The Stockman | February 2025 by The Stockman

Australian Angus OPEN FOR INSPECTION

us for the 2025 Neogen World Angus Forum from 7th 8th May 2025 Join for all or part of the program or make your own way with our insightful directory into the exciting world of Australian Angus genetics.

LONGREACH

LHR JAMESON 309

Jameson x Playbook, Reg# 20682337

DOB 02.26.2023, $C +354

Performance driven by Surpass flush sister, 100+ Age Advantage Bulls Sell!

LHR STATESMAN 3849

Statesman x Ozark, Reg# 20981702

DOB 09.29.2023, $C +338

Several Flush brothers sell!

Foreman x Cool Rep, Reg# M992575

DOB 01.17.2023, WW 771lbs. 64 Years breeding Charolais!

LHR STATESMAN 3832

Statesman x Payweight, Reg# 20982718

DOB 09.23.2023, $C +312

%IMF 7.39 to ratio 278! All Angus Parent & HD50K Tested!

LHR STATESMAN 4201

Statesman x Regiment, Reg# 21010500

DOB 01.26.2024, $C +275

Balance Trait bulls with low birth and high growth with end product merit!

Game On x Cool Rep, Reg# M987522

DOB 01.29.2023, WW 732lbs.

Performance changing genetics with phenotype and ribeye!

Angus Bulls sired by: Statesman, Jameson, Fireball, Craftsman, Commerce, Exponential, Veracious and many more! Charolais Bulls sired by: Foreman, Tank, Kingsman, Game On, Black Jack

MJR SMOKY GAME

Commerce x Expectation, Reg# 20961093

DOB 09.26.2023, $C +256

20+ Fall Bred Heifers with pedigree & phenotype, she sells bred to True Balance

7589-3820

Craftsman x Payweight, Reg# 20961140

DOB 09.20.2023, $C +317

Flush sister to several bulls selling, tallies a %IMF of 11.02 to ratio 139, she sells bred to True Balance

Exponential x Sunrise, Reg# 20961062

DOB 09.17.2023, $C +315

High Growth and High Marbling female backed by powerful genetics, she sells bred to True Balance!!

Ratified x Merit, Reg# 20885778

DOB 02.11.2024, $C +334

Flush sister to the $235,000 KC Kingston at ST Genetics, selling 1/2 interest

Commerce x Fireball, Reg# 21097648

DOB 02.02.2024, $C +331

Donor Dam sells as a featured Lot, one flush sister and one maternal sister x “Summation 2010” also sells!

LHR SUSIE 1207-4255

Commerce x Fireball, Reg# 21097893

DOB 03.13.2024, $C +323

Top pick females from a set of flush sisters descending from the “Susie, Blackbird & Rita” cow families

LHR SUSIE

LHR BLACKBIRD 2223-4211

LHR RITA N27-3812

LHR SUSIE 3844

KC BLACKBIRD 4011

Welcome!

Thanks for joining us! We are a free, premier livestock publication featuring and serving seedstock and commercial beef producers nationwide. Raising cattle is so much more than a hobby; it is our livelihood and our passion. We understand that, and in every issue want you to see not only incredible cattle, but also relatable, entertaining, and informative editorial features for the producer with 5 or 500 head.

To us, you are more than reader or advertiser; you are a beef producer. We are committed to doing our best for you, every day. Please feel free to communicate with us, your input is appreciated. The Stockman (ISSN 2694-1740), Vol. 7, No. 2,

BILL SCHERMER, Owner/Herd Consultant

641.425.2641 | bill@stockmanmag.com

Bill and his wife, Nancy, have made their living in the cattle industry. He has provided marketing services for purebred and commercial breeders since 1970. Schermer Angus Cattle continues to be active in the NJAA and raises quality cattle near Clarion, IA. As owner of The Stockman, Bill leads by example providing producers with the highest level of customer service.

CHERYL KEPES, Assistant Editor

417.766.0990

cheryl@stockmanmag.com

Working for The Stockman is the perfect combination of two of Cheryl’s favorite things: writing and cattle. Cheryl has decades of experience as a professional writer. She finds great joy in sharing stories about people in the agricultural industry. Cheryl’s family raises registered Angus, Red Angus, and Simmental cattle in Fair Grove, MO.

KIM BANKS, Graphics

507.530.0914

kkbanks@frontiernet.net

Makayla serves as editor, graphic designer, and manager of The Stockman. Her focus and passion continues to provide high quality service and original promotional materials to cattlemen. She and her husband, Jared, raise their four kids, and together they run their family operation, JMF Herefords and SimAngus, near Morris in west central MN.

SARAH HILL, Editorial Writer

307.274.0419

sarahhill1007@yahoo.com

Cheryl Kepes

Sarah Hill

Justin Fruechte

Dr. Vince Collison Kirk Lynch

Kim is a graphic designer with many years of design experience. Producing creative marketing materials to help others look their best is what she loves doing the most. She and her husband, Kevin, along with their son, raise grain and have a small commercial cow/calf and feeder operation on the family farm near Lynd, MN.

Sarah lives on a small hobby farm near Arlington, SD, with her husband, Braeton, and their three daughters: Harper, 8, Vayentha, 5, and Aurora, 1. She grew up on a Missouri dairy farm and has an Agricultural Journalism degree from the University of Missouri. Sarah enjoys baking, reading, and gardening.

MARIA OPHEIM, Social Media Manager

507-828-1374

riawbr@gmail.com

Send

to Makayla Flower, 1530 10th St. NW Holloway, MN 56249.

Maria, her husband Cade, and daughter Tawnee, of Mound City, S.D. currently reside on their fifth generation commercial & Limousin cattle and grain operation. Maria also works as a R.N. She is excited to promote producers through The Stockman’s social media platforms!

TY BAYER

715.573.0153

tcreds@gmail.com

Ty works alongside his family in their purebred operations, Country Lane Farm and TC Reds near Ringle, WI. An advocate for youth programs and dedicated cow/calf man, he is excited to help producers merchandise their cattle.

JAN FORD

800.693.8048

jford17879@aol.com

CHAD AND BRANDI CLAUSSEN

563.349.5089

chad.claussen@yahoo.com

Chad Claussen and his wife, Brandi, along with their two sons, operate purebred and commercial cow herds in Stockton, Iowa. The Claussen family also enjoys showing cattle, goats, and sheep. Off the farm, Chad works in the HVAC industry and Brandi works as an inventory and harvest coordinator.

RON HINRICHSEN

785.770.0222

rlangus@bluevalley.net

For the past 30 years, Ron, his wife, Lynne, and their two children have owned and

BRANDON CREAMER

970.596.4965

creamer b 150@hotmail.com

Brandon owns Lazy JB Angus with his parents and sister in Montrose, CO. Raised in the cattle industry, he has a true passion for it and loves marketing quality cattle throughout the US.

LORA HUTCHINS

615.293.3695

loralea1172@gmail.com With her passion for agriculture, Jan brings over 35+ years of advertising sales experience in the beef industry. She and her late husband Norm had a commercial Angus cow herd and grain operation near Tipton, IA, which her sons still manage today.

BRIGHAM AND MEGAN STEWART

785.747.8028

megancollisondvm@gmail.com

Brigham works alongside his parents at Mid Continent Farms, their large, multi-breed cow/calf operation in Kansas. Megan graduated from ISU as a DVM in the spring of 2021 and is a big part of her family’s Angus herd and Veterinary Clinic in Iowa.

operated Hinrichsen Ranch, a registered Angus ranch in Westmoreland, KS. He has an extensive background in the agricultural industry and is excited to put it to work for each of his customers.

CARTER WARD

carterward79@gmail.com

816.261.0891

Carter resides in Plattsburg, MO, with his girlfriend, Mandi, where they help run

Ward Brothers Livestock with Carter’s family - their primary focus is Angus show cattle. Carter is also a partner in Campbell/Ward show cattle that specializes in the Hereford breed.

Lora owns and operates Destiny Angus Farm with husband Brian and daughter Morgan in Charleston, IL. They have raised and shown cattle successfully on the national level for several years. They also have owned a production herd with as many as 200 registered cows.

STEVE WOLFF

701.710.1574

swolff318@yahoo.com

Steve is a third generation Hereford breeder - his family has been raising Herefords since 1951. He offers bulls by private treaty every year and has a heifer sale every fall. Steve also enjoys traveling to sales and shows whenever possible and likes camping as well.

Hilltop

The

Even though my husband and I both grew up on crop farm and cattle operations, we started our own cattle business as the first generation when we got married. Starting with nothing and building from the ground up has provided so many freedoms for us, but it hasn’t come without it’s share of challenges. Being conservative with cash hasn’t been an option, it’s been mandatory. And with that means we choose to run with equipment that has personality and we do all sorts of DIY projects.

Our loader tractor in particular has been showing us it’s “colorful” side these past several months and my husband came in the house the other night and said, “It still runs, but it won’t move.” Welp. Looks like we’ll be spending some extra cash in the near future. I printed off some signs to hang in the office and on our fridge that say, “No pain, no gain.” Hopefully it’s a helpful reminder, ha! But we will get through this and keep going just like in every other situation on the farm. It’s not easy by any means. But this is the “hard” that we have chosen. We have a passion for what we do, and our kids get to grow up in an amazing environment, so it is all worth it. We may not be cash rich, but we are surely living rich. And that is what’s most important to our family.

We are in the midst of so many things right now - bull sales, spring calving, cattle shows, you name it. Many of us are running in all directions to keep up; it’s a busy time of the year! Good luck and best wishes to everyone with their endeavors.

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A PASTURE TO PLATE PROGRAM

Anthony Randall | Cattle Procurement Manager A FULL SERVICE ANGUS & BEEF OUTFIT

Fred Linz | Owner

Ben Weis | Ranch Manager

Angus Pride

FBush Angus, Britton, S.D., builds on their legacy of performance.

or nearly 100 years, the Bush family, Britton, S.D., has been committed to raising high-quality registered Angus cattle. The sixth generation is now joining the operation.

W.E. Bush, a rancher and South Dakota state senator, brought the first registered Angus cow to the farm in 1927. He sold registered Angus bulls, seed, pigs, and horses. W.E.’s son, Clifford, had a regis-

tered Angus heifer that showed well at the South Dakota State Fair, so he purchased that heifer.

The following year, the heifer’s dam was added to the Bush herd. That dam proved to be foundational to the family’s Angus herd, with all cows today currently tracing to that one female. Clifford took over dayto-day operations when his father joined the state senate. Clifford’s son, Jim, took over the reins shortly after returning home from college.

Sarah Hill photos courtesy Bush Angus

ANCHORED IN ANGUS

The family has stuck with the Angus breed over the decades because the breed is low maintenance, fertile, and durable.

“Angus females have excellent longevity, and the bulls still have performance and a good look to them,” said Jim’s son, Scott Bush. “When I came home from college, I thought it was easy to have a good cow, because my dad was such a good cattleman. I’ve learned a lot since then.”

Scott always knew he was going to farm. Jim and his wife, Carol, insisted that Scott attend college first, so he got a degree in animal science from South Dakota State University, also serving on the livestock judging team. He came back to the farm after graduating in 1992.

Scott’s son, Tyler, graduated in 2021 from South Dakota State University with his animal science degree, after completing a successful career in collegiate livestock judging. Tyler won the national collegiate judging contest in Louisville during his senior year of college and served as chairman of the National Junior Angus Board of Directors.

“I’m thankful that Tyler came back to the farm,” Scott said. “He’s

really good to work with, smart and a go-getter. We both judge a lot of cattle shows across the country and sometimes judge together, so it can get tricky with our schedules.”

Finding good labor has been another challenge in the past few yearsparticularly someone who is willing to tackle multiple types of work on the farm. Scott’s wife, Jo, helps on the ranch, and his daughter, Brittany, owns a daycare in town but helps with the bull sale.

The operation includes pasture, alfalfa fields, and farm ground where they raise corn and soybeans.

INCORPORATING TECHNOLOGY

Bush Angus looks a little different today than it did in 1992. The family has incor-

below Scott’s family (l-r): Scott, Jo, Tyler, and Brittany

porated technology into various aspects of the operation, from utilizing embryo transfer and EID tags to cameras and genomic testing.

“I was blessed with what I came into, with the facilities, but we like being at the forefront of technology,” Scott said. “You’ve got to keep moving forward.”

The Bush family has also expanded the cow herd and moved up their calving date so they can be more competitive selling older bulls. Their land base has grown over the decades and today, the Bush family is promoting their bulls nationwide.

EACH ANIMAL COUNTS

Bush Angus calves out 175 cows each spring. Scott said they prefer to keep their cattle big and productive and have culled down their numbers more with the intention of making each animal count.

“That approach has really helped us,” he said. “We typically have

about 75 bull calves born every year and are pretty hard on culling, but we generally cut only five to seven a year—and that’s just because they’re too young to sell.”

When Scott first returned to the ranch, the herd was calving around March 25. Over the past 30 years, the Bushes have bumped up their calving date, so females start as early as January 8 in 2025.

“The cows were cycling well, so we decided to give it a whirl,” he said. “The cows responded well, despite getting bumped up 30 to 45 days, and the bulls did a good job.”

Bush Angus focuses on breeding powerful cattle that are stout, bigboned, good hipped, and nice to look at. Scott said that approach results in more consistent cattle with an extra blend of maternal traits.

“We breed to produce bulls that are big and powerful,” he said. “You have to remember; the half siblings of those bulls make up your cow herd. That masculinity in bulls translates to making good cows.”

Bush Angus has produced several standout bulls that have had success in AI studs. A few years ago, the family bred and sold Bush’s Custom Built 860 for $86,000, but they’ve still been using him on their own herd.

“He’s been a standard, especially for more calving ease,” Bush said. “He doesn’t give up any stoutness.”

A bull the family purchased called Evenson Everest 964 has been another top sire for the herd, producing the Bush’s top selling sets of calves every year. Bush Angus has sold many bulls out of Everest, equipped with good foot quality and power.

“We’re pretty aggressive about buying bulls to bring in new genetics,” Scott said. “We like a certain

kind of cattle, but we like to buy herd bulls and get different blends. When we buy a bull, it’s a herd bull, not a clean up bull. With our herd size, every three years or so, you’ve got to make a move with the genetics, so the cattle don’t get concentrated a certain way.”

Vin-Mar O’Reilly Factor is a bull that has shaped the Bush Angus female base, and Scott said that all of the pedigrees of their best cows have O’Reilly Factor as the grandsire.

The Bush family works with two cooperator herds to raise embryo calves out of donor cows.

NO GRAIN, EVER

All the cattle at Bush Angus eat a roughage-based diet, and the cow herd never receives grain. The family chops silage each year, which is a critical part of their herd’s feeding regimen. Rations include silage, ground hay, alfalfa and grass,

and the herd grazes on cornstalks in the fall. When the weather gets bitterly cold, the Bushes will raise the net energy maintenance ration with silage.

“We’ve been blessed with good crops,” Scott said. “Our silage has some punch to it.”

Replacement heifers are on a high-roughage ration at 44 to 45 megacalories, including three pounds of corn, a protein pellet with essential amino acids, omega 6, yeast and Amaferm®.

“We don’t want them to get too fleshy, because then they’re easier to breed,” he said. “A simple ration is good - it helps the cattle be more consistent.”

Bulls are weaned at the end of August and put on a TMR that’s 46 to 48 mega calories for the fall with 15 percent protein, including corn silage, ground hay, and a protein pellet. If the fall gets cold, the Bush family will bump the TMR up to 50 megacalories.

ALWAYS SELLING CATTLE

In 2025, the Bushes will host their 51st annual sale. In past years, Bush Angus has also sold 25 to 30 open heifers and some bred females. All their bulls are broken to tie by sale day.

“We market a few show heifers in the fall and sell donor cows and embryos,” Scott said. “It used to be that you only sold cattle on the day of your bull sale. Today, you’ve always got to have something available for sale when somebody calls - otherwise, you could lose that customer.”

The personal touch with customers is what Scott really enjoys about raising cattle, and he says it’s more challenging to have that personal touch when selling cattle online. The Bushes have a policy to deliver their bulls to the customer’s barn door.

“Honesty and integrity are number one; we’ve always been straight forward with our customers,” Scott said. “I like selling bulls and being around people.”

Out of each year’s calf crop, the majority are sold during the ranch’s annual sale, with a few being retained each year to be sold through private treaty. In 2024, some 80 percent of bulls sold from Bush Angus ended up within 45 miles of their ranch.

“We’ve had some nice local trade, and we’ve been very lucky with that,” he said. “It looks bad if you can’t sell bulls to your neighbors.”

The Bushes use social media to promote their bulls and are always working on their website, according to Scott. They’ve sold bulls across the U.S. and Canada, but are always looking to broaden their reach.

“We’ve also got a nice customer base in Maryland,” he said. “We’re tracking hits and seeing why we get hits and when most of our website traffic comes, but I’m still pretty old school - I like print ads in good magazines.”

SHOW RING SUCCESS

The Bushes have shown and won grand and reserve many times at the National Western Stock Show in both the show ring and the pen show. They’ve also made appearances at the American Royal and North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) and the NILE Stock Show. The family also won their division at the National Junior Angus Show on several occasions.

“We haven’t missed Denver in years,” Bush said. “It’s our favorite. It takes more people nowadays on a crew to be competitive, and it’s

been tough lately, with our labor situation. Tyler can’t go to shows as much as he wants.”

NOT SLOWING DOWN

The future is filled with excitement for Bush Angus. Jim is still very active on the ranch. Tyler is proving himself to be an excellent cattleman and people person and is looking to expand the operation into selling more heifers in the fall and attending more shows.

“As long as Tyler wants to go, I’m not going to stop him,” Scott said. “We’re tough on quality - we keep culling and have a goal in mind. We talk about what kind of female we want every day and try to make the best possible version of that.”

When the family isn’t working on the ranch, judging a cattle show, or buying bulls – then they’re likely on the golf course.

“Sitting back and being complacent isn’t part of our strategy,” Scott said. “Staying aggressive and seeking new opportunity is what will still keep our operation moving forward generationally.”

learn more bushangus.com

Profitmaker Bull Sale

Annual Selling 32 Angus, 10 SimAngus, and 5 Gelbvieh Balancers

Online Bidding starts February 18th & Bidding ends February 25th Cattle may be viewed at Walker’s Red Barn Genetics, 31240 Hwy 14, Clay Center NE 68933

Lot 1

ZWT Weigh Up 3501

AAA21054072 • Birth Date: 9/5/2023

J&J Weigh Up 294 x ZWT Net Return F153

Lot 52

DI Magno Mas L4

ASA4370220 • Birth Date: 12/2/2023

DI Magno Mas H1 x WS A Step Up X27

Lot 5

ZWT Commerce 3605

AAA21054069 • Birth Date: 9/28/2023

SITZ Commerce 670F x S A V Territory 7225

Lot 54

DI Magno Mas L6

ASA4370222 • Birth Date: 12/4/2023

DI Magno Mas H1 x HPF Optimizer A512

ZWT Ranch

Walker Genetics Profitmaker Bull Sale

Lot 12

ZWT Marvel 3564

AAA21054075 • Sired by Laflins Marvel 1801

Well balanced Marvel son out of a top producing President daughter from the Blackcap May cow family. He recorded ratios of WW 111, YW 107, REA 101. Dam has WWR 2/112, YWR 2/109.

Lot 16

ZWT Royalty 3576

AAA21154556 • Sired by ZWT Royalty 1503

This powerful hipped individual show ratios of WWR 118 and YWR 116. This is ZWT Power Maternal at its best! The dam is a renowned Blackcap May. Keep every daughter of this one!

Lot 13

ZWT Marvel 3582

AAA21054057 • Sired by Laflins Marvel 1801

This attractive, stout boned bull is the highest performing natural calf in his crop with a WWR 120 and a YWR 114 to go with carcass ratios of REA 115 and IMF 118. Definite herd bull material!

Lot 23

ZWT Respect 3509

AAA21063064 • Sired by KLA Respect 186

A long bodied, heavy muscled son of KLA Respect that will have many friends on sale day. His dam by SAV Final Answer 0035 transmits as much raw performance as any cow at ZWT and represents the SAV Elba cow family. This is a powerful bull with maternal lineage.

2025 SchEdule

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Judging Contest Auctioneer Contest

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Iowa Angus Sale

Iowa Limousin Sale

Iowa Simmental Sale

Iowa Charolais Sale

Iowa Maine Anjou Sale

Iowa Red Angus Sale

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12

Iowa Hereford Sale

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13

Junior Cattle Move-In

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14

Stockmen’s Market Traeshow

Junior Check-In

Sunglo No-Fit Showmanship

IJBBA Fitting Contest

IJBBA Year End Awards

Supreme Row Drive

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Expo Junior Show

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16

Expo Junior Show

DETAILED SCHEDULE

Iowa State Fairgrounds- Des Moines, IA

STOCKMAN’S MARKET

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15

NCC Judging Contest

7 AM Check-In (Expo Building)

8 AM Beef Livestock Judging Contest Noon Lunch

1 PM Oral Reasons/Questions

5 PM Critique Classes Awards Banquet (Following Critique) College Awards (Followed by Youth)

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17

Facilities Open for Cattle Exhibitors

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18

Opening Day Special Events

8 AM - 12 PM

Commercial Trade Show Set Up

9 AM All Sale Cattle in Place

Check-In Begins by Breed

7 PM Cattlemen Beef Supper (ArrowQuip Showring)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19

Breed Cattle Shows, FFA Day

9 AM Shows Start (No Breaks)

NEW: One Ring Breed Order Below After Shows - Cattlemen’s Social (ArrowQuip Showring) New: Educational Event in Showring

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20 Sale Day

11 AM Cattle Feeders Lunch (ArrowQuip Showring)

Learn about new products for cattlemen from 701X

Noon Sale Starts (No Breaks)

Sale Order Below - Pen Bulls Sell Last

6 PM 2025/2026 AYC Intros

7 PM Supreme Row (Bulls followed by Heifers) Barn Party

BREED SHOW/SALE ORDER: Hereford, Simmental, Angus, Gelbvieh, Charolais, Shorthorn, Maine Anjou, Chianina, AOB, Limousin, Red Angus, AYC

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21

10 AM

Barns Open for Juniors

10 AM - 4 PM Junior Check-In

Noon Tips for Cattlemen in 2025 (ArrowQuip Showring)

1 PM Sullivan Supply Product Demo Final Drive Show Supply Demo

2 PM NEW: Commercial Heifer Pen Sale

5 PM

Fancy Heifer Show Followed by Fancy Heifers & Prospect Steers on Display

6 PM Scholarship Presentation

6:30 PM �� Fancy Heifer Sale (Followed by Steers)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22

Junior Show

8 AM Showmanship (2 Rings)

12 PM

Market Show (1 Ring, Heifers, Steers) 30 mins following Market Show Classic Premiere Heifer Selection Classic Premiere Steer Show

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23

8:30 AM Breeding Heifer Show

COMMERCIAL EXHIBITS

Wednesday - Friday | 9 AM - 5 PM (Weekend Optional)

EVENT LOCATION

Buffalo Co. Fairgrounds | 3807 Ave N. | Kearney, NE

RONETTE K. BUSH-HEINRICH, NCC MANAGER O: 308-627-7309 | C: 308-627-6385

NebraskaClassic.org | theclassicne@gmail.com

WEDNESDAY FEB 19 THURSDAY FEB 20 FRIDAY FEB 21

RYBACK

March bull sired by CCC WC Resource 417P. Progeny of sire of this sale feature has been topping sales across the US.

MOE COUNTRY ROAD 2310ET HWMS Thomas County 1443 ET sired bull. Tremendous disposition, sound as a cat and impressive performance.

MOE CONQUER 1L ET

True herd bull prospect sired by 308F ET out of a NJW Hometown 10Y donor daughter.

GELBVIEH/BALANCER

HEIFERS & STEERS Chance to win $10,000! TB MISS S Fancy dual registered Chianina & Simmental bred heifer!

FANCY HEIFER & PROSPECT STEER SALE | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Enroll in the AWARD program. Over $24,000 cash awarded back to youth!

GERDES FEED & SUPPLY Franklin, NE

Simmental, Hereford, Angus, Gelbvieh, Charolais, AOB, Red Angus, Limousin, Maine Anjou, Chianina, Shorthorn

Extension Education

SUniversity research you can use.

Matt Spangler, Professor and Beef Genetics Extension Specialist University of NE - Lincoln, UNL Beef beef.unl.edu

A NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION FOR BULL BUYERS

• Current rates of dystocia

• Current pregnancy rates

• Current age distribution of the cow herd

• Primary reason(s) for cows exiting the herd

pring bull buying season is near. The question that all potential bull (and semen) buyers need to ask is, “What do I need?” The operative word is need, not to be confused with want. To objectively answer the question, producers need to know how their herd currently performs. This includes, but is not limited to: Know your herd.

• Weight of calves at the point of sale

• Post-weaning performance of calves

• Weight of mature cows

• Annual (variable) cow costs

Knowing the answers to the questions above helps identify the areas that require the most attention to improve profitability.

After a breeding objective has been formed and the answers to the questions above are in hand, bull selection can begin. The sometimes complex process of selecting bulls can be reduced to a few simple steps.

1. Choose vendors that sell the product you need and that you trust.

2. Choose bulls based on what is “under the hood”. In other words, the goal of bull selection is to improve genetics so select bulls based on genetic potential using Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs).

3.Select for more than one trait given more than one trait impacts profitability. Utilize economic selection indexes to do so.

4. Value bulls (or semen) based on the potential to generate a return from the investment. In other words, if the “best” bull sells for more money than he could generate for your enterprise (based on genetic value and number of cows he would be exposed to, and cull value), then pass on him and buy a different bull that does have the potential for a positive return on investment.

Not everyone who raises cattle is profit-motivated, but for those who are, utilizing proven tools such as EPD and economic selection indexes seems logical. With that in mind, here are pitfalls to avoid.

1. Avoid over-emphasizing calving ease (direct). The emphasis on this trait should be in relation to the degree you experience dystocia problems now.

2. If you retain replacement females, keep an eye on mature cow weight EPD if available.

3. If you retain replacement females, do not ignore female fertility. Sustained cow fertility (stayability, functional longevity) EPD represent the ability to remain productive in a herd.

4. If you use economic selection indexes, use the ones that fit your breeding objective. Do not use terminal indexes if you intend to retain replacement females.

5. Know, or ask, what certain EPD/indexes mean and what breed average is. Do not buy a bull assuming he excels for a trait only to later discover that he ranks towards the bottom of the breed.

There are numerous articles on how to interpret and use genetic selection tools. For those wanting to learn more, I’d suggest visiting www.eBEEF.org and looking over the Sire Selection Manual.

Courtesy University of NE - Lincoln,

Interviews with the authors of BeefWatch newsletter articles become available throughout the month of publication and are accessible at: www.go.unl.edu/podcast.

UNL Beef

Photo credit: Kyla Fawcett of Focus Marketing Group

Lot 75

Dam: Frosty Elba Lizzy 262

Grand Dam: Frosty Elba 450

100% of our SimAngus bulls are the result of ETs and all are homozygous black and homozygous polled!

You are really going to appreciate the condition of these forage grown aged bulls.

Lot 173

A fourth generation donor with outstanding EPDs: double digit CE, top 1% WW and YW. She has a 97 $M and a $C of 330. Expect her calves to lead off our sale next year. Plus 49 more straight from the heart of the herd.

4220 is one of our elite donors with a 100 $M, excellent foot scores and a true outcross pedigree. 262 is an eighth generation donor and the dam of our most powerful flushes ever created (Lots 16-24).

Frosty Elba

Frosty

SELLING HAND SELECTED

ELITE HEREFORD GENETICS

from the upper Midwest including bred heifers and cows – many will have calves at side – genetic packages, open heifers and herd bull prospects.

Featuring – 8TH ANNUAL DONATION HEIFER

Proceeds going to the Wisconsin Junior Hereford Association. She sells as lot 1 via Lottery Style. Please see catalog for details.

Thank you to MGM Dr. Steve and Jann Merry of Hartford, WI for their donation in Memory of Gordon Merry. Please call BJ Jones for more information on the Donation heifer, 608-482-2961.

Spring Sale Banquet & Fund Auction: Friday, February 28th – Cottonwood Sports Bar, Fennimore, WI

Visit www.wisconsinherefords.org for a digital catalog Live Sale Broadcast at:

6:00 Social Hour; 7:00 Buffet Dinner – Everyone is Welcome! For a catalog or dinner reservations, call Melissa Berggren, Sale Manager by February 21st at 414-550-5114.

Embracing DIVERSIFICATION

By Cheryl Kepes

Hilltop Farms incorporates a variety of agricultural endeavors into its operation to ensure sustainability.

photos courtesy McWilliams family

Elmer McWilliams leads a life accustomed to the ebbs and flows of production agriculture. A farmer to the core, Elmer owns and operates Hilltop Farms in Asbury, Missouri. The family-run operation produces seedstock Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle, row crops, and hay. Even though his farm to-do list consistently remains woefully long, Elmer finds time to drive a school bus each day, safely delivering kids to and from school.

Elmer’s oldest son, Brad, works full time at Hilltop Farms. Elmer and Brad collaborate daily to keep the diversified operation running smoothly. Elmer’s youngest son, Benny, who works as an ag teacher in Carl Junction, Missouri, focuses on developing Hilltop Farms’ show string.

HILLTOP’S BEGINNINGS

The McWilliams family manages the farming operation established in 1960 by Elmer’s parents, Warren and Geraldine McWilliams. Since its origin, Hilltop Farms has operated as a family-run business focused on row cropping corn, soybeans, and soft wheat. Hilltop Farms is one of the few Missouri farms that continues to harvest and bale native prairie grass hay.

Though part of Hilltop Farms’ operation always included cattle, it wasn’t until the late 1990s that Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle became an integral part of the business. It started after Elmer’s father-in-law gave him a Gelbvieh bull to utilize on part of the cow herd. The progeny from that Gelbvieh bull convinced Elmer to incorporate registered Gelbviehs into the operation.

above The McWilliams family (l-r): Benny, Taegan, Sarah, Fallon, Brenda, Elmer, Brad, Kinsley, Brody, and Katie. (Not pictured Brad and Katie’s youngest son, Briggs).

“I dove in headfirst and started to buy some registered Gelbviehs and built my herd since then,” Elmer McWilliams explained. The registered Gelbvieh segment of the business took off in no time. The family currently manages 300 head of Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle.

In addition to their registered cattle program, the McWilliams run approximately 200 head of commercial cattle. Some of the commercial cattle serve as recipients for Hilltop Farms’ ET program.

GENETIC DIVERSITY

The McWilliams AI all their heifers and when time allows, they AI second-calf cows. Due to the time demands of their extensive farming operation, the rest of the cow herd is bred via natural service.

Hilltop Farms takes an approach to its cattle management that focuses on developing seedstock for customers. “We have a unique system where we have several pastures where we can put 15 to 20 cows

with a bull. This system ensures we have a lot of new bloodlines coming on every year for our repeat customers,” Elmer said.

The diversity of genetics plays a critical role in the marketing of bulls to customers. Hilltop Farms hosts an annual bull and female sale on the second Saturday in March at the Joplin Regional Stockyards. The McWilliams sell 50 bulls in their sale each year and sell as many as 50 through private treaty on the farm.

Hilltop Farms markets its females through its annual sale as well. Prior to last year, the McWilliams offered only open heifers in their sale. But last year they started to market a few of their cow/ calf pairs, bred heifers, and cows. “We hope to grow that and get that part of the sale a little bit bigger. It seems like there is a lot of demand for Gelbvieh and Balancer females. We need to grow that market if we can,” Elmer stated.

Elmer credits the growing popularity of the Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle to the strong maternal nature of the females. “I think it is just the maternal side of the Gelbvieh breed itself, the females make really good mommas, and they produce a lot of pounds for the size that they are, those calves come off the momma weighing pretty good, and the cows milk well,” Elmer shared.

WINNING WAYS

Throughout their years raising Gelbvieh and Balancer cattle the McWilliams have had much success in the show ring. Benny takes the lead with the operation’s show cattle. Hilltop Farms’ progeny have made their mark on the show circuit. The family has raised junior national champion bulls, national junior show champion females, and this past summer a Hilltop Farms’ steer won the national Gelbvieh steer show in Oklahoma.

The McWilliams campaign their own show string at shows throughout the country. They also sell show heifers to juniors who are looking to be competitive in the show ring.

DEVELOPING BULLS

Hilltop Farms continues to grow and evolve as time passes. The family has exercised patience in its plans to expand and make changes. “It just didn’t happen overnight,” Elmer said.

Ten years ago, the McWilliams added a silage pit to their operation. This addition gave them the ability to feed corn silage to the cow herd. For years, Hilltop Farms sent its bulls to be custom fed and developed in Kansas. But last year, the McWilliams added a feedlot with an inline bunk system. The new facilities give the family the opportunity to mix all their own feed and develop bulls on the family farm.

“We try to raise all our own forage. We have the facilities to feed them here now, so it is a lot easier to watch the bulls and see what we have coming on. As opposed to them being 200 to 300 miles away and not seeing them but a couple of times in the winter,” Elmer shared.

CROPS AND HAY

In addition to the registered and commercial cattle herds, the McWilliams raise corn, soybeans, and wheat. They utilize

the crops to create their own silage to feed their cattle and they sell the rest. They farm about 2,500 acres of row crops.

Their farming operation also includes cutting and baling 400 to 500 acres of native prairie grass hay. The native prairie grass is baled into small and large square bales as well as round bales. The McWilliams feed the hay to their cattle and sell it to other cattle producers as well. “There’s nothing better to start calves on, as far as their forage,” Elmer stated.

“Production agriculture is getting harder and harder every day it seems like. I think you have to be diversified to survive.”

-

Elmer McWilliams, Hilltop Farms

KEY TO SUCCESS

Elmer’s been emersed in production agriculture his entire life. Through the years he has expanded and improved the operation. Though he’s incorporated changes along the way, once thing remains the same – the operation is diverse.

“Production agriculture is getting harder and harder every day it seems like. I think you have to be diversified to survive,” Elmer shared. Hilltop Farms continues to thrive from one generation to the next, and there is no place Elmer rather be than on his family-run farm.

Statement x Jasmine Bred to Doc Orders

40TH ANNUAL “CARRYING ON” THE EXPLOSIVE DIFFERENCE SALE

Friday, FEBRUARY 14, 2025

1 p.m. CST • At the ERBELE RANCH, Lehr, ND Your COMMERCIAL BULL HEADQUARTERS, along with BREED-LEADING HERDSIRES! ey are THICK and DEEP – All backed by the TNT 100% GUARANTEE!

• Volume discounts!

• Performance data and genomic-enhanced EPDs!

• No creep feed!

• Majority homozygous polled!

• All reds are non-diluters!

• All blacks will be homozygousor heterozygous-black veriﬁed!

HANELS FIRESTEEL M4029 | REG: 4420781

Sire: EGL FIRESTEEL 103F | 3/4 SM 1/4 AN

MGS: HANELS COWBOY CUT D6208

A stylish SimAngus herd bull prospect that is sired by the calving ease specialist, EGL Firesteel 103F!

HANELS JOURNEYMAN M4117 | REG: 4376548

Sire: OMF JOURNEYMAN J24 | PB SM

MGS: RUBY’S CURRENCY 7134E

A powerful son of the $110,000 OMF Journeyman J24 that o ers breed leading growth and power!

HANELS POWERWAGON M4027 | REG: 4420780

Sire: HANELS POWER WAGON J1505 | 5/8 SM 3/8 AN MGS: CLRS DIVIDEND 405D

M4027 is a performance standout that is certain to add payweight, maternal strength, and carcass merit!

HANELS TEN PLUS M4057 | REG: 4376535

Sire: HANELS TEN PLUS K2002 | 1/2 SM 1/2 AN MGS: HANELS COWBOY CUT D6208

HANELS MISS COUNTERTIME M4196 | REG: 4376692

Sire: HANELS COUNTERTIME K2163 | 3/8 SM 5/8 AN

MGS: HANELS 726

This maternal granddaughter of the $230,000 KCC1 Countertime 872H will be a favorite on sale day!

HANELS DOC M4129 | REG: 4376592

Sire: CCS/JS DOC 48H | PB SM

MGS: HART STATE OF WAR 056C

M4129 o ers unrivaled skeletal quality, mass dimension, and breed leading performance!

M4057 is another elite performance sire prospect that is backed by generations of productive and pro table matrons!

HANELS MISS DOC M4186 | REG: 4376690

Sire: CCS/JS DOC 48H | 3/4 SM 1/4 AN

MGS: GW PREMIUM BEEF 021TS

M4186 represents an exceptional o ering of elite registered replacement heifers from the heart of the program!

HANELS POWERWAGON M4009 | REG: 4420783

Sire: HANELS POWER WAGON J1505 | 5/8 SM 3/8 AN MGS: CONNEALY COMRADE 1385

Here is a dense made SimGenetic herd bull prospect that is backed by the most in uential sire lines in the business!

HANELS HARDWOOD L3562 | REG: 4305379

Sire: HARMS HARDWOOD | PB SM

MGS: OMF EPIC E27

The largest and most powerful set of Age Advantaged bulls we have ever sold will highlight the sale!

Seeds in Season

Functional forage and pasture.

contributed article by Justin Fruechte, Product Expert - Ag Renovo Seed, Brookings, S.D. renovoseed.com

CREATING CATTLE HABITAT

ave you ever looked at the hunting industry and studied all the businesses that have boomed from the thriving entertainment of the sport? Hunting enthusiasts will spend enormous amounts of time and money to shoot a critter. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a hunting fan and love spending time hunting with my family, but it’s not a year-round addiction for me. However, I do have a year-round addiction when it comes to the cow-calf industry, and that’s creating habitat.

Avid deer hunters, for example, establish habitat to keep trophy bucks on their property all year long. They will establish cover for the winter, various bedding areas, and season-long food sources. As cow-calf producers, we do a great job of creating feed. However, we typically don’t get to the long-term planning for cow habitat.

I think we’ve all been jealous of ranches that we’ve visited that have long thick tree rows circling the pasture to the south. That pasture is loaded with deep grass and has a gentle roll with some cuts for shelter. Due to your terrain, you may not be able to duplicate that perfect scenario, but let’s hash out some ways to emulate it the best we can.

Over the last decade, we have been spoiled with great products

CALVING PASTURE MIX

like portable windbreaks and calving shelters coming to the market. These certainly provide a ton of protection for cows and newborns alike, but I believe they need to be placed into the right pastures or fields to support herd health best. The principles of keeping calves on clean dry ground with plenty of space still need to be emphasized.

There are two cropping systems that can be utilized to build calf habitat that are functional and profitable. The annual system that fits nicely into your cash crop rotation is utilizing cereal rye. Rye can work well for producers calving late April and May, as it is a winter annual that breaks dormancy in late March or early April.

I like to set this up by planting it on corn silage ground in early September. When mid-April rolls around, the rye should be shin high. By late-May it will be waist high. This field provides a fresh clean place for calves, shelter, and supplemental forage for the cows. Your pairs can be on this through May, which lines up nicely with your pasture grasses getting ready to be turned out on. It also times well with planting your cash crop of soybeans or another annual forage such as millet or sorghum.

The second system would be a perennial option. This would be a grass blend designed specifically to calve on and, if your environment allows, provide a cutting of hay. Grasses that I like for calving pastures are sod-forming, early growing, and can tolerate traffic and over-grazing.

A few grasses that fit the bill would be forage Kentucky bluegrass, smooth brome, crested wheatgrass, and tall forage fescue.

These are all cool-season grasses that will be green and growing in the spring while you have pairs on it. Since they are forage grasses, they’ll regrow to provide a cutting in July. To manage it well, leave it alone through the fall to allow some growth through the winter.

If you do not plan on getting a cutting of hay, I’d also include switchgrass and big bluestem in the pasture. Those are warm-season grasses that will provide more shelter as they’ll start growth in mid-summer while pairs are off it. Then, when it’s spring, you’ll have last year’s overgrowth to provide comfort and protection.

As we approach calving season, take note of your calf habitat. This is always the start to good herd health. Be proactive and grow your environment.

Renovo Seed, Brookings, S.D.

The team of folks at Renovo Seed have roots that run deep in farming, agriculture, and in the overall respect for the landscape. They opened their doors in 1987 and continue to walk alongside farmers, ranchers, and landowners across thousands of acres throughout the Midwest.

CEREAL RYE COVER CROP

Photos courtesy Renovo Seed learn more renovoseed.com

CALVING PASTURE MIX

Common Sense Approach to Genetic Excellence

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» Real-world data

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» Large numbers of ET and AI siblings for consistency

» Wintering and delivery options

» Feeder calf marketing

Capture the added value of your THsired calf crop through a variety of Topp Herefords alliance programs. Multiple marketing options suited for your operation’s needs:

» Conventional bids—forward contracts, retained ownership, spot pricing;

» NHTC-forward contract;

» Buyer Support at sale barns and video auctions.

» Replacement-quality heifer solutions

Premium pricing buy-back program for replacement quality F1 heifers sired by Topp Herefords bulls. In seven years we have purchased back over 13,000 head of TH-sired replacement quality heifers.

BULL SALE

At the Ranch, Grace City, ND 1 PM (CST) February 14, 2025

info@toppherefords.com

Topp Herefords—Crossbreeding Solutions

» Topp Herefords makes crossbreeding easy—consistently improving net profits in commercial Angus herds.

On average, commercial Angus herds can expect a 5 percent increase in weaning weights from heterosis. If the average cow raises seven calves, in today’s market that’s an additional $488 in gross revenue. Multiply that by a herd of 250 cows and you are adding $122,000 to the bottom line without additional inputs. Can you afford not to crossbreed?

» Curious about how other cattlemen are making crossbreeding work at scale? Call Topp Herefords, 701.674.3152.

Hats Off to Initiative

By Cheryl Kepes

photos courtesy Muir family

The story of Muir Embroidery’s rise from a single hat machine to a storefront property and how the small hat business saved the family farm.

Abit of ingenuity mixed with a ton of hard work saved the Muir family farm decades ago. A side hustle the family took on in desperation to keep from losing their cattle and crop operation in Rippey, Iowa, did much more than generate additional income – it flourished into a thriving business.

Muir Embroidery, now owned and operated by Todd and Roxanne Muir, made its mark in the custom hat business. Muir Embroidery’s products have been well-known in the livestock community for almost 50 years. The company’s signature designs include hats, jackets, shirts, chairs and many other products to help livestock producers showcase their operations.

The Muir family derives satisfaction from creating products to help farmers and ranchers advertise their operations. When livestock producers wear clothing or utilize products with their operation’s logo it builds confidence and pride. This is a phenomenon Todd Muir discovered during the early days of the family’s custom hat business.

“Because farmers were wearing their logos, it took them to a new level of professionalism, and they were no longer just a farmer. See, it used to be they would come up to the sales booth and I would ask, ‘What do you do?’ They would reply, ‘I’m just a farmer.’ And our goal is to help get rid of the word just. They are not just a farmer. These people are professional men and women with millions of dollars in assets and they are trying to put food on the table for the rest of the world while making a living,” Todd Muir explained.

BORN OF NECESSITY

The business started with Todd’s parents, Dwight and Sue Muir. A nationally imposed ceiling on beef prices, rising corn prices, and other economic pressures thrust the Muir family farm into dire straits in the mid-1970s. The family’s 600-acre

farm and feedlot were in jeopardy. The family’s financial problems mounted as the decade progressed.

In 1977, drought struck their area of Iowa forcing many farmers into financial ruin. So much so, many of them could not pay Dwight for the custom corn combining he did for

them. “By the time I graduated in 1982, we made the front page of the Des Moines Register with the largest loan in the state of Iowa through FHA. We were $790,000 in,” Todd recalled.

But not all was lost. Dwight and Sue and the rest of the family held on to a thread of hope - a single-head, heat-seal cap machine. It didn’t look like much, but it would be the source for digging them out of debt and keeping the farm afloat.

HAT BUSINESS

The Muir family was well versed in the cattle industry. Dwight and Sue, along with their four children; Teela, Terry, Todd, and Julie, spent years fitting, showing, and marketing cattle throughout the country. While selling and showcasing cattle in Louisville in 1975, Dwight purchased five hats with the family farm name in flocked letters on the front. Months later, when he proudly wore the cap to the National Western Stock Show (NWSS) in Denver, Colo., he was overwhelmed by the response. Fellow livestock

producers greeted him by his farm name, complimented the hat, and thus an idea was born.

The following year, Dwight and some of the Muir kids loaded up cattle to showcase and sell in Louisville. But they returned with much more – Dwight purchased the supplies needed to start a hat business. He came home with a hat machine, 36 caps in five colors, and three trays of letters in red, royal blue, and black.

“He brings in this little single-headed hat press, these letters, and hats and puts them on the dining room table. And Mom said, ‘Dwight, what are we going to do with this?’ He said, ‘You’re going to make hats. She went from farm wife and raising kids to a professional hatmaker in 0.3 seconds,” Todd reminisced with a chuckle.

ONE STEP AT A TIME

The Muir family didn’t know the first thing about making custom printed hats, but they did know a lot about perseverance. Sue had no instructional manual, no internet searches to rely on, no videos to guide her. She simply jumped in and started practicing. In the meantime, Dwight began to set up accounts with hat companies to get a product line up and running. By the time the 1976 Iowa Beef Expo rolled around, the Muirs were ready to offer custom printed caps.

The little hat machine soon started earning its keep. Farmers and ranchers lined up at state fairs, beef expos, and national cattle competitions to buy custom merchandise. Dwight, Sue, and Todd would work the booth making hats on the spot. “We would work 14, 16, 18-hour days trying to get hats made to give to everybody the next day,” Todd said.

above The Muir family (l-r): Tyler, Cody (in front), Natasha, Todd, Roxanne, Kenzie (in front), Bridget, and Ian.

The hat business gained enough momentum to help the family through their tough financial times in the late-1970s and early-1980s. “By then, that little hat machine is what helped get us to where we could feed the family and pay our heat bills and everything. So, that’s how we survived there for a while,” Todd recalled.

The business grew to the point that the Muirs started shipping orders to customers. The family added a room to their farmhouse to house all the inventory and equipment.

EXPANDING TO EMBROIDERY

Todd and Roxanne’s responsibility with the business increased as he stepped into adulthood. In 1987, Todd took out a loan to buy the company’s first embroidery machine. The massive machine possessed the capability to embroider four items at the same time.

Muir Embroidery continued to take its operation on the road. The Muir family and a crew of employees loaded up their equipment and products and traveled to state fairs, beef expos, national cattle shows, cattle sales, and other large-scale events across the country. The popularity and demand for their products soared.

BRICK AND MORTAR

The Muirs embarked on another business first in 2004. Todd and Roxanne and their children purchased the company from Dwight and Sue and moved Muir Embroidery off the farm to a building in nearby Jefferson, Iowa. The building provided the business with more space, a storefront, and a showroom.

Todd’s wife, Roxanne, has played an integral role in the success of the business through the years. She’s spent countless hours operating the embroidery machines. “She is so efficient, she gets more done accidentally than I do on purpose,” Todd shared.

Muir Embroidery currently carries an inventory of 13,000 hats as well as 4,000 coats and shirts. The company offers many other products including chairs and footwear. The business operates with multiple single-head embroidery machines and a heat transfer machine. The Muirs ship orders to customers all over the world.

The Muirs take their product line on the road to several major livestock shows and expos each year, that generates more than enough orders to keep the family busy without a website and online orders. These days Todd and Roxanne run the business with the help of their daughter, Bridget, and her husband, Ian. Todd and Roxanne’s son, Tyler, and his wife, Natasha, are also involved with the operation. Todd’s favorite assistants are his grandkids, Kenzie and Cody.

DREAM REALIZED

After close to five decades in the hat making business, the Muir family looks back with deep satisfaction. “The biggest thing is, Dad was bound and determined that they weren’t going to take the farm away from him and somehow, he got it done. He had some buddies who threw in the towel and said, ‘I can’t do this anymore.’ The drive of the whole family was to try to save our 600 acres, and we did it,” Todd said.

Muir Embroidery did much more than accomplish its original goal. Due to the heart and hard work of the Muirs, they created a business that helped pull them out of an economic crisis, kept the farm in the family, and created new opportunities for current and future generations of the Muir family. They achieved all of that while making

thousands of livestock producers feel especially proud to sport a hat or coat or tee-shirt or whatever the product may be with their personal farm logo perfectly displayed.

Upon reflecting on their journey, members of the Muir family say their hearts are filled with gratitude for everyone who has been a part of their business venture. Todd said the Muir Embroidery team summed up their appreciation this way, “Hats off to an incredible story of a little red machine and years filled with great customers and friendships. Thank you for almost 50 years of support!”

learn more facebook.com - Muir Embroidery

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Veterinarian View

Health & Reproduction questions answered and explained.

contributed article by Dr. Vince Collison Collison Embryo and Veterinary Services, Rockwell City, Iowa collisonembryoservices.com

A CHAIN IS ONLY AS STRONG AS ITS WEAKEST LINK

hen I’m asked about how we can have the greatest success with an embryo transfer (ET) program, I often respond with the statement: “A chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link”.

As we start the season for transferring embryos into beef cattle for next year’s calving, it’s a good time to review what we can do to help maximize success on embryo transfer day. Embryo transfer is a complex chain of events and recipients, embryos, facilities, and technicians all play a part in the outcome. Any weak links in the chain and results can breakdown quickly.

RECIPIENTS:

• This is probably the most important part in the success of an ET program. Try to eliminate cows from the transfer group that have a history of poor fertility.

• Have recipients in good body condition. Also, try to eliminate cows with histories of poor mothering ability, poor milk, and poor dispositions.

• Perform all vaccinations at least 30 days before estrus synchronization will start. Especially when using modified live vaccines for pre-breeding.

• If purchasing cows for recipients, try to procure them at least 45 days before the planned transfer date. It will take this long to get the cow vaccinated ahead of time. It also allows the cows to settle into their new environment. It will take some time to adapt to a new herd and for their immune system to stabilize with the new herd. It also allows you some time to find any issues on any of the new cows that may need addressed or cause them to be culled before receiving an embryo.

• I wrote an article for the November 2024 issue that covers a lot of what makes a good recipient. Refer to this article if you are going to be acquiring new recipients.

• Have the nutrition right for the recipient cow, before and after transfers. How the recipient is fed plays a large role in the fetal programing (epigenomics) of the developing embryo. What happens now with recipient nutrition can affect the calf for life and even carry on for the future generations that this embryo calf will produce.

• Make sure the energy level in the ration is high enough that the cow is gaining body

condition, especially for recipients that are younger and nursing calves. On the other hand, don’t feed them into a state of obesity. Cows that are obese can have reduced fertility. I would rather have a greener cow that is gaining weight for a recipient, than a cow that is over fat and trying to lose weight.

• Keep the recipients on a good trace mineral program prior to calving and throughout the breeding season. I’m a fan of having some mineral chelate in the mineral product. Chelated mineral will absorb better.

• Provide recipients with plenty of shade and access to fresh water. During the hot summer months, access to shade can help to improve pregnancy rates and reduce early embryonic loss.

FACILITIES:

• Have the working facilities under roof if possible, or at least have the area where embryos are thawed and handled under a shaded area that is protected from direct sunlight.

• Have a squeeze chute with a palp cage that shuts securely to prevent cattle in the alley behind the chute from pushing through while working. Also, a palp cage that is big enough to work comfortably behind the cow.

• Pens that allow for easy sorting and low stress handling of the cows.

• Set up so that there is minimal activity out in front of the headgate while performing transfers so the recipients will stay calm.

• Have enough help to efficiently move cattle through the working system with minimal stress.

EMBRYO HANDLING:

• I would start this section by saying that how embryos are handled is super critical to success. I’ve seen many producers expose embryos in the neck of the tank longer than they should while trying to locate embryos. The neck of the tank is -80°C and thaw damage can start to occur at temperatures over -130°C.

• Keep the area for thawing and loading embryos protected from direct sunlight.

• Have the thawing area protected from wind. Many technicians will work with embryos in a nitrogen filled dewar while thawing. Protection from wind keeps the nitrogen from burning off so fast and helps to keep the thawing process more consistent.

• If you are storing your own embryos, keep canes containing embryos down below the neck of the tank as much as possible. Embryos are more prone to thaw damage than semen. We like to use a flashlight to locate the cane we

want to pull while it is down in the body of the tank so as to minimize the amount of time the canister spends in the neck of the tank.

• When receiving embryos from a shipment, pour some nitrogen into the dry vapor shipper before moving embryos from the shipping tank to the regular nitrogen storage tank. This keeps the goblets on the cane full of nitrogen and protects the embryos during the move between tanks.

• Work to line the stage of the embryo up with the synchrony of the recipient. When transferring embryos into a group of recipients, it’s nice to make sure that stage seven embryos are going into cows that showed heat eight days prior as much as possible. This is probably even more important when transferring IVF embryos.

• If storing your own embryos, try to have the records of embryo inventory available on transfer day. This makes it easier to locate the embryos if we can know the cane codes. Also, this paperwork will have the stage and grade of each individual embryo. This will make it easier to plan which embryos

go into recipients based on when they came into heat. If you receive any shipments of embryos, there should always be some paperwork that is included that shows all of this information.

TECHNICIANS:

• In many embryo sales they will often guarantee a certain pregnancy rate if embryos are transferred by a certified technician. AETA certification is a program administered by the American Embryo Transfer Association. To be certified, a DVM or Ph.D. in animal reproduction has to pass an eight-part exam. In addition, they have to provide documentation of a certain volume of work performed in the last year along with several client references. While many proficient technicians are not certified, this program ensures a certain level of competence. Lastly, remember ET is a process where details make the difference.

learn more collisonembryoservices.com

Dr. Vince Collison is co-owner of Collison Embryo and Veterinary Services PAC in Rockwell City, Iowa.

52nd ANNUAL

PRODUCTION SALE

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 1:00 p.m. CST

At the ranch located eight miles north and one mile west of Guide Rock, Nebraska

2025 marks our 73rd year in the Polled Hereford business.

Selling 40 bulls, All 2 years old. Selling 35 heifers, 2 years old, bred for spring calves.

Our herd is ranked high on the list of 2023 Dams of Distinction. We have held 49 successful sales and have sold cattle into 37 states, Canada and Argentina.

KCC1 3BCC LEGEND 5L | ASA: 4444463 | PB SM

OMF JOURNEYMAN J24 x KCC1 SWC HARMONY 847H

A powerful age advantaged herd sire prospect that is sire by the $110,000 OMF Journeyman J24 and backed by the leading lady in Rushville, Nebraska!

KCC1 3BCC WOODFORD 4017M | ASA: 4444382

WHF/JS/CCS WOODFORD J001 x KCC1 SWC HARMONY 847H

Tremendous calving ease, growth, and carcass merit! This son of WHF/JS/CCS Woodford J001 is a true sale feature!

KCC1 3BCC FOLSOM 4021M | ASA: 4444385

KCC1 FOLSOM 512F x KCC1 SWC HARMONY 847H

A heavy weaning son of the $39,000 KCC1 Folsom 5122F that is backed by the maternal prowess of 847H!

KCC1 3BCC WOODFORD 4016M | ASA: 4444386

WHF/JS/CCS WOODFORD J001 x KCC1 SWC HARMONY 847H

The largest o ering of sons from the dynamic KCC1 SWC Harmony 847H will sell on March 6, 2025!

KCC1 REMEDY 4178M | ASA: 4444383

SO REMEDY 7F x STN MISS STAR LIGHT

4178M is a FULL BROTHER to the $510,000 GPG Cornerstone 1K. A powerful set of SO Remedy 7F sons sell on March 6, 2025!

KCC1 3BCC FORESIGHT 4500M | ASA: 4444384

VCL FORESIGHT x KCC1 SWC HARMONY 847H

4500M is an elite phenotype herd sire prospect that is sired by VCL Foresight!

KCC1 KRYPTON 4199M | ASA: 4444389

3BCC KCC1 KRYPTON 100K x KCC1 GWEN 9073G

4199M is a son of the $450,000 3BCC KCC1 Krypton 100K that is out of a maternal sister of KR Casino 6243!

BIGK/WSC IRON HORSE 025F

V A R SIGNAL 7244

LINZ EXEMPLIFY 71124

FF RITO ROYAL 7EX10

GMAR INNOVATOR 9304

DEER VALLEY CITADEL 8128

DEER VALLEY HI TECH 7844

SQUARE B AQUIFER 8054

WSC FLASH G123 & MORE!

Lot 6

Saturday, February 22, 2025

Valentine Livestock Auction, approximately 3 pm CT • Valentine, Nebraska

(AFTER RAVENSCROFT RED ANGUS SALE)

Selling 57 yearling registered Angus: 47 powerful bulls, 10 top quality heifers

856M Reg# 21062558 Huckleberry x Payweight 1682 Lot 5 100M Reg# 21071392

Plus 7 yearling SimAngus: 5 outstanding bulls, 2 beautiful heifers

Reg# 21069309

x Payweight 1682

Reg# 21062553

x Payweight 1682 Lot 53

x Payweight 1682 Lot 55 433M Reg# +21062606

x Discovery Lot 58

Reg# 21061861

Reg# +21062700

x Great Plains

Reg# 21072358

In the kitchen with

Lydia Jindra

Jindra Angus - Clarkson, Neb.

Together with my husband, Nick, we work alongside with family the dayto-day responsibilities of farming, ranching, and the chaos of a growing family with our three children, Carrie (5), Emma (4), and Cole (2). Jindra Angus is a fifth-generation farming family located near Clarkson, Neb., where we focus on producing high-quality Angus cattle. Our goal is to produce functional cattle that work well in varying environments and continue to create a superior product for the consumer. Customer satisfaction from our commercial cattlemen all the way to the consumer is very important to us. Our upcoming bull sale is on February 12, 2025, featuring a premier offering of stout yearling and older bulls along with a fancy set of registered yearling heifers. We are excited about this year’s sale offering as it marks the 25th Annual Production Sale for Jindra Angus and it is truly a testament to a productive and efficient cow herd, a vertically integrated program, and exceptional customers. It has been an awesome experience to get to know and work with so many great cattlemen and women across the country! We greatly appreciate the support of family, so many friends, and customers that have been with us along the way!”

Where did you learn to cook?

“

Although all my family knows how to cook, no one does it better than Mom. She started teaching me how to make 4-H cookies and biscuits and graduated to helping with weekday suppers. I have been fortunate into my adult life to be surrounded by other women who enjoy bonding with ‘girl dinners,’ and now I enjoy swapping recipes with my sister-in-laws.

What is your favorite cooking tip/trick?

STOCK Kitchen

Double your casseroles, cookie recipes, and any other dessert. The additional can go in the freezer or be shared with a neighbor or friend.” “

What is your most requested dish or what is your favorite thing to make?

Cinnamon rolls have become a community favorite; they really are a labor of love. However, I believe it doesn’t get any easier or more delicious than a classic rib eye or New York strip steak, grilled medium-rare of course.”

What is your least favorite job in the kitchen?

It’s a toss-up between washing dishes and deciding what to make for supper (that my young kids will sit down and eat). This last year they have gotten involved more with meal planning and cooking “their meal”; it has made this chore much more fun!”

Cowboy approved recipes used by our favorite country cooks.

BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIBS

Lydia Jindra

6-plus beef short ribs

2 T. butter

1 whole onion, sliced

2 T. minced garlic

2 tsp. rosemary

2 tsp. thyme

2 tsp. parsley

½ - 1 c. red wine

salt and pepper to taste

Step 1: Separate beef ribs and pat dry with a paper towel. Generously season beef ribs with salt and pepper and set aside. Step 2: In a Dutch oven (or oven safe deep pan), melt 1 T. butter over medium-high heat. Braise beef ribs for three minutes on each side, cook in batches if needed, and set aside on separate plate. Step 3: Keep the beef drippings in the pan, then melt remaining butter with sliced onion, cook over low heat until onions are soft. Step 4: To the pan add in aromatics: garlic, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Add ½ cup of red wine, any red will do. Return beef ribs to the pan, cover the entire dish and finish in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours.

Note: Beef short ribs seem to be another cut of meat that leaves consumers stumped. This recipe is a must for a cozy Sunday meal.

ANNUAL BULL SALE:

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

At The Bull Center, Clarkson, Neb.

EASY WEEKNIGHT STEAK BITES

Lydia Jindra

1 - 2 lbs. stew meat

2 - 4 T. butter

2 T. minced garlic

1 T. parsley salt and pepper to taste

Step 1: Pat the stew meat dry with a paper towel, salt and pepper and set aside. Step 2: In a large skillet, melt together butter, garlic, and parsley. On medium-high heat, add seasoned stew meat, cook for two minutes, and flip meat to brown all sides. Step 3: Turn the heat down to low and let simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or as you prepare your sides. Optional step: To the drippings add ¼ cup of flour to form a roux, slowly add 2 cups of whole milk or cream to create a thickened sauce to go over noodles or your preferred side of potato.

Note: I think as women in the cattle industry we hold a responsibility to advocate all cuts of beef for the consumer. Steak and ground beef are easily marketable as they are versatile cuts and easy to prepare. This recipe is a surprising twist as it utilizes stew meat as the star of the dish, an inexpen- sive cut that can still be as delicious and tender as a cut of steak.

MOM’S CINNAMON ROLLS

Lydia Jindra

Basic Roll Dough

4 heaping tsp. active dry yeast

½ c. warm water

½ c. (1 stick) butter, melted

2 c. scalded milk

½ c. granulated sugar (plus a pinch)

1 tsp. salt

7 c. (or more) all-purpose flour

2 eggs

Filling

½ c. (1 stick) butter, room temperature

½ c. brown sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

Icing

½ c. (1 stick) butter, room temperature

1 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese

1 tsp. vanilla

4 c. confectioners’ sugar

¼ c. whole milk

Step 1: Soften yeast in warm water and a pinch of sugar and set aside. Step 2: Combine butter, milk, sugar, and salt. Add in 3 cups of flour and mix well. Beat in yeast and eggs. Gradually add remaining flour to form a soft dough ball. Step 3: Cover and let rise for two hours or until doubled in size. Turn out on to a lightly floured surface and knead dough adding just enough flour that dough is manageable and no longer sticky. Cut in half. Roll each half into approximately 16x8 rectangle. Step 4: Onto the rolled-out dough spread butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon evenly. Roll lengthwise and pinch seam onto the roll. Trim ends, then cut each roll into 12 even slices (makes 24 slices total). Step 5: Place cut side down onto a greased 9x13 baking pan. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes or until doubled. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 13 to 15 minutes. Step 6: For frosting, cream together cream cheese and butter, then add vanilla extract. Slowly add confectioners’ sugar 1 cup at a time, then add in whole milk. Beat until desired thickness; for stiffer frosting add more sugar, for thinner frosting add more milk.

MEAD FIREBALL 41135

Birth

MEAD STATESMAN 41683

Birth Date: 11-28-2023 • Reg. *21048127

*Virginia Tech Statesman x +*Connealy Beyond Doubt 838X

CED -2, BW +3.1, WW +83, YW +154, Milk +32, CW +87, Marb +1.24, RE +.86, $M +66, $W +74, $B +214, $C +344

MEAD CONCLUSION 41424

Birth Date: 12-27-2023 • Reg. *21032225

+*V A R Conclusion 0234 x *Connealy National 390C CED +9, BW +1.6, WW +95, YW +161, Milk +36, CW +91, Marb +1.02, RE +1.50, $M +57, $W +97, $B +219, $C +341

MEAD HOUSTON 41672

Birth Date: 11-25-2023 • P44594383

H086

MEAD COMMERCE 41223

Birth Date: 11-29-2023 • Reg. +*21029426

*Connealy Commerce x #*Connealy Confidence Plus

CED +14, BW +.1, WW +94, YW +160, Milk +34, CW +65, Marb +.81, RE +1.00, $M +92, $W +98, $B +167, $C +309

MEAD ENERGIZE 41765

Birth Date: 11-25-2023 • 4964052

Bieber CL Energize F121 x 3SCC Domain A163 CED +14, BW -2.0, WW +78, YW +128, Stay +17, Milk +31, CW +40, Marb +0.46, RE +0.31, PROS +144,

SALE • THIRD TUESDAY OF JANUARY

WORLD CLASS FEMALE SALE • THIRD FRIDAY OF SEPTEMBER

Red Angus Classic

He Sells!

She Sells!

CONNEALY

POSS

TUESDAY MARCH 4

Sale Barn Study

s I wrote this article, we have received our first snowstorm of the winter and my four little ones could not wait to throw on their snow pants and go play in the white stuff! Me on the other hand, not so excited about leaving the warmth and comfort of my office. It is because they are looking forward to joy and fun and I am dreading frozen waters and/or sick cattle. Either way, it is safe to say that winter is upon us!

A review of the current cattle market.

this fat cattle deal to continue an upward trend going into the new year and into spring. How high we can go, that is the million-dollar question!

contributed article by Kirk Lynch Lynch Livestock Inc. and Humeston Livestock Exchange, Humeston, Iowa humestonlivestockexchange.com

GREAT START TO 2025

ell, 2025 has sure started out with a bang. It seems that every day to start the year, the market kept going up. I had several people ask me, “What are (fill in the blank) worth?” I finally got to the point that I had to say, “Today they are worth (this), tomorrow or next week I cannot tell you.”

Now to look at some of the market reports that we have been seeing in the barns. The fat cattle market has been on a hot streak for several weeks, until this past week, when we experienced a slight dip in the market. We have seen some highs in the mid to high forties, but these have been some extremes. Most cash cattle in the country have been trading at forty level or slightly higher the past couple of weeks. I expect there to be a few bumps in the road, but I expect

A little bit of what we have been seeing in the barns. On the fat cattle side we have seen some fats all the way up to mid-teens, crushing any record of past sale toppers. We see cash bids in the country lagging but still extraordinarily strong in that $2.05 range and seem to continue to go up every week.

Being the fat cattle market has taken off; the weigh cow and bull market has followed. Seeing several high yielding cows bringing in that $1.20 to $1.40 range and bulls up to the $1.50 range. With the fat cattle market continuing to creep up, I would look for this market to stay strong unless there is some sort of event where there is a major loss of newborns or small calves to where ranchers would just dump cows that lose a calf.

The higher fat cattle market is driving a higher price for the feeder cattle market as well, even with the higher feedstuff inputs. We have seen some front end big strings of 800 pounds bringing well into the sixties and some 600-pound cattle bringing into the seventies and eighties. Once again these are some extreme tops. We have been trying to fill up our own lots as fast as possible, as I am not sure the feeder cattle are going to get any cheaper. We have been able to find cattle at cheaper prices than that and so when we do projects they are in the black.

The cull cow and bull market has lagged the fat market, as from all reports there have been around six

Kirk Lynch, Lynch Livestock Inc., Waucoma, IA Kirk is the Beef Division manager for Lynch Livestock Inc. and oversees all aspects of their backgrounding and cattle feeding operations throughout Iowa and Kansas. He is also deeply involved in the newly reopened Humeston Livestock Exchange in Humeston, Iowa. In addition, Kirk and his wife Mary own and operate Heartland Simmentals in Northeast Iowa, which is a seed stock operation that consists of 500 registered Simmental and Angus cows. They have four children: Gabrielle (8), Brayden (7), Vivian (5), and Bianca (1).

HUMESTON LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE

Humeston, Iowa 641-877-6092

percent more last year, making supply of cows. down, which be into next year, cow and bull with the same market.

The breeding been up and cently, I heard commercial pairs $2,000 and then can buy all the I want for $1,200 are looking to now is the time reasonably priced with increased are going to be ply over the next Wishing everyone Christmas and

At some point all these markets must plateau and stabilize a bit. But overall, 2025 is off to an amazing start and things look great for this year. Until next month!

The feeder market has just been

In the News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2025 FOUNDATION HEIFER AWARD WINNER

Allison Myers, the 12-year-old daughter of Wade and Kelly Myers of Osceola, Iowa has recently been selected as the recipient of this year’s Iowa Foundation Heifer Award. Allison has a 16-year-old brother, Jack, and a 5-year-old sister, Charlotte. As an award winner, she received three purebred Charolais bred heifers which were purchased from MLL Charolais, the Marty Lewis Family herd located at Monroe, Iowa. The foundation heifers of the breed of the winner’s choice are awarded each year by Iowa Beef Breeds Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation. At the end of five years, Allison will be required to repay $7,500 to help with funding to keep the program moving into the future. The program is in year 15 and was developed to help youth establish purebred seedstock herds of their own.

Allison is a seventh-grade student at Murray Community School in Murray, Iowa where she is currently involved in Middle School FFA, volleyball, basketball, and TRIO and she is involved in her Faith Fellowship Church youth group. She is in her 4th year as a member of the Clarke County 4-H Cooking Club and was chosen to serve as this year’s assistant secretary. She aspires to teach others about cattle as an impact and a part of the world’s food chain and economy. In addition, she is a member of the Iowa Junior Charolais Association and the National Junior Charolais Association. She shares her family’s love of the Charolais breed and has shown not only at her local county fair, but also at various state shows and a National Junior Charolais show.

One of Allison’s current projects is an Ag Education SAE project with cattle that she is doing with her mother’s 3rd Grade Class at Murray Community School. She calls it “Adopt A Cow” and every month she sends them videos and fun games to teach them about cattle. She is using her steer for next year named Max as their adoptee. They are learning about different breeds of cattle, products that can be made from cattle and their by-products, as well as, how to feed and care for your calves.

Allison’s recommendations credit her with having an amazing amount of practical cattle knowledge. They also credited her with having an impressive public speaking ability and being a smart, hard-working, responsible cattle enthusiast. She wants to learn more about genetics, breeding, feeding, grazing practices, budgets and promotion of the beef industry. She is an excellent showman but her main goal and plan is to learn how to better care for her cattle and to teach others the

benefits resulting from the beef industry in today’s world.

She will be honored at the Iowa Charolais Association Banquet to be held at the Expo Bull Pen on Saturday, February 8th at 7:00 pm during the Iowa Beef Expo and at the IJBBA Year End Awards held in the Jacobson Center on Friday, February 14th at 6:00 pm.

-Norma Bolton, for the Iowa Beef Breeds Council

www.cjbrownstudios.com cowpainter@t6b.com 1026 North Front Street P.O. Box 407 Humeston, Iowa 50123 Phone: 641-877-6092 | Fax: 641-847-5117

904 North Mulford Lindenwood, Illinois, 61049 815-751-6314

If you happen to attend the NWSS in Denver, stop by my booth in the Yards to see my newest and final Denver piece, “Whispers in the Yards”!

“Black Friday” Production Sale every November. Follow us on Instagram & Facebook for daily updates on our program. Visit our website:

.com

605 Sires & Donors

Alpha Syndicate

Apex Angus

Barnes Family Cattle

Bear Mountain Angus

Beckers Angus

Behlen Country

Berwald Red Angus

Big Rok Angus

Blue Lake Plastics

Bowlin Cattle Co.

Bradshaw Ranch

Brad Z Ranch

Bredemeier Angus Farms

Breeder Link

BritAmerica Mgmt. Group

Bullerman Angus / K&J Angus

Bush Angus

Cason’s Pride and Joy

Cattle Visions

Churchill Cattle Co.

CJ Brown Studios

CNN Cattle Co.

Collison Angus

Combined Forces Sale

Crawford, Scott

CSL Auctions Inc.

De-Su Angus

Deppe Angus

Double D Angus

Eastern Iowa Angus Assn.

Fawcett’s Elm Creek Ranch

Friedrich, Parker

Gilchrist, Kyle

Gold Buckle Cattle Services

Graham Angus

Hanel Black Simmentals

Hawkeye Breeders

Hilltop Farms

Hoos Cow Angus

Humeston Livestock Exch.

I-29 Bull Run

Illini Elite Sale

Integrity Stock Shots

International Angus Forum

Iowa Angus Assn.

Iowa Beef Expo

Iowa Maine Anjou Assn.

J.J. Scheckel Angus

Jindra Angus

K&J Angus / Bullerman Angus

Kearns Cattle Co.

Kenny Angus

Kester / Valley Creek Ranch

Laflin Angus Ranch

Layton, Dustin

Lazy H Ranch

Lazy J Bar Red Angus

Lazy JB Angus

Leland-Koester Red Angus

Linz Heritage Angus

Lowderman, Monte

Lowderman Auction Options

Martens Angus Farms

Matthews Coach’s Corral

Mead Farms

Miller Angus

Missouri Futurity

Mogck and Sons Angus

Moke Angus

Money Maker bull

Muir Embroidery

Musgrave Angus

NCC-The Classic

NGN Red Angus

Nordlund Stock Farm

North Dakota Simmental Assn.

Opportunities Knockin’ Sale

Panther Creek Ranch

Pembrook Cattle Co.

Petersek’s Raven Angus

Pleasant Hill Farms

Powder River

Radke Land and Cattle

Rawhide Portable Corral

RCO, Inc.

Red Angus Classic

Reid Angus

Renovo Seed

RL Fleckvieh Limerock Ranch

Rogers Cattle Co. Red Angus

S&S Polled Herefords

Safety Zone Calf Catchers

Schiefelbein Farms

Schilling Cattle

Schooley Cattle Co.

Sealpro Silage Barrier Films

Slate Group

Sonderup Angus

Stockman Design Services

Studer Shorthorns

Styles Angus

The Judge Source

TNT Simmentals

Topp Herefords

Tracer Minerals

Udder Tech

Valley Creek Ranch / Kester

Valley Oaks Angus

Volk Livestock

Voss Angus

Wagner Herefords

Walker’s Red Barn Genetics

Wall Street Cattle Co.

Warner Beef Genetics

Weishaar, Seth

Wiese & Sons

Wilde Angus Ranch

Wilkinson Farms Simmentals

Wisconsin Hereford Assn.

Y-Tex Corporation

ZWT Ranch

The Stockman hereby expressly limits its liability resulting from any and all misprints, errors and/or inaccuracies whatsoever in the advertisement and editorial content published by The Stockman and its said liability is here by limited to the refund of the customer for its payment for said advertisement, or the running of the corrected advertisement, or editorial notice. Notification by the customer of any error must be made within 30 days of the distribution of the magazine. Advertising copy received after the deadline may not be returned for proofing. Changes to advertising copy made after the deadline date will be allowed only if time permits, and will incur the appropriate charges according to time and materials involved in the changes. The opinions or views expressed in the editorials are those of the persons interviewed in the article and not The Stockman magazine. The Stockman does however reserve the right to edit or refuse all material which might be objectionable in content. No material or part thereof may be reproduced or used out of context, without prior specific approval of a proper credit to The Stockman

STOCKMAN traight

About the Stockman.

My family consists of my wife, Janet (we’ve been married for 48 years); my son, Colton, and his wife, Cassie, and their daughter, Callah; my son, Landon (my partner in the cattle operation), his wife, Brittany, and their children, Tucker and Neleigh. I bought my first two half-blood Simmental females in 1974 while still in high school and we’ve continued raising Simmental cattle to this day. My son, Landon, developed the same passion for cattle that I have and is my partner in this operation. We’ve been in the seedstock business for more than 40 years. We focus on producing high-quality bulls for our customers’ herds as well as topnotch females. We have two production sales each year: an annual female sale in the fall and an annual bull sale in the spring.”

Your go-to sorting apparatus?

Feed bunks - when sorting calves, we put feed in the bunks while the cows are eating, then we sort the calves off.

Describe your best day.

The best day is when pairs go to pasture in the spring.”

What is your least favorite job on the farm?

Choring when it’s really muddy!!”

A conversation with everyday Stockmen,

Denny Cason

Denny Cason Simmentals of Albia, Iowa

What is the most used tool on your farm? How old is it?

Pearson self-catching head gate, it’s been in three different locations. I bought it in 1977. Although it is 47 years old – it’s still working. Also, I couldn’t survive without our John Deere Gator 2017 (16, 000 miles) with all farm miles.”

ANNUAL BULL SALE: Saturday, March 1, 2025

Russell Livestock Market - Russell, Iowa

The most important lesson you’ve learned in this business?

Pay close attention to detail, if the details aren’t taken care of at the right time, this can make all the difference in success or failure.”

What about the beef cattle industry excites you the most?

Knowing that the product we produce is of great value to our food chain and is produced in an efficient and safe environment.”

Your favorite non-farm activity to do in your free time?

Time with my grandkids and family, Iowa Hawkeyes sports, and Fox News.