$60,000 High Selling Female in our 2023 Fall Production Sale and the most decorated PGS heifer in history! Reserve Champion PGS Heifer | 2024 NJAS Champion PGS Heifer | 2024 ERJAS · Reserve Champion PGS Heifer | and 2024 Western National Angus Futurity CONGRATULATIONS, BROOKE DAVIS!
Saturday, November 16, 2024 u 1 pm CST at the farm u Lodi, WI
SELLING PGS OPEN SHOW HEIFER PROSPECTS, BRED HEIFERS, BRED COWS, AND COW/CALF PAIRS
Guest Consignors: Johnson Family Cattle, Premier Angus, Lone Oak Angus and Spring Creek Cattle Company
20981675 Marda Premier Isabel 4140 01/31/2024
Crouch Congress x Baldridge Isabel G286 An ultra feminine and soft sided PGS prospect
20979403 Marda Ruby 452 01/29/2024
BA7 Oaks Bold Ruler x TC Ruby 0103 A sleak, thick and fancy PGS prospect
20577663 Marda Blackbird 325 12/12/2022
Crouch Congres x Marda Blackbird 03
20979408 Marda Premier Lady 457 02/05/2024
EZAR Gettysburg 1061 x Brumfield Lady Maverick 1125 A powerful and feminine PGS prospect in a neat package
20889232 Marda Asti 412 12/03/2023
EZAR Gettysburg 1061 x Marda Asti 12 Selling pick of two full sisters
Due 1/9/25 with a VAR Crosswind heifer 21021335 JFCC Blackbird Ursa 444 12/5/2023
Ellingson Deep River x Marda Blackbird Ursa 711 A powerful donor prospect with power in the blood
Davis, Sale Manager
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.
BILL SCHERMER, Owner/Herd Consultant
641.425.2641 |
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
Stockman (ISSN 2694-1740), Vol. 6,
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
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.
BARRETT SIMON
316.452.1792
barrett.simon8@gmail.com
Barrett comes with deep roots in both the Angus and Red Angus breeds with a growing base of customers marketing Continental based cattle as well. As an auctioneer, he represents many seedstock producers throughout the central plains. His direct ties to the commercial cattle industry are sure to be a benefit to customers of The Stockman.
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
MARK SULLIVAN
816.304.0050
marksullivancattle@gmail.com
Mark Sullivan is a familiar face to many having worked for Sullivan Supply for many years. Mark brings many years of experience to The Stockman. Mark and his wife, Linda, and two children, Erin and Leo, live in Woodbine, Iowa, and have a small herd of Charolais cattle.
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. STEVE WOLFF 701.710.1574 swolff318@yahoo.com
Rooted
Hardships have been so evident in our country these past thirty days. Disasters such as wildfires, hurricanes, and severe drought have wreaked havoc on so many. It is heartbreaking and difficult to imagine what these people must be going through. How does someone keep going when everything has been taken away? When nothing is left?
So many farmers and ranchers are enduring tough times, but they stick with it because of their passions and beliefs. Our country needs food to eat, and these people dedicate their time and talents to production ag day after day - along with their families - through the thick and thin of it all.
At the Stockman we tip our hats in gratitude to all the parents raising their children on farms and ranches. We applaud parents and grandparents for the sacrifices they and their families make to feed our country and to grow the next generation of Americans who are full of grit, compassion, and determination. We thank you for loving your families and our country enough to endure hardships and press on with humbleness and gratitude. Our world is better with you and your children in it.
This is what we are choosing to reflect on this Thanksgiving season. Wishing you all may find the blessings - sometimes hidden - in each and every situation.
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SYDGEN ROYAL LASS
WHEELER BLACKCAP MARY 2127
WHEELER PRATISSA 2119
BALDRIDGE ETHEL G230
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Bright The Future is
Rooted in the Angus breed, Valley Oaks Angus and also helping other beef producers thrive.
n a little more than three decades, Valley Oaks Angus, Oak Grove, Mo., has built a reputation for functional, productive cattle. Owned by Tony and David Ward and their families, the herd was established in 1992. The Wards had shown Angus cattle growing up, competing at shows across the country, including the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), so purchasing a herd of registered Angus cattle was a natural starting point for the operation. General Manager Jeff Gooden was hired in 2016.
Valley Oaks held its first production sale in 1993. An annual bull sale is held every March, with about 80 bulls sold per year. Many bulls are also sold through private treaty. A female production sale is held every November, selling about 60 lots, including pregnancies, fall calving cows, pairs, spring bred cows and spring yearling heifers.
ALL ACROSS MISSOURI
Today, the operation includes several locations. The main headquarters is in Oak Grove, Mo., and a farm they call “Valley Oaks South” is near Clinton, Mo. The headquarters is home to 300 head of registered Angus cattle and the family’s show facilities. A newly acquired farm near Warsaw, Mo., includes a bull stud and embryo transfer facility and is managed by Gooden’s son, Reed. The Warsaw facility is where Valley Oaks hosts their sales and develops bulls.
“We cooperate with Crosscountry Genetics to implant embryos and calve them out,” Gooden said. “Then the calves are returned to their owners.”
Although Valley Oaks has primarily been focused on Angus cattle, they bought several Her-
and growth numbers, since many of calves out of their bulls end up back in their feedlot. Many of their bull customers also watch weaning weight numbers.
eford bulls from bigname breeders to use as cleanup bulls on their commercial cows. The resulting black baldie calves were good for feeding out or using as recipient cows.
“We still run Hereford bulls behind our cows. Black baldies make for good recip cows,” Gooden said. “Reed selects a lot of the matings himself, but our top priorities are calving ease and growth numbers.”
Gooden explains that many Missouri cattle producers have small herds of only 20 to 30 head, so cows have to be able to deliver calves solo. However, Valley Oaks also selects matings based on carcass
The commercial herd is fed bagged corn silage and hay and receives supplemental grain during bad weather. During the summer, if the weather isn’t too dry, the cattle graze and get a few pounds of grain a couple of times per week. After the corn is cut in the fall, rye is planted as another silage crop that’s harvested in the spring on 150 to 200 acres of crop ground.
All of the ET calves that are cooped for other producers are at the Warsaw farm and are born in the fall. The registered herd has about 70 head of fall calving cows and 150 cows calving in the spring. Any of Valley Oaks’ own ET calves are born at the Oak Grove farm. The Valley Oaks South location, near Clinton, Mo., has about 50 head of commercial bred heifers and the operation is looking to build up that herd.
PASTURE TO PLATE
The operation took its growth a step further, building a 900-head under roof feedlot and slaughterhouse near Latour, Mo. Valley Oaks buys back calves from many of their bull customers to feed out in the feedlot. Valley Oaks bull customers receive a five-cent per pound premium, but calves must weigh at least 600 pounds, have been weaned for at least 30 days, and have received two rounds of shots.
At the feedlot, calves are grown up to 900 pounds and then are brought into the barn for finishing. The feedlot is located only 20 minutes from a Herzog Meat Company plant that sells beef all over Missouri. Valley Oaks provides a load of cattle to that plant every week.
“Our feedlot isn’t overcrowd-
above (l-r): Tony Ward, Davis Ward, Jenn Ward, Connelly Ward, Addison Ward.
ed, so the gains are unbelievable,” Gooden said. “When you take those cattle to market, we want to make sure the consumer is getting the best beef they can. We really wanted the operation to be from pasture to plate. We still sell quarters, halves, and wholes direct to the consumer.”
HITTING THE SHOW CIRCUIT
Over the years, as the Ward siblings aged out of showing, the herd numbers diminished. All that changed when Tony’s children became old enough to show and David’s grandson, Grant, got involved. One of Tony and David’s brothers, Clayton, is also involved with the farm, but his kids don’t show cat-
tle. Today, five of David’s grandkids show four different breeds of cattle all across the U.S., including Angus, Hereford, Shorthorns, and Simmentals. The show string hits local jackpot shows and larger shows, including the NJAS, American Royal, North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE), Cattlemen’s Congress, and more.
“Showing different breeds gives them all a chance to do well,” Gooden said. “We’re pretty competitive at local and state fairs.”
Two years ago, Valley Oaks had the supreme heifer at the Missouri State Fair with a Simmental heifer. This year, they took home reserve Hereford heifer from the Missouri State Fair.
FALL FEMALE SALE: Saturday, November 9, 2024 12:00 pm - Warsaw, Mo.
BRIGHT FUTURE
Grant works on the farm helping with day-to-day activities, so the next generation is already making its mark on the operation. Tony’s daughter, Addison, is majoring in Animal Science at Kansas State University and is planning to be an embryologist.
“The future is a long way off, but we’re going to be in the cattle business for a long time to come,” Gooden said.
above (l-r): Connelly Ward, Davis Ward, Gannon Ward.
MILL BRAE
JOANIE 3063
Selling half embryo interest in this proven herd bull producer! She is the dam of Mill Brae Benchmark 9016, Montana Judgement 1038, & Montana Killebrew 2049. Also selling 2 daughters by Coleman Glacier.
SHADY BROOK EVERELDA 9523
Selling half interest and possession with the option to double. The dam of ZWT Rendition 3039 as well as several high performing sons and daughters. Also selling a bred heifer by SAV Renovation 6822.
PINE COULEE PATSY A13
Dam of last year’s high-selling female. Offering daughters by Hummel South America, SAV Throttle 2961, & SAV Blueprint 2933. Also selling a flush to the bull of your choice!
80 Registered Angus Females
> 30 Featured Spring Heifer Calves
> 25 Fall Yearling Heifers
> 10 Fall Bred Heifers
> 10 Spring Bred Heifers
> 5 Select Fall Calving Cows
60 Registered Angus Bulls
The Deepest set of Herd Sires ever offered from ZWT
> 25 coming 2 year olds
> 35 Spring 18-20 month old bulls
80-100 Commercial Females
> Including an outstanding set of 50 Black Baldy spring bred heifers!
ZWT RENDEZVOUS 3005
ZWT RENDITION 3039
20696520 – Selling 1/2 interest and full possession Without a doubt the MOST POWERFUL herdsire prospect ever offered from ZWT Ranch! He combines muscle shape, power, substance, and bone in an incredibly complete package. We have already AI’d and flushed cows to this High Upside young sire.
ZWT LAW & ORDER 2693
20729175 – Selling 1/2 interest and full possession
Might be the best son of Bar E-L Natural Law 52Y walking! Tremendous length of body, yet deep, thick, and sound. His dam is one of the stoutest SAV Resource 1441 daughters you will find.
20696535 – Selling 1/2 interest and full possession
One of the last sons of Rose 918 we will offer! He is as deep, soft, and complete as you can make one. Should carry on the heritage of his illustrious dam. Don’t miss this one!
ZWT CLOUDBURST 3027
20696541 – Selling 2/3 interest and full possession
This ‘No holes’ Rainfall son has maternal greatness throughout his pedigree. Combines his sire with SAV Prosperity 9131 and SAV Net Worth 4200 on the dam’s side. Should produce some incredible, productive daughters.
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Extension Education
Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension Educator
Aaron Berger, Nebraska Extension Beef Educator University of NE - Lincoln, UNL Beef beef.unl.edu
HUniversity research you can use.
SIMPLE SYNCHRONIZATION OF COWS
One injection, one time through the chute, and bull breed.
ave you wanted to have more calves born earlier in your calving season, but did not want to deal with the increase in labor, cost and facili ties to utilize estrus synchronization and artificial insemination? The pro tocol shown (Figure 1.) can increase the number of cows coming into es trus early in the breeding season, with one time through the chute, one injection, and breeding using only natural service.
This protocol calls for bulls to be turned out with the cows on Day 0. On Day 5, cows are given a shot of prostaglandin (PGF2α) which syn chronizes a majority of the cows to be in heat/estrus from Day 6 through Day 10. The injection of prostaglandin causes any cows with
their ovaries to regress, ceasing progesterone production. This then triggers the cows to come into heat/ estrus.
If the cow conceives during Day 1 to 5, she will not abort when given the prostaglandin injection on Day 5 because the developing corpus luteum at the site of ovulation on the ovary has not yet reached maturity and will not respond to prostaglandin.
Research conducted at the Fort Keogh Research Center near Miles City, Montana utilized this protocol over a three year period, achieving pregnancy rates over 85% in a 32-day breeding season. Research from the University of Nebraska showed 75% of cows calved in the first 21 days of the calving season utilizing this estrus synchronization protocol as compared to only 63% of cows from non-synchronized natural service breeding.
Utilizing natural service with this method of estrus synchronization will require adequate bull power. A bull to cow ratio of 1:15 with yearling bulls or 1:25 with mature bulls should be sufficient. Because early breeding and the synchronized estrus is occurring over a 10 day period, fertile and active bulls with
adequate libido should be able to handle the number of cows that will be coming into heat. Breeding bulls should undergo a breeding soundness exam prior to the breeding season.
Producers considering the use of this synchronization tool should remember that a number of factors affect pregnancy rate including cow body condition score, plane of nutrition, cattle health, and bull fertility.
Estrus synchronization can shorten the calving season. The article “Use of Natural Service Sires with Synchronized Estrus” highlights other advantages of estrus synchronization and natural service.
Note: A relatively new prostaglandin product, which is in a high-concentration formula, allows
for a 2-mL dose to be injected subcutaneously (under the skin). Other prostaglandin products have an intramuscular injection (IM) label requirement, which requires a longer needle for deep muscle penetration. IM injections have a greater risk to develop lesions in the muscle that affects meat quality. The 2018 Nebraska Beef Report article “Comparison of Two Alternate Prostaglandin Products in Yearling Beef Heifers” showed beef heifers performed similarly to either the IM injection of prostaglandin or the subcutaneous injection of high-concentration prostaglandin.
Interviews with the authors of BeefWatch newsletter articles become available throughout the month of publication and are accessible at: www.go.unl.edu/podcast.
Courtesy University of NE - Lincoln, UNL Beef
A PASTURE TO PLATE PROGRAM
A FULL SERVICE ANGUS & BEEF OUTFIT
Fred Linz | Owner
Ben Weis | Ranch Manager
Anthony Randall | Cattle Procurement Manager
Designed for
Diversity
Mid Continent Farms builds strength and sustainability through its multifaceted operation.
rom the outside looking in at Mid Continent Farms, with its champion pedigrees and perfectly fit show calves, one might assume the operation solely focuses on progeny designed for show ring success. But the depth and diversity of Mid Continent Farms (MCF) is vast. The Stewart family operates a show steer and heifer operation alongside several purebred herds and a commercial cattle program in Washington, Kansas.
By Cheryl Kepes
family began farming and ranching in northcentral Kansas in the early 1900s. Currently, Brigham Stewart helps run the daily operations of MCF with his parents Gregg and Debbie. Brigham’s wife, Megan, helps with the ranch when she has free time from her job as a veterinarian. Brigham and Megan are expecting their first child this month.
Megan partners in a veterinary clinic with Brigham’s older brother, Garrett, also a veterinarian. Megan and Garrett perform all MCF’s ET work. Brigham’s younger brother, Tucker, works as a lawyer in Washington D.C., and serves as the head ag adviser for the U.S. Senator from
photos courtesy Stewart family
The Stewart
left Conrad Stewart on the front cover of the Farm Journal in April 1975.
Kansas, Roger Marshall. Tucker pitches in at MCF whenever he is home.
Gregg’s brother, Kent Stewart, is a full partner and cornerstone of MCF. Kent resides in Texas where he operates his own cow herd as well. Kent’s son and daughter-inlaw, Derek and Miranda, live in San Angelo, Texas and are one of the faces of Coats Saddlery Inc. Kent’s daughter, Devon, married Brigham’s high school best friend, Kellen Sherlock.
Gregg’s mother, Deanna, and Keith Balthazor, live on the ranch and act as runners, making sure everyone gets from point A to point B. Whether it be a ride to equipment, pastures or anywhere else on the ranch, they are ready to assist.
VAST VARIETY
The Stewarts operation thrives on diversity. They run close to 1,000 momma cows on 7,000 acres of Kansas native pasture. Their extensive ET program produces national champion club calves and females as well as elite replacements. The donor females hail from a variety of breeds: Angus, Charolais, Chianina, Maine Anjou, Shorthorn, and Simmental.
MCF sells close to 150 show calves each year. The ranch recently hosted its 39th annual steer sale in October offering 57 lots. Show heifers and bred heifers are sold in MCF’s female sale each November the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Bred heifers are also sold via private treaty. The Stewarts sell ap -
proximately 100 bulls private treaty off the ranch in the late spring and early summer.
In addition to producing significant numbers of elite genetics, MCF operates a commercial program. Many of the commercial momma cows have Angus-based genetics. In addition, the Stewarts background 400 feeder calves that they raise each year to round out their diverse cattle operation.
On the other side of the business, the Stewarts farm a couple thousand acres; primarily soybeans and milo. Additionally, they plant cover crops consisting of oats, wheat, and rye.
above The Stewart family after their 39th Annual Steer Sale in October.
MCF relies on its diversity for strength and longevity. “It’s very extensive. It is a typical family-oriented farm, but we stay fairly diversified just to go with the bends in what the years bring you,” Brigham Stewart explained. “Some years it is show cattle that make a difference and some years it is commercial cattle and some years it is crops that keep everything in check.”
STARTED WITH STEERS
Cattle producers entrenched in the show circuit know MCF for its consistency in producing champion club calves. The family started producing and marketing show steers in the 1980s when Gregg and his brother, Kent, were competing on collegiate livestock judging teams. “Dad and my uncle, Kent, had a knack for finding and placing show cattle. They had good show careers themselves,” Brigham said.
Gregg and Kent started building their herd by acting as consultants for large cattle operations. “When they were in college, they took on
several different cow herds and helped the owners AI or bought the semen to AI those cows and told them what kind of bulls to turn out. They would also go through and sort the better steers to sell as show steers and help market their commercial calves,” Brigham explained. In return, Gregg and Kent selected replacements to add to their growing herd.
In the early days, the Stewarts’ cattle operation consisted primar-
ily of Maine Anjou and Chianina. But the operation soon expanded to include other breeds. Now, in addition to Maine Anjou and Chianina, MCF runs 50 purebred Charolais cows, 100 smokey cows stemming from MCF Charolais genetics, several hundred purebred and percentage Simmental cows, 250 registered purebred Angus cows, a large Angus-based commercial herd, and a handful of Shorthorns.
above Supreme Heifer and Champion Angus 2024 Nebraska State Fair FFA Show.
below Debbie, Brigham, and Gregg picturing bulls in the 90’s.
GENETIC SELECTION
Top of the class livestock judging skills run in the Stewart family. Just like their dad and uncle, Brigham and his brothers, Garrett and Tucker, all had highly successful college livestock judging careers.
Brigham is revered in the show cattle industry for his judging prowess. He has judged shows all over North America including the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE), American Royal, several breed junior nationals, and Calgary Stampede steer show. Those experiences prove to be of great value when he makes decisions regarding his own herd. “Consistent genetics is key. Making sure they have the right build and right structure and then everything else just comes together after that,” Brigham shared.
While he leans on his judging acumen and ag education when it comes to genetic decisions for MCF’s cattle, he also utilizes the lessons he’s learned from his family. “For years and years, we have
had a mold that we try to make and for us it is trying to bridge that gap between cows and show heifers,” Brigham stated.
Even though MCF raises club calves and show heifers, the emphasis remains on breeding good maternal cattle. The majority of the matings, whether ET, AI, or natural service, are focused on producing solid females.
The philosophy at MCF is not to swing for the fences with every mating. But instead to consistently breed good, functional cows to good, functional herd sires.
“We don’t try to raise just that one calf that is a high seller or that we can sell for an extremely high amount. We try to breed for the middle and make them really good first, and let our percentages raise the elites,” Brigham explained. “So, that way there are not many throw aways. At worst it is a really good
below Gregg and Debbie on spraying duty.
above Brigham judging at the Badger Kickoff.
replacement heifer or a steer that works as a feeder calf.”
The Stewarts rely heavily on their own bulls for cleanup. For the most part, MCF’s cleanup bulls are Angus or Simmental. The bulls selected for matings in the ET program typically possess a proven track record of excellence. However, some
of the ET matings for the club calf program utilize popular “pick of the week” club calf bulls.
MCF’s ET program includes a rotating donor pen of 30 females from multiple breeds. The ET matings produce the operation’s club calves, show heifers and future elite replacements. The Stewarts use a
majority of their own cattle for recipients and calve out the embryos near their ranch headquarters.
The Stewarts breed 280 replacement heifers a year. Close to half of the bred heifers are marketed through their sale or private treaty. The Stewarts then calve out the remaining 150 first-calf heifers.
above Gregg and Brigham judging the owned show at the 2024 Simmental Junior Nationals.
above FIRES MCF Highway 69 - purebred Maine bull raised by MCF and 3 Fires Cattle. above JSAR Titan - registered Angus bull raised by JSAR (MCF).
TOP CUT FEMALE SALE:
Saturday, November 30, 2024 4:00 pm - Washington, Kan.
HARDWORKING COWS
The cows in MCF’s herd adapt and thrive in their environment. The cattle graze year-round with only one small window of supplementation after calving. “Our cows graze 90 percent of the year. Really the only time they are supplemented with feed is from the day they calve, or when we bring them back from cornstalks to the day they go to summer grass,” Brigham stated.
The cattle graze native grasses in the summer months, then corn stalks and cover crops the other times of the year. The Stewarts expect their cattle to be built to handle their management style. “Our cows are known for being pretty easy-doing, moderate, and built right for the times. That is how we have always handled them,” Brigham said.
MCF calves all its embryos, firstcalf heifers, and cows in the spring. The operation prefers one calving season that lasts from January through May. The recipients carrying embryos are the first to calve. As the cows calve, they are sorted from week to week by age.
The continual sorting as the cows
calve creates pastures of cows with calves similar in age. This saves the Stewarts time in the long run by cutting down the number of animals that need to be sorted at one time.
“We stage the cows quite a bit by age. A lot of the earlier calving cows will get the embryos put in them or AIed. Then our later calvers, the ones that stretch out into May, we will turn out with bulls almost immediately after the calves are born so we can get them bred up as quickly as possible,” Brigham explained.
some” staff who help them manage their large, diverse operation. “The hired hands who help with day-today operations are integral to the success of the business, they know who they are, and without them our operation wouldn’t be as good as it is,” Brigham said.
From show ring wins to sale barn successes, the Stewart family pours all it has into cultivating its operation to be prosperous now and for generations to come. “Most family farms can attest to this; it starts with a dream. It is not what you have now but what you leave for future generations to ensure this way of life continues forever,” Brigham shared.
The Stewart family says one of the reasons for MCF’s accomplishments and longevity is all the friends, family, and their “awe - learn more midcontinentfarms.com
above Full moon while doing a prescribed burn on the ranch in the Flint Hills.
above Mid Continent Farms rigs unloading on summer grass.
DLW 9506G - Homo Blk, Homo Pld 53% Balancer female sired by BTBR Durant 6296D. Top 1% CE, Top 5% BW that sells with a fall born bull calf sired by TJB Acuna 214K.
DLW 4079M - Homo Blk, Homo Pld 47% Balancer show heifer prospect sired by DLW Headline 1018H.
DLW 8116F - Homo Blk, Homo Pld - 50% Balancer female sired by DLW Sam 971B. She sells along with 2 daughters and 1 granddaughter.
DLW 033H - Red, Polled - 53% Balancer female sired by National Champion SKYS Encore 7086E. She sells along with 2 maternal sisters.
DLW 0525H - Homo Blk, Homo Pld - 50% Balancer female sired by DLW E Trade 1032F. Top 5% growth and sells with a fall born heifer calf sired by TJB Acuna 214K.
~36 Sons Selling December 9th~
SydGen Blueprint x S Whitlock 179 x Connealy Courage 25L #19437622
Architect is a powerful, proven sire of calving ease, performance and maternal strength. He is the most potent sire we have raised.
Owned with Genex & Schaff Angus Valley
S Right Time 7861
New Offering: 2024 Born Bull Calves
~5 Sons (2024 Born) Selling December 9th~ S Architect 9501 x S Thrive JAS 5515 x S Anchor 2155 #20404814
~14 Sons Selling December 9th~ Sitz Right Time 8034 x S Chisum 6175 x Leachman Right Time #18762372 S Right Time 7861 was purchased back from Stuart Simon in SD. He is proven in a very competitive commercial environment and we are aggressively adding his daughters to our herd as his maternal strength is unmatched.
Owned with Stuart Simon, SD
Garrison, the top selling bull from the 2023 Sale. First sons selling December 9th, as spring 2024 born bull calves. Owned with GDAR, MT
Sitz Incentive 704H
~19 Sons Selling December 9th~ Sitz Stellar 726D x Sitz Invasion 574D x Koupals B&B Titan 3013 #19677938
Sitz Incentive was added as a AI Sire due to his dam's superior udder quality, phenotype and maternal power.
GDAR Justified 914
~5 Sons (2024 Born) Selling December 9th~ KG Justified 3023 x Sitz Reinvested 636a x GDAR Justice 622 #19464109
Justified 914 was added to our herd through a purchased semen interest. His offspring are born easily, are excellent footed and his first daughters are really exciting. We used Justified extensively on heifers.
Owned with GDAR, MT & Rock Creek Angus, AR
Thomas Confirm 9457
~18 Sons Selling December 9th~ Baldridge Command C036 x Connealy Black Granite x G A R Predestined #19715683
Confirm is a tremendous breeding bull siring thick made bulls and fancy heifers with extra performance and power. Ultrasound indicates he is adding IMF to our herd. Owned with Thomas Angus Ranch, OR
~16 Sons Selling December 9th~
GDAR All Pro 8121 x KG 5594 Traveler 3020 x GDAR New Day 5346 #20078845
Ace was our selection from the 2022 GDAR sale. He was chosen for the maternal strength of his donor dam & outcross pedigree. Owned with GDAR, MT
S Architect 9501
BW+1.8
BW+2.3
S Garrison K38
Seeds in Season
OFunctional forage and pasture.
contributed article by Justin Fruechte, Product Expert - Ag Renovo Seed, Brookings, S.D. renovoseed.com
BOOST NEXT YEAR’S FORAGE WITH OPTIHARV
ne of the most rewarding harvests for livestock producers is silage harvest. It is a fulfilling feeling knowing you’ve got a year’s worth of feed put up in the bunker, and a great sense of security comes with that. It does, however, seem that whenever a field is open, many jobs follow. Manure harvest, maybe a little fencing, and even replanting.
PLANTING WINTER FORAGES
Fall plantings of winter forages are becoming ever popular on silage acres. These barren, compacted soils do need a little TLC, and a winter cereal can boost its appearance. Along with holding the soil from wind erosion, more importantly, it’ll grow feed!
The top choice here for silage or baleage next spring has been cereal rye. This choice is the most winter hardy and the fastest to harvest. It would also be the best choice if your goal was to provide supplemental grazing.
The recommendation for making hay would be forage winter wheat. This plant is awnless and leafier and will provide a much longer harvest window to ensure quality hay is baled. Winter triticale is a versatile, drought tolerant plant that yields excellent silage or hay. It too should be considered for a fall planted forage, especially in geographies that don’t appreciate rye being utilized.
OPTIHARV
Fast forward to next May/June when the winter annual forage is harvested, and just like after corn silage harvest, you’ll get another opportunity to plant more feed. Here too your options are vast, but I want to focus on a new product called OptiHarv that fits in nicely.
OptiHarv is all about hedging conditions to ensure success. It is a blend of nine species of both warm
and cool season grasses, legumes, and brassicas. Pearl millet, forage barley, German millet, forage pea, mung bean, cow pea, winfred brassica, hunter brassica, and balansa clover make up the blend. The intention is to create a high-quality feed product that boosts protein, digestibility and palatability, and does so in multiple harvests.
The first field of OptiHarv was planted this year. It was planted June 1 after cereal rye was harvested and then sprayed. The OptiHarv was put up as baleage August 10 and then grazed October 1. The baleage was tested with a crude protein level of 14.6 and a Relative Feed Value of 110. The regrowth that was grazed in October is a nice nutritional boost to lactating cows with heavy calves.
The plant diversity of the mix also allows the blend to be used as a cover crop or annual forage mix if you are enrolled in an NRCS or carbon pro -
gram. The other benefit from the species diversity is the field can be rotated back to corn to be utilized for silage. Prioritizing acres close to home can be a logistical challenge
for silage, but this rotation helps solve this.
Creating more options within your farm and forage plans is always the goal. I think these annual forages that have flexibility of use and provide your fields diversity of species are a great hedge for longterm resiliency.
Photos courtesy Renovo Seed learn more renovoseed.com
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.
Trauernicht Family
3rd Overall Female 2024 Kansas State Fair Champion Charolais 2024 Iowa & Kansas State Fair Open Shows Congrats Makayla Houck and Stalcup Charolais
Champion Shorthorn Plus 2024 CO State Fair and many times Supreme or Res Supreme Congrats Oddens and Hilton Smith
5th overall Female 2024 Ak Sar Ben (Champ Angus) Congratulations Trauernicht Family
Reserve Supreme Overall and Champion Simmental
2024 Kansas State Fair Congrats Whitley Frost and Wiedel Family
Extension Education
Bethany Johnston, Nebraska Extension Educator
University of NE - Lincoln, UNL Beef beef.unl.edu
University research you can use.
SAYING GOODBYE TO METAL BANGS TAGS AND HELLO
TO EID TAGS
If your heifers are bangs tagged, those orange metal clips will soon be a relic of the past. Starting November 5, 2024, your veterinarian will not be tagging with metal clips, but instead will use electronic identification (EID) tags.
Veterinarians used metal clips to identify heifers receiving the brucellosis vaccine (“bangs”), and to identify animals moving between states.
In the spring of 2024, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced mandatory EID tags for certain bovine classes. This builds upon the 2013 ruling that only requested visual ID tags. The electronic version will be used to track and contain animal disease outbreaks, just as the metal identification clips did.
WHAT IS A USDA 840 EID TAG?
The EID tags replacing the metal clips are USDA 840, showing the country code for the United States (840), with the official USDA shield. The remaining 12 numbers are unique to the tag/animal. The 840 tags provide animal identification to trace animal movements in
the event of an animal disease. The 15 numbers can be visually read off of the EID button, or can be read with a computerized EID reader or wand.
There are other types of EID tags, but only 840 EID tags will fulfill the APHIS ruling to replace the metal clips.
WHAT DOES THE EID MANDATE MEAN FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS?
► Animals with the old metal tags already in their ears are “grandfathered in” and will not need new 840 EID tags.
► “840 EID” tags can come as “buttons” with no hanging tag, as long as the 15- digit number is viewable on the top of the button.
• The buttons can come with matching visual hanging tags.
• Some “840 EID” tags should
be placed in the middle rib of the ear, unlike the metal clips that were placed in the top portion of the ear. This could be an issue if you have a visual tag in each ear, plus a fly tag in each ear. Adding an EID tag would make 5 tags per animal, and you may run out of room in their middle ribs. Reach out to the tag manufacturer for tag placement recommendations.
► Producers will need to establish a premise ID number or use the premise ID number of their veterinarian.
► You or your veterinarian may put in 840 EID tags. Your vet will put 840 EID tags only into animals that used to require a metal clip for identification. For example, if a producer tags all their calves at weaning with 840 EID tags, your vet will record those EID numbers when they give the bangs vaccine to your heifers. The vet would not have to put a new EID tag in.
Check with the sale barn on what records are required. For example, if you are selling breeding heifers, records showing the EID numbers matching the “bangs” vaccination might be helpful.
WHAT WILL CHANGE FOR YOUR VETERINARIAN?
After November 5, 2024, your vet will be tagging with 840 EID tags instead of the metal tags. The United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) is providing a certain number of tags for each state, during the transition. Nebraska veterinarians can receive tags for replacement animals.
If a disease is traced back to that veterinarian’s premise ID number, then the vet will work with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture to track the path that animal. Ideally, the EID tags will speed up the process and reduce losses during a disease outbreak.
More information can be found at the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) website.
Interviews with the authors of BeefWatch newsletter articles become available throughout the month of publication and are accessible at: www.go.unl.edu/podcast.
Courtesy University of NE - Lincoln, UNL Beef
Sandeen Genetics
Sandeen Donna 1316
#3963159 - Offering Choice on the first sons from the $130,000 Sandeen Donna 1316 by GCC Genoa, along with select Genetic lots. Owned with Ferguson Cattle.
Sandeen Donna 1031
#4197961 - Selling full & maternal siblings to the $210,000 crowd favorite bred heifer from the 2024 sale. Owned with Jones Show Cattle.
Sandeen Donna 1717
#3963163 - Offering full & maternal siblings to the $81,000 Sandeen Donna 1717. Owned by Mike Henderson Family.
Sandeen Donna 8302
#3564034 - Selling Progeny & Genetic lots by the $564,000 valued Sandeen Donna 8302. Owned with Ferguson Cattle.
Sandeen Lady A 9905
#3796760 - Selling a stout set of bred daughters by Counter Time from the $53,000 past sale feature 9905. Owned with Triple G Livestock.
Sandeen Lady 0344
#3961009 - Offering the first bred progeny from this $92,000 past sale feature by Dimensional & Remedy. Owned with Draper Family Cattle. Sandeen Genetics
Scott & Jill Sandeen Family - Blakesburg, IA
Scott 641-777-9153 www.sandeengenetics.com Dwyer Cattle Nick 309-337-6404 Bob 309-337-1404 www.dwyercattle.com
Veterinarian View
WHealth & Reproduction questions answered and explained.
contributed article by Dr. Vince Collison Collison Embryo and Veterinary Services, Rockwell City, Iowa collisonembryoservices.com
RECIPIENTS: WHY QUALITY MATTERS
hat makes a good recipient (recip) cow? This is a question we get asked frequently. This is the time of year when people are starting to make plans for next spring and try to acquire enough recipients to meet their needs.
When I first got into the embryo transfer (ET) business, I thought ET would be a great way to utilize lower quality cows to propagate superior genetics. But over the years, I’ve seen a wide variety of cows used for recipients and can tell you from first-hand experience that quality matters. In my opinion, when it comes to achieving the best pregnancy rates possible, recipients can make all of the difference.
SELECTION
When selecting cows for recipients, it probably makes the most sense to use cows that are more maternal based. We are involved predominantly with beef cattle and feel that a commercial Angus-based cow or some cross of an Angus works the best for recipients.
There are other breeds and crosses that will also work as recipients, but when you’re looking for cows and don’t get a lot of history on them the Angus and
Angus crosses have a higher probability of having inherent fertility.
There is a phenomenon on the ovaries called the antral follicle count. It is basically a total count of small follicles that are present on the cow’s ovaries at any point in time. Higher fertility is associated with higher antral follicle counts.
In the past, we have tried to screen for antral follicle counts in recipients that we have purchased in an attempt to select the most fertile cows. The counts were made from an ultrasound image of the ovary using a unit that gave a more high-resolution image of the ovary than our typical field ultrasound unit.
What we found was that the commercial Angus and Angus cross cows almost always had a high antral follicle count. It was in the range of 92 to 95 percent having the higher counts. Not that other breeds didn’t have animals with these higher counts, but we found the higher percentages in the Angus and Angus cross females. These are commercial Angus that are typically the majority of a commercial cow herd and have been selected for their ability to
have a calf every year on time, so it wasn’t surprising to see these results, as they are naturally selected for fertility. They also seem to consistently have good maternal and mothering instincts as well.
BODY CONDITION
The other thing is to have cows that are in good flesh but not too fat. While thin cows that are in a negative energy balance will not be as fertile, excessively fat cows can be less fertile as well. The fat can interfere with normal hormone balances, but also will deposit in the pelvic cavity and the broad ligaments of the uterus, making it more difficult to transfer an embryo.
I would rather see a thin cow gaining weight than a fat cow that is on a diet trying to be thinned down. If a cow has been nursing a calf every year, excess condition is usually not a problem. If a cow has been left open for more than a year, their ability to become pregnant drops off dramatically. This is usually due to the effects of becoming excessively over conditioned.
AGE MATTERS
Age is another factor I consider important. There are cows that get to be pretty old and still work as recipients, but I consider a cow in the 3- to 4-year-old range as being in the ideal age for a recipient with the best chance of success. Many of these will go on to work fine after the age of 6, but you will find that by 10 years there may be cows that end up with issues such as bad udders and poorer fertility that will take them out as a recipient candidate.
It’s best to continue to add younger cows to the recipient pool each year so you’re not forced to use excessively old cows. We also get asked about using virgin heifers for recipients. We do have clients who use heifers, but there’s always the issues of are they going to milk enough, be a good enough mother or even be able to give birth to the embryo calf without troubles.
It’s probably best to let them have their first calf and prove themselves before entering the recipient pool. If a producer is limited on ideal recipients and has to draw from some other less than ideal cows, it is best to prioritize embryos so that the best embryos are used in the most ideal recipients.
VACCINATION TIMING
When it comes to the health, be sure to get vaccinations done 30 days prior to setting up recipients for transfers. Testing for diseases is a personal preference. Most clients do not do any screen testing for anything if they are using cows from their own herd. Common things to test for are Johne’s, BLV, Neospora, PI-BVD, and Anaplasmosis.
Very few clients will test for anything when purchasing a group of cows unless they have a specific issue they want to screen for. Many
places that sell recipients test for a variety of things, but it is very variable what they will test for. When purchasing cows, it can be very hard to get an accurate history on the source. So, if there are certain disease issues you are concerned about it is best to test the cow for that disease. There are certain limitations on testing for diseases such as Johne’s, but a positive test on a recently purchased cow can prevent you from introducing the cow into the herd and reduce your risk.
NUTRITIONAL NEEDS
For nutrition make sure the cows are getting what they need in terms of energy and protein requirements to fully express their reproductive potential. Also, trace mineral needs must to be met for copper, zinc, selenium, etc. These are key for proper metabolic function and play a major role in the reproductive process. We recommend using a chelated trace mineral from 60 days pre-calving through the breeding season.
In conclusion, for maximum success try to use the highest quality cows for recipients that you can. They have the most potential for the highest pregnancy rate and they are hopefully going to be raising some of the best calves in the herd.
learn more collisonembryoservices.com
Dr. Vince Collison is co-owner of Collison Embryo and Veterinary Services PAC in Rockwell City, Iowa.
Looking Forward to November 23!
SYDGEN BARBABARA 3319
SYDGEN VOLUNTEER GA 3760
SYDGEN FOREVER LADY 8727
SYDGEN FANNY 4045
For more on our sale offering or semen & certificates on herd sires, 573-581-1225.
11.22% IMF scan, and the highest $C bred heifer at SydGen. Due in late January.
SALE DAY
PHONES
573-581-1225
573-253-8588
Superb performance, scan data, genomics and indexes. Truly a bull that does it all.
Consistent producing Cool daughter from the family that produced Trust. Exceptional performance and indexes, from our first big crop of Alpha calves.
46TH ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE
NOVEMBER 23, 2024
10 AM • AT THE FARM • MEXICO, MO
SELLING 499 HEAD
71 Bull Calves • 111 Fall Yearling Bulls
25 Spring-Calving Cows • 55 Fall-Calving Pairs
83 Fall Yearling Heifers • 47 Bred Heifers
52 Heifer Calves • 3 Embryo Lots
• Our largest offering of progeny by De-Su Volunteer B122 and URF Alpha G138, two young sires that excel for foot structure, growth and carcass merit.
• Our first sampling of calves by Worthington Loyalty, Huwa Notice and SydGen Validate 2275!
• Although still a “virtual dispersion” of our 7-year-old cows, we will sell a lot of 3- to 6-year-olds.
• 100% of the cattle three years of age and younger are genomic tested and parentage verified. Most of the older cows are as well.
• Of the 434 head selling (not counting commercials and fall baby calves), the average $Combination Value is $296, with 199 ranking above $300.
• The 111 fall yearling bulls offered average 1,325 adj. YW, 37.7 cm SC, 5.7 frame, 3.80% IMF, 15.7 adj. RE and rib fat cover of .35.
• The 179 total bulls offered average EPDs are 8 CED, 136 YW, 14.5 HP, .43 Claw, 1.07 MARB, +71 $M, +185 $B and +311 $C.
• Progeny ratios are printed in the sale book, and numerous update sheets will be available sale day with current weights and frame scores for all spring calves and fall yearlings, including any ultrasound data available.
THE GENETICS BEHIND THE PROGRAM
Sorting the high-accuracy sires of the breed (.85 for YW and .65 for CW), turns up seven Sydenstricker Sires in the top 100 for $Combination. These widely-used landmark sires with multi-herd proofs add consistency and predictability to any breeding program. Descendants of SydGen Exceed 3223, SydGen FATE 2800, SydGen Black Pearl 2006, SydGen Enhance, Connealy Cool 39L, EXAR Stud 4658B, SydGen 1407 Corona 2016, SAF Connection and SydGen CC&7 will play a major role as the genetic base for much of this sale offering. The herd is enrolled in MaternalPlus®.
We will also offer progeny of Connealy Clarity, RSA True Balance, SydGen Smokey, GAR Verified, SydGen Validate, Basin Jameson, Connealy Commerce and many others.
Past graduates of this annual event include five sires that went on to top $1M in semen and certificate sales. Their selling prices ranged from $2,800 to $68,000. These sires are SAF Fame, SAF Focus of ER, SAF 598 Bando 5175 and SydGen Enhance.
26TH ANNUAL SYDGEN INFLUENCE HEIFER SALE
On December 5 about 7 pm, we will host our annual commercial heifer sale at Callaway Livestock Center at Kingdom City, MO. Mershon Cattle LLC will sell about 40 spring bred heifers and 30 two-year-old pairs.
1997 CAB® Seedstock “Commitment to Excellence” Award
2001 BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year Award. Founding partner in ORIgen, Inc.
In the kitchen with Kayla Chase
Nelson Family Farms - Mabel, Minn.
My husband, Gabe, and I were married in 2017, and we are now a family of five. Our daughters Claire and Lauren are 6 and 3 years old and our son Walker just turned 1 year old. We live north of Mabel, Minn., and farm alongside my family. At Nelson Family Farms, we run around 250 Simmental and Angus cows. My family also owns and operates the Lanesboro Sales Commission in Lanesboro, Minn. and Decorah Sales Commission in Decorah, Iowa, where you can find me on a regular basis working sales and keeping bookwork up to date. Our children enjoy helping out at the farm and getting show heifers ready to exhibit. The joy in their eyes and the passion they show for our livestock makes all ”
What is your least favorite job in the kitchen?
Like many, my least favorite job in the kitchen is cleaning up and putting the dishes away. And of course, when I get to baking, I can’t make just one batch of something I usually have to double it and use every pan in the kitchen.”
Where did you learn to cook?
STOCK Kitchen
My mother, Barb. She’s an amazing cook. When we go to family gatherings everyone watches what dish she brings because they all want to get to it first. From day one, she has been a great teacher in the kitchen and always let me help her out. The funny thing is that when you ask her for a recipe she will often say, “That’s a good question. I just threw in a little of this and a little of that!” She rarely measures any ingredients, and although I’m still using my measuring cups, I hope to be able to eyeball it like she does one day. My two favorite recipes she has taught me and that I enjoy making with my daughters are her refrigerator pickles and homemade salsa, each made from produce grown
What
is your favorite cooking tip/trick?
My best cooking tip would be don’t forget to take your meat out of the freezer the night before. As a busy mom I do forget that on a regular basis. My favorite trick would be to use scissors to cut up the kids’ food.”
Cowboy approved recipes used by our favorite country cooks.
What is your most requested dish?
My family requests chocolate chip banana bread on a regular basis. My favorite go to meal would be mac and corn. Very simple dish, just throw it all in a Crockpot for a couple hours and you’re ready to roll!”
Step 3: Pour into greased bread pan and bake for 60 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
REGRIGERATOR PICKLES
Kayla Chase
4 c. sugar
4 c. vinegar
½ c. pickling salt
½ tsp. turmeric
½ tsp. celery seed
1 tsp. dry mustard
3 onions, sliced cucumbers, sliced
CROCKPOT MAC & CORN
Kayla Chase
2 cans whole kernel corn (leave liquid)
2 cans cream style corn
2 c. small uncooked elbow noodles
1 c. cubed butter
2 c. cubed Velveeta cheese
Step 1: Add all ingredients together in a Crockpot, set on high for 2 hours. Step 2: Don’t forget your Crockpot liner for easy clean up.
Step 1: Use a big glass gallon jar. Slice onions and cucumbers and put in jar. Step 2: Mix the rest of the ingredients together, bring brine to a boil. Step 3: Pour over cucumbers and onions. Step 4: Refrigerate for at least three weeks. Store in refrigerator. Will keep for several months.
Step 1: Mix hamburger, onion, egg, and oatmeal together. Step 2: Pat- ty burger up and fry in pan. Use a 9-inch-by-13-inch pan, place patties on the bottom. Step 3: Cut up potatoes and carrots then place on top of patties. Step 4: Mix 2 cans of mushroom soup along with ½ cup of milk and pour on top. Cover with tinfoil. Step 5: Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 to 45 minutes.
Tecumseh x R/F Up The
M816 • Purebred Simmental Next Level x 20-20 x Ally
M820 • Purebred Simmental Next Level x R/F Up The Limit
M908 • Purebred Simmental STCC Tecumseh x R/F Up The Limit
K368 • Purebred Simmental Remedy x Relentless x Looker
Sale Barn Study
contributed article by Kirk Lynch
As 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!
Lynch Livestock Inc. and Humeston Livestock Exchange, Humeston, Iowa humestonlivestockexchange.com
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
s I write this month’s article, it is a pretty good time to be a fan of my beloved Iowa State Cyclones. The football team is ranked No. 9 in the country and 6-0 for the first time since The Great Depression, the men’s and women’s basketball team came in No. 5 and No. 8 respective ly in the preseason polls, the wres tling team is expected to rank very high as well, and our cross country team is ranked No. 4 in the country. The market to be a Cyclone fan is at an all-time high, much like what we have been seeing in 2024 for the cattle markets.
The fat cattle market continues to bounce around the $1.80 to $1.90 level with some extreme tops in the mid 90’s. Looking at the futures and cattle numbers, I think we bounce around this level throughout 2025. Cattle weights continue to go up and we are producing just as many pounds of beef as in previous years with fewer cattle. I look for this to continue to be the trend with cheap corn and feedstuffs. As we get closer to the holiday season look for an uptick in the market as demand increases. I would not be surprised if we get in the low $1.90’s in the country cash trade and even see some $2 cattle run through some barns before the end of the year.
RIDING HIGH
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
winter. When some spring breds begin to sell, I think we will see a strong market with heifers bringing $3,000 plus and bred cows bringing mid-$2,000 range.
Until next month and if you are a Cyclone, I hope I am still riding high by the time you read this. Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
With the bullish outlook, the feeder cattle continue to be strong
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NORTH DAKOTA STOCKMEN’S ASSOCIATION AND FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE WILDFIRE AID, LAUNCH DISASTER RELIEF FUND
The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association (NDSA) and North Dakota Stockmen’s Foundation (NDSF) have teamed up to support cattle ranchers who suffered significant losses in wildfires in the northwest and other places across the state in October. Drought conditions and nearly 80-mile-an-hour winds created a lethal combination and exacerbated a multitude of fires that ignited across North Dakota.
As of Oct. 8, more than 88,000 acres had already burned, and several fires were still raging. Livestock industry losses include pasture, hay, stored feed, fences, buildings, farmsteads and livestock. Sadly, the fires also claimed at least two human lives. More livestock losses are expected to accrue over time as pneumonia and other disease set in from smoke inhalation and burns.
“It’s hard to imagine what these producers are going through right now,” said NDSA President Randy Schmitt, a Rugby, N.D., cow-calf producer. “The fires have impacted their homes, their livestock, their communities, their whole world – everything they hold dear. Plus, until there’s substantial moisture to dissipate the chance for flare-ups, they live with the fear of fire starting up again.”
To help North Dakota cattlemen and women offset losses from these destructive fires and the challenges that are sure to linger long after the last flame is put out, the non-profit organizations are launching the Out of the Ashes Wildfire Disaster Relief Program. The NDSA and
NDSF have kickstarted the relief fund with a $50,000 initial contribution and are inviting others to join them by contributing to the effort.
“Together, we can help rekindle hope in producers who have suffered serious losses,” said NDSF President Jason Leiseth, an Arnegard, N.D., cow-calf producer whose own ranch was in the line of fire but narrowly missed last Saturday. “Our family was lucky, but there are many that weren’t. We want to do all we can to help them through this catastrophe.”
Monetary contributions to the Out of the Ashes Wildfire Disaster Relief Program can be made two ways: 1) Checks can be made to the NDSF with “Out of the Ashes” written in the memo and sent to 4520 Ottawa St., Bismarck, ND 58503; or 2) Credit card gifts can be made online at Giving Hearts Day. The gifts will be pooled and distributed in their entirety to North Dakota cattle ranchers this winter through an application and nomination process. A committee comprised of fellow ranchers will review the applications and distribute the funds to those most in need.
Application and nomination forms for the disaster relief program will be available at the end of October at www.ndstockmen.org.
The NDSF is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, so gifts can be deducted as charitable contributions for income tax purposes. For more information about the Out of the Ashes Wildfire Disaster Relief Program or other ways to help, call (701) 223-2522 or visit www.ndstockmen.org.
The North Dakota Department of Agriculture has reactivated the Hay Hotline, which is one of those ways.
The Hay Hotline is a clearinghouse to connect those in need with those with gifts of hay, fencing supplies and other tangible items to offer. For more information about the Hay Hotline, call (701) 328-5110.
The NDSA is a 95-year-old beef cattle producers’ trade organization that works to unite, protect, promote, educate and serve the state’s beef industry. The NDSF is a charitable organization that supports the beef industry with scholarship, leadership, promotion, research and building projects and disaster relief. Together, the organizations have distributed more than three-quarters of a million dollars in direct aid to cattle producers recovering from catastrophic floods, blizzards and wildfires since 2009.
3J Farms
Behlen Country
Blue Lake Plastics
C&C Farms
Campbell & Ward
Cattle Visions
Cheyenne Livestock Expo
Circle G Ranches
Circle S Ranch
CJ Brown Studios
Clear Springs Cattle Co.
Collison Embryo
Connor AgriScience
Conover, Al
Conover, Jeanne
Crawford, Scott
Cross Diamond Cattle Co.
CSL Auctions Inc.
Dvorak Brothers Ranches
Elliott Livestock
Friedrich, Parker
Gilchrist, Kyle
Gold Buckle Cattle Services
Graham Angus
Green Mountain Angus Ranch
Gutwein Angus
Hawkeye Breeders
Humeston Livestock Exch.
Indreland Ranch
Integrity Stock Shots
J.J. Scheckel Angus
Jallo Angus
Jensen Angus Farm
Layton, Dustin
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Linz Heritage Angus
Lowderman, Monte
Lowderman Auction Options
Marda Angus Farm
Matthews Coach’s Corral
Mid Continent Farms
Money Maker bull
Muir Embroidery
Musgrave Angus
National Angus Sale
National Western Stock Show
Nelson Family Farms
Old 24 Cattle
Renovo Seed
Ruda Cattle
Safety Zone Calf Catchers
Sandeen Genetics
Schooley Cattle Co.
ShowMe Genetics
Slate Group
Sonstegard Cattle Co.
Spickler Ranch North
Sydenstricker Genetics
The Judge Source
TK Angus
Udder Tech
Valley Oaks Angus
Volk Livestock
Voss Angus
Wall Street Cattle Co.
Warner Beef Genetics
Weishaar, Seth
Westway Feed Products
Wheeler Angus
Wilks Ranch
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.
I am a fourth generation Angus breeder. I farm with my parents, Terry and Ardel; my grandma, Marjorie; my wife, Tracy; and our kids, Levi and Paisley. My brother, Brady, and sister, Bailey, are also involved in the farm along with their spouses and kids. We run 300 Angus cows along with 35 Shorthorn cows. The Angus cow herd began in 1946 with my great-grandfather Arthur Quam and the Shorthorn herd began in 1908 with my great-grandfather Stanley Miller. We have two sales each year at our farm, and we also consign to a few bull tests.”
What about the beef cattle industry excites you the most?
Making the next generation of cattle better than the last. Providing high-quality seedstock to producers and high-quality beef protein products to the world.”
Which animal (any species) has left the greatest impact on you?
This is a hard one. Too many run through my mind but the top three would be MF Blackbird 51, MF Asti 016, and TC Blackbird Ursa 6087. They are the foundation of this herd today.”
Describe your best and worst day.
For me the best and worst day is sale bull clipping day. It is a dirty, long job but it is a very rewarding job when you are finished.”
Your favorite non-farm activity to do in your free time?
Traveling with my wife even though most of our travels tend to be farm related.”
Your go-to sorting apparatus?
I tend to go without as I usually have a sorting list or paperwork in my hand, but I prefer a stick.”
Cody Quam
Marda Angus Farms of Lodi, Wis.
The most important lesson you’ve learned in this business?
Persistence pays off and stay the course. The industry is vast, so raise what you like, and if you stick with that, you will find your market.”
What is the most used tool on your farm? How old is it?
If you ask my wife she would say my phone. Communicating with our customers and staying connected with the industry is key to the business, even if it is at all hours of the day.”
What is your least favorite job on the farm?
Paperwork and there seems to always be a never-ending pile on my desk.”
Feeding
Rugged, all-metal feed bunks built to withstand the toughest conditions. At Behlen Country, we deliver the quality and reliability that your herd—and your operation— deserve. Because your legacy depends on the details.
