank lowers, the weight pulls down on the arm, pushing the spring-loaded valve open and turning on the water.

As Brown developed his weight valve, he built it the way dairymen would want – heavy duty and built to last. The valve housing and weight are made of HDPE, and all metal parts are

G

“Several large dairies been using these valves more than 12 years and ain’t had to replace a’one of ‘em!”

Built To Last– Guaranteed For Life!

22 • Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy

made of stainless steel. It is built to last, priced competitively with other valves, and made in America.

Float valves have been the only device available to control the water level in any container, water trough, swamp cooler, and toilet tank for roughly two hundred years.

Can you think of any other device that uses two-hundredyear-old technology? There are variations that have had some success but most are not a dairyman’s favorite device.

That is changing. There is a water valve available that is not a float valve but operates on a new principle. There is finally a water valve that dairymen can love.

The arm on the regular size Brown Weight Valve is a oneeighth-inch-thick bar of stainless steel. The weight is a solid block of HDPE about the size of a brick and weighs about two pounds – these weights will never fail like a float will.

With a weight valve, the most pressure that can be put on the valve is the weight on the arm. The arm is hinged to push in on the valve – but not attached to the valve, so if the water level rises the weight will float up without putting pressure on the valve.

There are several different sizes of Brown’s valves that deliver from four gallons per minute to over twenty gallons per minute. Brown has put together many configurations, such as a valve with a short arm and a hanging weight, and an arm that allows the valve to be mounted under water. Other sizes and configurations as demand dictates.

Weight Valve FREEZE VALVE Brown has found a perfect freeze valve to use on the weight valve to keep water lines and valves from freezing. It is fully adjustable from a dribble to a full stream (with a 3/16 in. opening). The freeze valve, like the weight valves, are built to last. Moving water will not freeze. This valve can be closed to where it delivers a pin-point stream (it has to be left on with a solid stream) and can deliver as little as two gallons in three hours. You don’t need very much volume in your troughs to hold this additional water during the night when animals are not drinking.

The weight valve arm is adjustable so you can adjust it to shut off the water at a lower level during cold weather so the additional water added to the trough at night when a few animals will drink will not overfill the trough.

There are several freeze valves on the market that turn on a smaller stream of water when the water temperature approaches freezing. These are being sold for use with float valves. Since the water cannot rise any higher than the float’s shutoff without damaging the float valve, this requires an overflow drain to carry the additional water out of your corral. It would be very expensive to put

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underground drains in all troughs, and this water is wasted – adding further expense. There is one other way to keep troughs from freezing using a float – heat the trough. And that is expensive.

The arm of the weight valve is hinged so it only puts pressure down. If the water level is raised higher with a freeze valve, it puts no pressure on the valve or weight. The weight floats up with the rising water. By adjusting the small stream of water that the freeze valve delivers, it comes out of the valve at the water pressure in your water line, and runs toward the weight so it tends to keep the weight from freezing in the trough.

During really cold periods, it will keep the water line, the valve, and the area around the valve from freezing. When the animals start drinking in the morning, the new water coming into the trough will melt the rest of the trough. If the weatherman says it’s going to be extremely cold, you can open them a little more. During the summer you can shut them completely off.

The WEIGHT VALVE, and the FREEZE VALVE are a perfect match. For one person to come up with just one of these ideas is great – but Garry Brown came up with both!

Ordering these valves is as close and easy as picking up your phone and calling Garry at 1-801-602-9910, and by ordering direct from Garry you also save all distributor and/or store markups.

Learn more by visiting his website at www.

BrownWeightValve.com . e

Baker Angus Genetic Extra Sale – 17th Annual Bull Sale Feb. 26, 2022

T

he Baker Family purchased the home and land in Vale, Oregon in 1945. In 1982 I bought it from them. At that time, I started a small herd of angus cows and the rest is

history.

For thirty nine years we have been producing cattle with the genetics that will fit what everyone in the beef industry is seeking. We have developed our program utilizing a rigorous culling program and siring the Balanced EPDs. Our bulls are normally calved in the fall and weaned in June. We believe in raising bulls which are never pushed hard – which, in our opinion, contributes to their longevity.

Customer satisfaction remains our ultimate goal. Our bulls are unconditionally guaranteed for their first breeding season We now have a bull sale every year, the fourth Saturday in February, selling over a hundred and fifty bulls. We invite you to see for yourself at our next bull sale on Saturday, February 27th, 2021. Come see our offering and enjoy a delicious steak lunch before the sale at our sale barn at the ranch, located at 2175 Bench Rd., Vale, and Oregon 97918. Call me at 208-739-3449 or Sam at 208-739-0425. e

17TH ANNUAL BULL SALE Saturday, February 26th, 2022 at 1 pm 208.739.3449

2175 Bench Rd., Vale, OR 97918

www.bakerangus.com www.farmranchdairy.com

West/Southwest

Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy • 23

marketplace EQUINE

AGRICULTURE

AGRICULTURE

TANK COATINGS ROOF COATINGS

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Available for METAL, composition shingles or tar roofs. Long lasting and easy to apply. We also manufacture tank coatings for concrete, rock, steel, galvanized or mobile tanks.

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www.goprotruck.com Specializing in used trucks, trailers, tractors, van, flatbeds and dumps.

spencer.training@hotmail.com • Eagle, ID

Visit our website for a detailed online view of the various agricultural and commercial trucks and trailers that are in stock.

EQUIPMENT

 Includes prices.  Updated often to stay current with rapidly changing inventory.  We accept all major credit cards.  All required paperwork handled at time of transaction.

(253) 863-8782

(806) 352-2761

bookkeeper@pro-truck.com

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AGRICULTURE

AUTOMOTIVE

Irrigation Supplies and Rentals

20488 Pinto Ln, Caldwell, ID 83607

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PRINTING

IRRIGATION

Sprinkler Head Rebuilders LLC WE SELL

Rebuilt Sprinklers • Rebuilt SR100s Rebuilt Levelers 208-543-6633 • 1-800-296-6633 1612 Main • Buhl, Idaho 83316 www.sprinklerheadrebuilders.com 24 • Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy

COPIES PRINTING FAX 714 North Main • P.O. Box 556 Meridian, Idaho 83680 Phone: 208-888-5682 • Fax: 208-288-1946 Cell: 283-3567 • Email: greg@modernprinters.net

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FUEL

ADVERTISERS INDEX ADVERTISER

WEBSITE PAGE

Baker Angus Beefmaster Breeders United Bestway Sales LLC BG Sales LLC Blue River - IECP Brown Weight Valve C & R Supply, Inc. CleanFix North America, Inc. College of Agriculture Cowboy’s Bar & Museum Dalton Ag Products Dr. Jim’z Droge Farms Elston Manufacturing, Inc. Fairly Reliable Bob’s Fay Ranch Management Feed Train LLC Greentronics LTD Hayden Outdoors InoSol Co., LLC International Ag Labs Interwest Supply Co. Karsten Nursery Long Prairie Packing Co. Modern Printers Pro Truck & Equipment Sales R&M Steel Company RCO Pest Control Products Romafa Metal Works Inc. Sagely Sown Sloan Express Spencer Training Sprinkler Head Rebuilders Stukenholtz Laboratory Inc. TJ Equipment LLC TPS Lab Truckweight, LLC TW Enterprises Virden Perma-Bilt Co. Vrba Enterprises Wilger Inc.

www.bakerangus.com 23 www.beefmasters.org 21 www.bestwayag.com 25 www.roadbosstoolbox.com 26 www.blueriver-iecp.com 19 www.brownweightvalve.com 22 www.crsupply.com 16 www.cleanfix.org 15 www.uwyo.edu/uwag 7 20 www.daltonag.com 11 www.drjimz.com 7 7 www.elstonmfg.com 5 www.fairlys.com 24 www.fayranches.com 7 www.feedtrain.com 20 www.greentronics.com 3 www.haydenoutdoors.com 3 www.inosol.com 23 www.aglabs.com 10 www.interwestsupply.com 24 www.karstennursery.com 27 www.americanfoodsgroup.com 19 www.modernprinters.net 24 www.goprotruck.com 24 www.rmsteel.com 9 www.rodent-baits.com 9 www.romafa.com 17 www.sagelysown.com 10 www.sloanex.com 2 24 www.sprinklerheadrebuilders.com 24 www.stukenholtz.com 8 www.tjequipmentllc.com 5 www.tpslab.com 28 www.truckweight.com 9 www.twegen.com 13 www.virdenproducts.com 24 24 www.wilger.net 15

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WHEN YOU NEED IT* WHERE YOU NEED IT* The Tanker, from Bestway Ag, is an in-field fuel solution engineered to be more than a simple pit stop for hungry machinery.

Equipped with a long list of standard features, it is ready to work long hours, just as you do. Fuel. When you need it, where you need it.

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HOPKINSVILLE, KY HIAWATHA, KS GREENWOOD, MS 877-390-4480 800-392-7440 270-887-8550 OLIVE BRANCH, MS INVERNESS, MS 866-776-8265 662-265-5841 Western Farm, Ranch and Dairy • 25

See Us at The World Ag E in Tulare WS-1xpo 2

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