Be a Savvy Seedstock Stockman

Be a Savvy SEEDSTOCK STOCKMAN

for The Stockman by B. Lynn Gordon

photos courtesy Ryan Ludvigson

As a seedstock supplier, you have worked hard to build the genetic base of your cow herd, followed stringent selection criteria when selecting herd sires to infuse into your breeding program, and methodically maintained herd records. However, with ever-changing technologies and expectations, how can you continue to reach your goals and best serve your customers?

“The seedstock supplier role has changed noticeably in the last five years from trying to produce the most bulls possible, to meet producer demand, and shifted to more significant involvement in all aspects of our customers’ business,” says Ryan Ludvigson of Ludvigson Stock Farms in Billings, Montana. “Seedstock producers must develop new programs and strategies to better serve their customers’ needs and add value to their operations.” Ryan and his brother Park are fourth-generation suppliers of Red Angus genetics and market cattle across the nation at regional production sales with the main sale located in Billings.

Ludvigson and his family have built a foundation as reputable breeders and marketers of top-quality genetics and were listed as the 9th largest seedstock producer in the U.S. in BEEF magazine’s 2019 ranking of Top 100 Seedstock Operations. “It’s certainly humbling to be in the top ten and we’re very appreciative of all our customers’ support. Our team views it as a huge responsibility to continue to improve the quality of our program to create more profitable genetics for producers while maintaining core production traits like soundness, fertility, and longevity,” says Ludvigson. Ludvigson Stock Farms began in West Central Iowa and expanded in 2010 to include a cow herd in Lewiston, Montana. The family operation focuses on selling bulls and females in seven annual production sales in addition to private treaty offerings. Ludvigson has worked with hundreds of customers throughout his career, including serving as the Director of Marketing for Leachman Cattle Company from 1997 to 2000. During this role, he marketed thousands of bulls a year and worked closely with numerous cooperator herds.

KNOW YOUR GOALS

Ryan Ludvigson of Ludvigson Stock Farm near Billings, MT.

“Vision is a critical component of building a successful breeding program. It is impossible to accomplish what you wish for and even determine how you might go about helping your commercial customers if you don’t have a vision or direction,” says Ludvigson. This begins by outlining breeding program goals which might include:

1) Do you sell calves at weaning?

2) Do you sell yearlings?

3) Do you retain ownership?

4) Do you sell replacement females?

5) Who is your customer?

Along with answering these questions, a seedstock supplier should have a selection strategy for both bull selection and replacement heifers.

Breeding goals may vary from program to program depending on the environment of the operation and available resources, but ultimately it comes down to knowing your customers’ needs, Ludvigson believes. Do your customers predominantly sell at weaning or retain ownership and get paid on the grid? Do they want to retain replacement heifers from within their program or purchase from an outside source? What kind of selection criteria do your customers use when investing in genetics for their operations, are they more data-driven or do the place greater value on phenotypic selection? The key component is that seedstock breeders ensure their program supplies cattle that fit the needs of their customers and tailor the goals of their breeding programs accordingly.

Suggested Bull Selection Strategies:

1) Determine cowherd strengths and weaknesses

2) Utilize genetic prediction and indexes

3) Visual appraisal is critical

4) Identify an optimal balance of economically relevant traits

CHANGING ROLE

Ludvigson predicts in 5-10 years, seedstock suppliers will be more involved in the implementation of technology from their cow herds through to their customers’ herds. DNA profiles will be incorporated in commercial herds to help them improve and to influence overall profitability. Utilizing DNA in commercial herds especially will be fundamental for both seedstock and commercial producers alike to make more effective breeding decisions, help seedstock breeders market the right cattle to the right producers, and better assist producers in marketing their calf crops. “To accomplish this immense undertaking means seedstock producers will need to lead the charge in demonstrating the value of DNA testing, and its application to commercial programs.”

EXPAND SKILLSET

To fulfill this changing role will require seedstock suppliers to be on the cutting edge of technological advancements. To accomplish this, continued education is a necessity. “This industry requires we be life-long learners, develop the capacity to try different ideas, and learn from what yields effective results and what does not. We advance only by doing.” The Montana rancher suggests participating in meetings and conventions, such as, Beef Improvement Federation, breed conventions, research symposiums, etc., to broaden one’s knowledge base and stay current on new technology. Keeping customers up to date and educated is also a vital role for the seedstock supplier. Ludvigson Stock Farm offered a series of educational sessions for commercial cattlemen in 2019, to provide updates about DNA profiling, herd health, animal nutrition, and value-added programs.

6 things a commercial producer should expect from their seedstock supplier:

1) Be a Stockmen - They should be Stockmen or Stockwomen that work with their cattle and know their cattle.

2) Cowherd Strength - evaluate the supplier’s total cow herd for all traits, e.g., conformation, soundness, feet and legs, udders, mothering ability, EPDs, etc.

3) Data Providers - make sure they are reporting all performance traits, ultrasound, heifer pregnancy, stayability, feed efficiency, frame score, scrotal, feet and leg scores, udder scores, etc.

4) Genetic Advancements - EPDs and DNA should be incorporated into the breeding program

5) Customer Service – the supplier should be there for you as a customer to help evaluate your program’s needs. They should go that extra mile to help you in areas not just limited to genetics.

6) Marketing – assist in marketing customer’s products, e.g., establish feedlot contacts, support customers at video sales and livestock markets, help them find marketing assistance.

______

The decisions you make as their [commercial customers] genetic supplier have a major impact on their business, profitability, and livelihood.

-Ryan Ludvigson Ludvigson Stock Farms

______

SERVE YOUR CUSTOMER

“Always listen to your customer,” he says. “This seems so simple, but sometimes, it can be difficult.” Ludvigson has found progress is made through regular discussion and interaction with customers, estimating he spends one-third of his time communicating with them.

“They (commercial customers) are on the frontlines of the beef industry, and seedstock suppliers need to recognize genetics play a large role in influencing the positive or negative aspects to an operation.” He notes, seedstock stockman can never underestimate the influence they have on a commercial operation. “The decisions you make as their genetic supplier have a major impact on their business, profitability, and livelihood.”

Blend and balance are needed in the selection of genetics by a progressive seedstock supplier, just as a blend and balance between striving for your goals and aiming to support the goals of your customer base will result in business longevity.

B. Lynn Gordon, Ph.D., Leader Consulting, LLC. Sioux Falls, SD. Lynn is an agricultural freelance writer and leadership consultant with an extensive background in the livestock industry. She can be reached at lynn@leaderconsulting.biz or through her blog at leaderconsulting.biz