The Cattleman - October 2023

Quality

Carcass ultrasounds spur genetic improvements.

From Why to How

Recent industry conversations around cattle disease traceability.

FEATURES

Producing Prime How carcass ultrasounds enhance the face of the beef industry.

By Kayla Jennings

From Why to How What’s next for cattle disease traceability.

By Jena McRell

WELCOME FALL

Nothing says fall quite like stacks of sale catalogs crowding the kitchen table. It marks not only a change in season, but also a change in mindset as you look ahead for the next chapter of your breeding program.

Soon, you will join fellow cattle raisers putting in miles traveling to these sales. Early mornings, crisp afternoons and a lot of memories are in store.

This issue of The Cattleman should be right there along with you.

October’s magazine features our Bull Buyer’s Guide, a special advertising section dedicated to showcasing sales throughout the Southwest. Flip through the pages and save a few dates for your calendar.

We’re also sharing bull selection tips from Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association’s own executive director of education and engagement. Need a refresher on the fundamentals of matching the right sire to your operation? We’ve got you covered.

Those curious about improving beef quality won’t want to miss our feature story on ultrasound carcass data. Producing Prime, on page 10, highlights how the technology is driving progress across the industry.

Also catch the story, From Why to How, on page 18 for the latest on animal disease traceability. From electronic ID to pilot tests, we explore the complexities of tracking cattle movement in the case of a disease outbreak.

As always, thank you for picking up The Cattleman We hope you enjoy this special issue and the upcoming fall sale season! T C

Jaclyn Roberts Parrish Executive Director of Communications & Marketing/ Editor-in-Chief, The Cattleman

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ON THE COVER

Fall pastures and herd sires in the spotlight. A Red Angus bull stands steady on a ranch near Miles.

Photo by Emily McCartney

Photo by Emily McCartney

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Producing Prime

How carcass ultrasounds enhance the face of the beef industry.

By Kayla Jennings

The sizzle of a Prime ribeye hitting the grill is unmistakable. During a big celebration or an intimate evening among friends, beef’s aroma elevates the experience to something truly special. It is not happenstance this rings true for families across the country. The beef industry has poured into research and marketing to ensure when someone wants a celebratory protein, they turn to beef.

“The beef industry has shifted from a commodity-driven business to a quality-driven business,” says Casey Worrell, a carcass ultrasound expert with 20 years experience. “If you’re in the cattle business, you’re in the beef business.”

The past three decades have brought incredible progress when it comes to beef quality and consistency. Last year, CattleFax reported nearly 80% of the U.S. beef supply graded Choice and Prime.

The quality uptick is made possible due to increasing technologies, including carcass ultrasound, that aid in genetic selection for seedstock and commercial producers.

As Norman Stovall, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association member from Graham, says, “You don’t know anything about what’s underneath the hide of a commercial Angus heifer, which is half of the breed-up equation, so this was my way to determine that.”

What doesn’t meet the eye

Determining what is under the hide and translating that into information has been a lifelong passion for Worrell, who grew up on his family’s ranch near Fredericksburg. He owned and operated the Rancher’s Resource for two decades, offering consulting and carcass ultrasound services.

In that capacity, he collected carcass ultrasound data on approximately 18,000 head annually in 13 different states and worked internationally in Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, Brazil and Argentina. He’s also had employments in ranch management and with the American Angus Association.

This wealth of experience taught him how carcass evaluation, coupled with other data measures, greatly impacts a cattle raiser’s bottom-line — now more than ever.

“Without a doubt, the profitability of ranching is getting tougher when you look at input costs,” says Worrell, who now works as director of genetic sales and producer relations for 44 Farms. “There’s more pressure today, and [will be] in the future, for a premium animal to produce the most amount of money to stay in business.”

He references a 2023 USDA Beef Carcass Price Equivalent Index report. Cattle received a $38 per hundredweight premium for Prime, with little difference in price per hundredweight on Yield Grades 1 to 3.

To him, this reflects the value consumers and the industry have put on marbling.

The beef industry has shifted from a commodity-driven business to a quality-driven business.”

—

Casey Worrell, 44 Farms

Casey Worrell performs a carcass ultrasound. He has traveled the world collecting ultrasounds on nearly 18,000 head of cattle each year. Photo by Erin Worrell.

Casey Worrell

Norman Stovall

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In his travels over the years, Worrell has seen producers like Stovall use the information he gathers to propel their herd on a more profitable trajectory.

Stovall owns and operates AgriVentures, raising a herd of predominantly Angus-based commercial cattle. He assumed management in 2005.

Since then, Stovall and his team have improved the herd by virtue of introducing registered Angus bulls, backed by carcass ultrasound data.

“I’m not interested in raising hamburger, I want to raise Prime steaks,” he says.

That philosophy has been with Stovall since his time at the Texas Christian University Ranch Management Program in the early 90s. He says the director at the time, John Merrill, taught his students quality-based marketing would become the future of the beef business.

“Mr. Merrill’s comment was the basis of my philosophy to consistently raise high-quality beef,” he recalls. Fast forward to 2023, and it’s clear those predictions were true.

“Everybody is talking about what percent Prime they’re doing, because there’s so much more value in premiums paid for Prime,” says Worrell, who admits hardly talking about Select-grading cattle anymore, due to the associated discounts.

Over the years, this growing trend attracted more ranchers to Worrell every year. While most producers tend to scan only bulls, he advises not to forget the heifer contemporaries.

“We can lose sight that the cow has half the genetics of those calves,” he says. “You can make improvements with bulls, but you can’t do it as fast unless you put emphasis on your females, as well.”

In that spirit, Stovall began analyzing ultrasound data on commercial females in addition to reports on the Angus bulls he purchased to make complimentary mating decisions.

“I went from an inconsistent, low-quality cow herd to, what I would consider, a sustainable, highquality, consistent cow herd,” Stovall says.

Relative to seedstock cattle, Worrell reminds collecting phenotypic measures, such as carcass ultrasound, weaning weight, birthweight and others, is still important even with the introduction of genomic testing.

“We can’t have accurate genomic predictions without the actual phenotypes in the genetic evaluations,” he says, adding that for seedstock producers, actual measurements increase the accuracy of the EPD profile many customers review before purchasing.

From the ranch to the rail, there are more resources available than ever before to capture premiums and gain customer satisfaction. Top photo by Emily McCartney; middle and bottom photos by Kayla Jennings.

From the ranch

When deciding to take the leap and collect carcass ultrasound data, Worrell says the process is simple.

With registered cattle, he notes the age range and proper contemporary groups as two big factors.

Each breed association will have their own requirements on not only the age range, but also the scan locations on the animal. A certified carcass ultrasound technician will help producers walk through the process based on their individual herd needs.

Breed associations require a barn sheet to be submitted, which includes the animal’s registration number and contemporary group. The carcass ultrasound data will eventually meet up with the barn sheet to ensure data going into the breed database is accurate.

Worrell says to remove single-head contemporary groups from the scan cattle, because a minimum of two animals of the same sex are needed for comparison.

Beyond that, provide access to a squeeze chute, electricity and a scale. The technician will clip and clean the scan areas on the animal before taking the ribeye, backfat and marbling measurements.

“The technician submits that data to a centralized process lab, which is approved by the breed associations,” he explains. “All of this is overseen by the Ultrasound Guidelines Council, which is a part of Beef Improvement Federation.”

The Ultrasound Guidelines Council board ensures the labs, lab technicians, field technicians and their equipment are certified and accurate. But that is only part of the process.

“Collecting the data will not improve your animals,” Worrell says. “It’s what you do with that information. Everybody’s always looking to find what’s the highest marbling or the biggest ribeye, and what I have found is that maybe the most useful part of collecting it is to get rid of the bottom end.”

And that’s exactly what Stovall has done with his cow herd. When replacement heifers come through the chute, they undergo a visual appraisal, breeding soundness exam and carcass ultrasound.

“Once we get the data back, we cull off the bottom,” Stovall says. “My ultimate goal is to get a spreadsheet behind every cow standing.”

This has afforded Stovall and other clients of Worrell’s to add carcass data to a suite of other performance information to make the best breeding decisions to advance their herd, no matter the breed.

“A breed doesn’t guarantee the carcass quality or the lack of quality,” Worrell says. “There’s as much difference within that breed as there are amongst the breeds.”

Regardless of their status as a purebred or commercial herd, contemporary groups are important because they allow for a more accurate measurement of carcass merit, removing environmental differences.

Casey Worrell says scanning cattle is only the first step toward improving carcass quality. Taking action by culling low performers or adjusting breeding decisions is what leads to progress within the herd. Photo by Erin Worrell.

Worrell says the genetic heritability of marbling is about 45%, and the other 55% is due to environment, nutrition and health.

“Any differences we would see in that contemporary group should be due to genetics because everything else was equal,” he explains. “The larger the contemporary group, the more useful that information.”

Even so, he says collecting data on smaller herds is still valuable. In these cases, he recommends gathering as a group for a technician to scan several cattle in one day. That may be more cost-effective, and some technicians have a minimum head requirement.

Finding a way to gather the information is nonnegotiable for many buyers today.

“You’re never going to attract that buyer if you don’t have the information they are looking for,” Worrell says. “They might say, ‘I’ve never had anybody ask for carcass data,’ but that’s probably because that buyer was already somewhere else that was providing it.”

Stovall is one of them. “I won’t buy bulls unless I can get actual scan data, because to me, that’s what I’m building on and using in my herd.”

From his perspective, the return is positive.

“I think you’re certainly going to get your money back,” he says. “If you are wanting to raise a better product, utilize all the technology that’s available. You’re going to learn more about what you have as a cow herd, and you’re going to improve it over time.”

Industry wide, the quality-beef movement will continue to win the day with consumers around the world. Employing technology and data, like what is

collected chute-side during carcass scans, will help cattle producers raise the bar even higher.

At the same time, ultrasound software will continue to improve, allowing producers to capture the carcass data necessary to predict genetics and improve genomic predictions even more accurately over time.

“It’s more important, today and in the future, that we produce a premium product,” Worrell says. T C

30 Years of Progress

A timeline of technician certification, centralized ultrasound processing and the Ultrasound Guidelines Council.

January 1989. The first certification test of ultrasound technicians was held at Texas A&M University, using standards developed by the Beef Improvement Federation.

1998-2000. Animal Ultrasound Practitioners, a self-governing organization of technicians, began certifying technicians. Iowa State University and the American Angus Association conducted a research project on the logistics of technician certification and centralized ultrasound image processing.

2001. The Iowa State University centralized ultrasound processing lab transitioned to the private firm of Walter and Associates LLC. The Annual Proficiency Testing and Certification Committee was established by the U.S. Beef Breeds Council.

2003. Annual Proficiency Testing and Certification Committee renamed to the Ultrasound Guidelines Council.

Ultrasound vs. Actual

A cross section of the 12th - 13th rib-relating muscles: A) Spinalis dorsi, B) Longissimus dorsi and C) Costarum

Ultrasound

Photo by Radale Tiner

Source: Ultrasound Guidelines Council

FROM WHY TO HOW

What’s next for cattle disease traceability.

By Jena McRell

March 11, 2020. The day the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. The weeks and months that followed were unlike any other time in history.

Right, wrong or otherwise, immediate precautions were enacted to slow the movement of a virus the world struggled to understand. As a result, Americans felt an economic surge that echoes even today.

Reflecting back on the time period begs the question: What would happen if a major disease threat struck the U.S. cattle population?

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, foot-and-mouth disease or bovine tuberculosis are a few concerns that could potentially have COVID-like repercussions.

For decades, stakeholders have gathered around the importance of animal disease traceability — debating and researching approaches to the increasingly complex concern.

In recent years, industry-wide efforts have guided practical progress toward the intricacies of animal disease traceability.

COMING TOGETHER

U.S. CattleTrace officially launched as a non-profit organization in May 2020, after several years as a pilot project with the USDA, Kansas Department of Agriculture and others.

Kansas-native Callahan Grund had been with the effort since the beginning and was a natural choice to serve as the first executive director.

The membership group, of which Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association has been active, brings together all voices in the cattle industry toward the goal of developing a producer-led, voluntary disease traceability system.

“The world of ID and traceability has changed dramatically,” Grund says. “Since the pilot project started in 2018, we’ve changed the questions from ones of hesitation to more on implementation.”

He credits the major step forward to greater industry participation, technology advancements and real-world events, like what was felt in 2020, of a disease outbreak in humans. The vocabulary is more comfortable, too.

The world of ID and traceability has changed dramatically.”

— Callahan Grund, U.S. CattleTrace

Right — U.S. CattleTrace members include cow-calf producers from more than 25 states, feedyards with a one-time capacity of about 2.2 million head, auction markets marketing roughly 2.1 million head annually, and three out of the nation’s four major packers. Photo courtesy of U.S. CattleTrace.

“Contact tracing was one of the hardest concepts for me to explain until COVID happened,” says Grund of the ability to identify those animals in close contact with confirmed disease cases, a mission of U.S. CattleTrace. “Now, everyone knows what it means.”

Because cattle can change hands multiple times in two to three years, the process of contact tracing proves difficult.

Take for example, foot-andmouth disease, the world’s most contagious disease for cloven-hoofed animals. Though eradicated in the U.S. in 1929, just one case could cause significant, long-lasting harm.

“Foot-and-mouth disease spreads more rapidly than COVID,” Grund says. “We would have hours, not days or weeks, to get our arms wrapped around the situation to stay ahead of it.”

Texas State Veterinarian and Executive Director for the Texas Animal Health Commission, Dr. Andy Schwartz says a single case of foot-and-mouth disease would likely result in an immediate 72-hour movement shut down, potentially nationwide.

International trade, which valued nearly $11.7 billion in U.S. beef exports in 2022, would freeze, as well. Reputational damages could also impede future trade efforts in emerging markets.

“That situation would be very disruptive to the industry immediately,” says Schwartz, who has spent 30-plus years working in regulatory medicine.

“Our ability to trace animals quickly and stamp out that disease is going to be critical.”

U.S. CattleTrace is a producer-led organization that aims to create a voluntary system of contact tracing in the case of a threatening cattle disease outbreak.

Cow-calf producers, stockers, auction markets, feeders and packers are involved in orchestrating the program and protocol.

Within U.S. CattleTrace, producers are able to send four limited data points for disease traceability purposes: an animal’s ID number, GPS coordinates when scanned, and the respective date and time.

No personal information is shared.

“We want to give the amount of data necessary to do a successful trace; nothing more than that,” Grund says.

A board of directors, elected by the U.S. CattleTrace membership, determines how, when and who can

Low-frequency tags are best scanned around 12-14 inches from the tag; while ultra-high frequency tags can be read up to 25-30 feet away. Both are accurate and reliable. Photos courtesy of Texas Animal Health Comission and U.S. CattleTrace.

Callahan Grund

Dr. Andy Schwartz

USDA LIKELY TO ENACT EID RULE

More than 2,000 comments were received after USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service released a proposed rule in January 2023 to require both visual and electronic identification for previously established classes of livestock.

The conversation on this concept has been ongoing since 2019.

A decade ago, the agency began requiring official identification for breeding animals more than 18 months old; cattle and bison of any age used for rodeo or recreational events, including shows and expositions; and all female dairy cows and male dairy animals born after March 11, 2013.

The pending rule doesn’t change the classes of animals that must be officially identified, but rather, says the device must be readable electronically and visually at arm’s length.

That’s according to Dr. Andy Schwartz, state veterinarian and executive director for the Texas Animal Health Commission.

“My hope is that they will adopt the rule in the form that it is now,” Schwartz says. “It will likely be after the first of the year when the final rule is announced.”

Under the current language, livestock owners would have six months to transition to the electronic ID tags before the requirement is officially in place.

Schwartz encourages cattle raisers to contact the Texas Animal Health Commission to request low-frequency ear tags, at no cost, and start working them into their herd management.

“Even if you don’t have a reader or software system, you can still visually read the tag to put it in your records — and you’re meeting ID requirements for a lot of good reasons,” he says.

access its database. Mainly, state animal health departments like the Texas Animal Health Commission.

“Animal health officials are tasked with protecting the industry and your livelihood as a producer,” Grund says. “They want to do it in a more efficient way rather than the old pen-and-paper method.”

The voluntary system developed by U.S. CattleTrace, a private entity not subject to the Freedom of Information Act, would provide animal health officials up-to-date information about an animal’s location — while ensuring privacy for cattle raisers.

This allows for an efficient and accurate look at what herds may or may not be impacted by a disease threat.

Joe Leathers, general manager of the historic Four Sixes Ranch and director for Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, says U.S. CattleTrace is the result of proactive conversations, led by producers, to create their own solutions to disease traceability.

“Cattle raisers have been instrumental in coming up with and supporting a voluntary system that would work,” says Leathers, who was also one of the founding board members of U.S. CattleTrace.

Schwartz says he is encouraged by the progress.

“You can’t push a rope, but you can sure pull one,” he says. “The fact that the industry is willing to put skin in the game and develop a system on their own, then share the data from it, is a sign we are moving in the right direction.”

ID IN ACTION

Grund was driving a feedyard in Kansas when something stopped him in his tracks.

A pen of feeder cattle with ultra-high frequency tags stood out from the rest. They were printed with the text, Navasota Livestock Weaned Sale. Grund easily recognized they hailed from East Texas and called the livestock market’s owner Greg Goudeau.

“Of the hundreds of thousands of cattle that are sold everywhere, he stopped on a pen of our cattle and could trace them back to the auction,” says Goudeau, who has owned Navasota Livestock for 20 years.

In spring 2019, Navasota Livestock, along with several other Texas auction markets, was selected

Greg Goudeau

Joe Leathers

to participate in a traceability study using ultra-high frequency back tags. The project was conducted by Texas Animal Health Commission and Texas Cattle Feeders Association.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association was among the project collaborators, as well.

Through USDA funding, Navasota Livestock switched entirely to the ultra-high frequency back tags for one year. The objective was to test whether or not electronic readings could move at the speed of commerce.

“Hands down, it is the best thing I’ve been involved in for advancing animal ID,” Goudeau says.

“I was highly suspicious it would work, but we proved that we could use the readers as a tool to help us. It didn’t slow us down.”

Down the supply chain, the back tags were linked with permanent electronic ID. Goudeau remembers watching from his computer screen as cattle moved all the way to the packer. He saw updates the day they arrived.

With the market fully outfitted with electronic readers, Goudeau incorporated ultra-high frequency

ear tags into weaned calf sales, which market nearly 24,000 head throughout the year.

Since every calf is individually identified, it gives buyers and Goudeau the confidence in their ability to perform as expected.

“We wanted to provide an opportunity for our customers to market their cattle in a more successful way, so they can be rewarded for doing the right things — weaning their calves and vaccinating them,” says Goudeau, who is also a Superior Livestock area representative.

The most recent Aug. 30 sale in Navasota offered 4,115 head with premiums up to $20 per hundredweight compared to the weekly livestock auction.

Goudeau stresses the added profit potential and value back to cow-calf producers is a critical part of the traceability equation.

“It has to pay off, especially in recent years when folks are already operating on margins,” he says.

His concern is shared by many others when it comes to implementing an industry-wide animal disease traceability system — who will foot the bill?

It has to pay off, especially in recent years when folks are already operating on margins.”

— Greg Goudeau, Navasota Livestock

Navasota Livestock has hosted weaned calf sales for four years, and its management is linked to the electronic ID tags. Photos courtesy of Navasota Livestock.

U.S. CattleTrace and industry groups, including Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, are advocating for maintained or increased USDA funding for state agencies to help build the necessary infrastructure in livestock markets, and offer cow-calf producers reducedcost or free access to radio frequency ID.

Over the past few years, USDA has provided lowfrequency ear tags to states, and the Texas Animal Health Commission has received and distributed more than 1 million of them. Anyone can request these complimentary tags and start incorporating electronic ID into their herds.

From the veterinary perspective, Schwartz stresses the cost of not having proper ID: “What is the cost of a misread tag that sends us in the wrong direction? There will be a cost with the tags and readers, but there is a benefit, as well.”

With a nearly $11.7 billion in beef exports in 2022, lost commerce from a disease outbreak would devastate market supplies. To Leathers and many other traceability advocates, the cost of implementation is worth it. He likens it to drought insurance or other risk management investments.

“The best way to look at this is an insurance policy,” he says. “And if we ever have a disease outbreak, it will pay for itself rapidly.”

WHAT’S NEXT

While technology has significantly evolved in recent years, Grund expects the next three to be greater than anything seen in the last two decades.

Research, product development and innovation have led to incredible advancements in the world of electronic ID and related software.

“We tag all of our adult cows and feeder calves, as well, and we trace them all the way through to the packer,” says Leathers, adding that the electronic ID is linked back to his ranch management software. “There’s no limit to the records that you can keep. It can be as simple or complex as you want it to be.”

Looking to the future, Leathers says he hopes there will be a complete, functional and voluntary disease traceability system in place. One that all beef cattle producers, stockers, feedyard operators and packers can get behind.

“God willing we won’t, but if we do ever have a disease outbreak, then we have the ability to not disrupt the market any longer than necessary or not even at all,” he says.

While there’s still much work ahead toward the goal of an industry-significant disease traceability system, it is important to recognize cattle raisers are seated at the table.

“We want to make sure we are doing what is best for the industry and the TSCRA membership,” Leathers says. “Every board member on U.S. CattleTrace is a member of their respective state organizations, and we all have the same goal — a voluntary program that will actually work and protect the industry.” T C

CAST YOUR BALLOT IN NOVEMBER

By Melissa Hamilton, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association executive director of government relations

While the upcoming election ballot will not determine our nation’s president or our state’s governor, there are still important items that will be up for a vote Nov. 7.

Texans will vote on 14 propositions, and of those, three have direct and far-reaching impacts for rural Texans, ranchers and landowners. Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association supports the following proposed state constitutional amendments and urges its members to vote “yes” on Propositions 1, 6 and 8.

Proposition 1 – Protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture and wildlife management.

During the 88th Regular Session earlier this year, the Texas Legislature passed two bills and a joint resolution to strengthen the state’s existing Right to Farm law, and safeguard agriculture from new and growing challenges.

House Bill 2308, authored by Rep. Trent Ashby and sponsored by Sen. Charles Perry, protects Texas farms

and ranches from unwarranted lawsuits and other legal actions. H.B. 2308 also encourages the growth of state agriculture by shielding expanded farming and ranching operations under the Right to Farm law.

Another piece of legislation, H.B. 1750, expands the right to farm protection for agricultural operations near and around cities and other municipalities. H.B. 1750 was authored by Rep. DeWayne Burns and sponsored by Sen. Charles Perry.

Gov. Greg Abbott signed H.B. 2308 and H.B. 1750, and they became law Sept. 1.

In addition, the Texas Legislature passed House Joint Resolution 126. The joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to enshrine the right of Texans to farm and ranch. H.J.R. 126 gained widespread bipartisan support in the Texas Senate and House of

STANDING WITH US

Sen. Charles Perry is a lifelong West Texan and a certified public accountant from Lubbock. He was elected to the Texas Senate in 2014, after serving two terms in the Texas House of Representatives.

Perry currently chairs the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs; and is vice-chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

In the 88th Regular Session, Perry authored or sponsored legislation vital to Texas ranchers and landowners, including House Bills 1750 and 2308, which update and strengthen protections for agricultural operations in the state’s Right to Farm statute.

Similarly, Perry sponsored House Joint Resolution 126. This joint resolution creates a constitutional right to farm and ranch. It will be on the Nov. 7 ballot as Proposition 1.

Understanding the importance of water for all Texans, including those in rural areas and those engaged in agriculture, Perry authored Senate Bill 28 and Senate Joint Resolution 75 to create a Texas Water Fund and the New Water Supply Fund.

Perry also authored other key bills to protect Texas ranchers, such as S.B. 664, which requires alternative protein sources and cell-cultured products to clearly label their products through a set of guidelines and requirements.

Perry and his wife, Jacklyn, have a daughter, Jordan; a son, Matthew; and five grandchildren — all Texas Tech University graduates.

Sen. Charles Perry

Melissa Hamilton

STANDING WITH US

Rep. Trent Ashby was sworn into the Texas House of Representatives in January 2013. His district is comprised of Angelina, Houston, Polk, San Augustine, Trinity and Tyler counties.

He currently serves as chair of the House Committee on Culture, Recreation and Tourism; and he is a member of the House Transportation Committee.

During the 88th Regular Session, Ashby authored H.B. 2308 to protect farmers and ranchers from unwarranted legal actions by updating the state’s Right to Farm Law.

He also joint-authored H.J.R. 126, which will be listed on the fall ballot as Proposition 1 and gives Texans a constitutional right to farm and ranch.

Ashby additionally authored H.J.R. 125, which creates a broadband infrastructure fund to expand highspeed broadband access throughout the state.

Born and raised on a dairy farm and diversified livestock operation in Rusk County, Ashby is proud of his rural background and upbringing. He is a graduate of Henderson High School and was named one of their distinguished alumni in 2014. Ashby is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics.

Today, Ashby is Senior Vice President for VeraBank. He and his wife, Nickie, live in Lufkin and have two sons, Garin and Grant. T C

Representatives. The proposed constitutional amendment protects all farms and ranches regardless of size.

Along with farming and ranching, it also protects timber, horticulture and wildlife management to secure the right of all Texans to steward the land they love, while providing food, clothing and shelter for the state, nation and world.

H.J.R. 126 will be on the November ballot as Proposition 1. Although ranching and Texas are often viewed as synonymous, the success of Proposition 1 cannot be taken for granted.

A similar measure failed in Oklahoma in 2016, where groups seeking to end farming and ranching used negative tactics and false or misleading attacks to defeat the amendment. We cannot let that happen in Texas.

Proposition 6 – Creating the Texas Water Fund to assist in financing water projects.

Another important constitutional amendment on the November ballot, Proposition 6 creates a Texas Water Fund to repair aging and leaking pipes, as well as fund new projects needed to meet the increasing demand for clean water in the growing state.

The proposition represents the culmination of years of hard work by a bipartisan group of legislators known for their efforts on behalf of agriculture and rural Texans.

Proposition 6 seeks to ensure the state has an infrastructure capable of efficiently delivering clean water, both now and in the future.

Proposition 8 – Creating the Broadband Infrastructure Fund to expand high-speed access and assist in financing connectivity projects.

Proposition 8 continues the important work by the Texas Legislature in previous years to improve access to high-speed broadband Internet for all residents.

Improvement to high-speed broadband access helps improve rural Texans’ access to certain healthcare services, and their access to information needed for success in work and education.

Throughout the last few years, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar has reached across the state to better understand current efforts and areas of need to guarantee all Texans have access to high-speed broadband Internet and its benefits.

Legislators passed a bill this session to make the necessary updates to the state’s broadband infrastructure in response to these findings. But, without funding, these efforts cannot be implemented.

Proposition 8 must pass to secure needed dollars to provide reliable access to broadband service, including those who ranch and steward land in the rural parts of the state.

As we near Nov. 7, remember what is at stake. Please encourage friends and family to join you at the polls to support the future of rural Texas. T C

Rep. Trent Ashby

COMMITTED

A story about the future of TSCRA.

By Emily Lochner, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association executive director engagement and education

In February 1877, 40 cattlemen gathered under an old oak tree in Graham. Alarmed and uneasy with the rising number of cattle thefts plaguing the High Plains, the group hired law enforcement to protect their family of cattle raisers. It was the raw beginnings of an association that has since weathered the test of time.

More than 146 years later, values such as courage, faith, family, heritage, humility, integrity, leadership, perseverance and stewardship remain at the core of Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

Passing on these values and equipping the next generation to meet the modern-day challenges they face is the ultimate goal of the association’s young leader development programs.

The second-annual Cattle Raisers Roundup brought 26 high-school sophomores, juniors and seniors to a week-long, pasture-to-plate beef tour in July.

To participate, students completed an intensive application process, which included written essays, letters of recommendation and an interview.

The experience was far from a typical summer camp — it exposed the beef industry’s highest caliber students to hands-on, real-life scenarios.

A glimpse into policy

Cattle Raisers Roundup participants began their experience in one of the state’s most influential buildings: the Texas Capitol in Austin.

During this unique tour, led by Melissa Hamilton, the association’s executive director of government relations, students journeyed through the steps of the legislative process — and learned how priority bills impacting the cattle industry were passed in the 88th Regular Session.

From the desk of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Austin office to the Texas House of Representatives and Senate, and everywhere in between, participants experienced what it takes to see a bill become a law.

Most importantly, they learned the importance of using their voice to shape influential policy in support of cattle raisers, landowners and rural areas.

Students learn how TSCRA advocates for sound policy on issues impacting cattle production and private property rights.

The full picture

Cow-calf producers are the heartbeat of the beef industry. Students received a front-row seat to raising beef with land management at the core at HeartBrand Cattle in Flatonia.

Students saw a complete ranch-to-rail operation, where selection, breeding and feeding revolve around a value-added, consumer mindset. The experience came full circle when students cut their own ribeyes from cattle in the HeartBrand program.

While at La Babia Cattle in Floresville, the team of cattle managers conveyed the importance of preconditioning health as cattle travel across an international border to endpoint at the company feedyard in Quemado.

A session on stocking rates and grass availability showcased the heart of cow-calf country alongside the fifth-generation Diebel Ranch in Victoria.

Thanks to USDA Natural Resources Conversation Service and the Texas Grazing Lands Coalition, students ran trials with a rainwater simulator demonstrating how working lands capture rainwater, rather than shed it.

Similarly at King Ranch and the East Foundation, students experienced the cross section of livestock production, wildlife management and range health to ultimately foster a culture of stewardship that improves the productivity of native lands.

An additional stop at the Pearsall Livestock Auction showcased how vaccination protocols, hide color, castration, horns and more impacts the bottom-line — marketing sense to help the young cattle raisers develop opportunity in their own herds one day. Any entrepreneur knows there is no market without a satisfied customer.

Tours at Dean and Peeler Meatworks in Poth, and the H-E-B processing facility in San Antonio, gave students a flipside view of consumer preferences.

They learned beef harvest protocols, primal and retail beef cuts, food safety and handling measures, and how price drives sales.

Financial and career sense

For young people on the edge of adulthood, a lesson in financial stability was not overlooked. At a stop at Prosperity Bank, students learned ways to establish credit, apply for a business loan, open a checking account and how to create a successful business plan. This lesson brought an opportunity to address one of the greatest future challenges — a rising cost of entry into the industry.

While at one of the most successful agricultural law firms in the state, Uhl Fitzsimons in San Antonio,

students peppered a panel of agriculture attorneys on their best professional development advice. From resume advice to networking skills, the team helped ready youth for college, internships and more.

For those interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine, a stop at the Victoria Veterinary Clinic gave students an inside look at establishing veterinarian-client-patient-relationships and a typical day in the life as a large animal veterinarian.

Most importantly, students learned about the wide horizon of careers in agriculture. A tour of Smith Gin Cooperative, a South Texas cotton gin, and the Corpus Christi Grain Elevator, leased by ADM Animal Nutrition, gave students perspective to the feed-ration side of the industry.

Making connections

Throughout the 2023 Cattle Raisers Roundup, participants enjoyed networking with industry leaders at every turn. Each lunch and dinner, students had the opportunity to interact with Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association directors, committee members and sponsors. Students also met with elected officials and the association’s special rangers.

Students saw beyond the connections they were making. They saw how the industry comes together to do more. This included the likes of Texas Beef Council, partners who keep beef top-of-mind for consumers across the state, and advance research and education within the beef community.

Just as the founders of Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association believed over a century ago — cattle raisers are stronger when standing together. Through events such as the Cattle Raisers Roundup, the association fulfills its mission to open doors and lay the path forward for the next generation. T C

Top left and right — Students visit Dean and Peeler Meatworks and learn firsthand from TSCRA Director Dustin Dean as he breaks down the parts of a beef carcass for students. Bottom right — Savay Sexton, Gonzales, showcases Prime Akaushi ribeyes that students hand cut and grilled at HeartBrand Beef.

Corral Design Service

Jordan Cattle Auction… Where Cattlemen Come to Buy and Sell!

SpecialBullOfferings

Inconjunctionwithourregularsale. Bullswillsellat10a.m.Bullswill befertilitytested,meettrichrequirements,andreadytogotowork.

Thursday,Oct.12@10:00a.m.–SanSaba FeaturingHiddenOaksRanch&SimmonsCharolais

BooksareClosed!

Thursday,Oct.19@10:00a.m.–SanSaba SutphinCattleCo&KnoxBrothers30HeadofAngus, RedAngus,Charolais,SimAngus&LimFlexfromSuthpin &50headofAngus&HerefordfromKnoxBrothers.

BooksareClosed!

Thursday,Nov.2@10:00a.m.–SanSaba HalesAngusFarms&CannonCharolais–30Angus&50CharolaisBulls

*Wednesday,Nov.8@11:00a.m.–SanSaba BarberHerefordRanchandExpressRanchAngus

Thursday,Nov.16@10:00a.m.–SanSaba

FeaturingSchaeferFarmsAngus–25AngusBulls

BooksareClosed!

Thursday,Dec.14@10:00a.m.–SanSaba Leachman’sTexasFallStabilizerBullSale–90Bulls

SpecialReplacementFemaleSales

*Wednesday,Oct.18@11:00a.m.–SanSaba 10thAnnualHillCountryYouthHeiferSale

Fall“Best

ReplacementFemaleSale

Saturday,Oct.28@10:00a.m.–SanSaba Offeringqualitypair,bredcows,bredheifers,andopenorexposedheifers. Don’tmissyouropportunitytobuysomeofthebestfemalesinthecountry! Thesellerandbuyerofthetop-sellingfemalesineachoftheclasseswill receiveatrophy.Allcattlewillbefiveyearsofageoryounger!

Saturday,Dec.2@10:00a.m.–SanSaba ConsignmentsWelcome!

HELD AT 11:00 a.m.

Monday – Mason Thursday – San Saba

Formoreinfoonabove salesoronlineviewing andbidding,pleasecall orvisitourwebsite.

INDUSTRY BRIEFS

TSCRA MEMBER TO LEAD TEXAS A&M DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

Clay Mathis, Ph.D., has been named the new head of the Department of Animal Science, making a return to the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, beginning Oct. 1.

Mathis, a native of New Braunfels, is no stranger to the department as he earned both his bachelor’s in animal science in 1993 and his master’s in physiology of reproduction in 1995 at Texas A&M University. He earned his doctorate in ruminant nutrition in 1998 at Kansas State University.

He is returning to lead the team of faculty and staff to ensure the department remains among the world’s most impactful animal science bodies of students and faculty, internationally renowned for excellence in animal science teaching, research and Extension.

In what he considers to be one of the most important parts of his role, he plans to lead, inspire, recruit and support departmental faculty and staff as they work to further the mission and vision of Texas A&M University and Texas A&M AgriLife.

Since 2010, Mathis has served as a professor and the Robert J. Kleberg Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg endowed chair and director at the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Prior to that, he spent 12 years at New Mexico State University as an Extension livestock specialist.

Mathis is vice-chair of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Beef Quality Assurance advisory group and

a co-chair of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Beef Innovations Hub external advisory board.

In addition, he was a charter member of the board of directors for the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef and has served on numerous committees within the American Society of Animal Science.

CATTLE PRODUCERS DIRECT NCBA ACTION ON CELL-CULTURED PRODUCTS

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association members passed a directive July 26 during the NCBA Summer Business Meeting to continue its advocacy efforts on transparent labeling and inspection of cell-cultured protein products.

The directive was brought forward by the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association, California Cattlemen’s Association and Florida Cattlemen’s Association and passed at the Summer Business Meeting, hosted July 2426 in San Diego.

All policies passed at this meeting will be forwarded to the association’s general membership for a full vote in the fall. This grassroots process ensures that policy positions reflect the views of cattle producers.

Earlier this year, the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service issued two grants of inspection to companies producing cell-cultured chicken imitation products.

These grants of inspection permit companies producing cell-cultured products to sell their products in interstate commerce. While no cell-cultured imitations of beef have received a grant of inspection, several companies are attempting to create these products.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association previously advocated for USDA oversight of cell-cultured meat and was pleased to see FSIS inspecting these products as opposed to the Food and Drug Administration.

USDA inspections occur more frequently and hold these companies to a higher food safety standard. Moving forward, the association will be urging Congress to set labeling requirements, so cell-cultured products are clearly distinguishable from real beef and to prevent confusion or misrepresentation about these products. T C

GET MORE FROM YOUR PASTURES & RANGELAND

In key locations across Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico, Helena has branches staffed with people who can provide landowners, ranchers and wildlife enthusiasts with all their management needs.

For more information, contact your local Helena representative or visit HelenaAgri.com.

Join

PREDATOR CONTROL

Participate in this month’s Ranching 101.

Join Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association for the next Ranching 101 webinar at 1 p.m. on Oct. 17. Scan the QR code below to register. Learn about wildlife management across native habitats with speaker Mike Bodenchuk. Bodenchuk serves as the state director for the Cooperative Texas Wildlife Services Program and will address approaches to managing the most common predators and nuisance species across Texas.

From hogs and vultures, to big cats and beavers, learn how to protect wildlife and natural resources while managing a thriving cattle operation

ABOUT RANCHING 101

Ranching 101 webinars provide participants with practical, sound guidance on the tools and equipment needed to get started in ranching or land ownership. The monthly webinar is available online on the third Tuesday of every month.

Registration is complimentary for any association member. Visit tscra.org to learn more. T C

The health of your soil and livestock are the keys to the profitability of your business. But with all the conflicting information out there, and with so much on the line, it can be hard to know where to start. Whether you’re a first- or fifthgeneration rancher, and whether you manage a small or large operation, this program will transform the way you think about your ranch.

Upcoming 2023 Events

Oct. 17-18

Oct. 31-Nov. 1

Nov. 7-8

G. Rollie White Visitor Center, College Station, TX

Noble Research Institute, Ardmore, OK

Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Center, Kingsville, TX

Mike Bodenchuk

Are you spending too much and making too little?

We all know that when you do not get enough rain to sustain healthy pastures or hay fields you are in trouble. If you are worried about the economic impact of not getting enough rain, give me a call.

How you set this policy up matters, when it is not right, it costs you.

If you have heard of PRF but are not sure how it works, if you have tried it before but it did not pan out, or if you currently have it with someone that gives you the same thoughtless, “Cookie - Cutter” policy year after year then we need to talk. Sit with me and allow me to show how we set the benchmark for service and knowledge. We will design a policy to be the most beneficial for your operation and budget.

I will be at the following TSCRA Ranch Gatherings:

Throckmorton

Oct. 10th

San Angelo

Oct.16th

Victoria Oct. 27th

Fredericksburg

Nov. 9th

hope to see you there!

DISTRICT 2 - TEXAS PANHANDLE

Steers missing in Dallam County.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Special Ranger Ben Eggleston reports 15 steers missing from a pasture five miles north of Chamberlin. The steers weigh approximately 450 to 550 pounds and are red, black or Charolais. The livestock are branded with a triangle on the left hip, have fly tags in the left ear and numbered tags in the right ear. The numbered tags read K Bill Cattle Company and feature the triangle brand. The tags are either red with No. 792, orange with No. 796, blue with No. 794 or white with No. 793. The steers were last accounted for June 19 and were discovered missing July 3. Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact Eggleston at 806-852-4741.

DISTRICT 9 - CENTRAL TEXAS

Cattle shot in Parker County.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Special Ranger Zach Havens reports a black Angus bull and cow shot and killed in a pasture at the intersection of Old Garner Road and Shady Grove Road. The cattle were shot on or around July 22. Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact Havens at 254-396-1747.

DISTRICT 10 - CENTRAL TEXAS

Bulls missing near Quinlan.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Special Ranger Robert Pemberton reports two registered Beefmaster bulls missing. One bull is approximately 1,100 pounds with 103 branded on the left hip, and a white ear tag including No. 103 and the bull’s birth date. The second bull is approximately 700 pounds with 116 branded on the left hip, and a white ear tag including No. 116 and the bull’s birth date. The bulls were last seen July 25. Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact Pemberton at 903-450-3900.

DISTRICT

11

- NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS

Bull missing near Grayson County

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Special Ranger Brad Oliver reports a 3-year-old, registered, gray Brahman bull missing from a pasture off Range Creek Road. The bull is branded with J2 bar 59 on the left leg and has a blue ear tag with No. 119 in the left ear. He was last seen July 21.

Trailer stolen in Grayson County.

Oliver also reports an 18-foot, tandem-axle, bumper pull utility trailer stolen. The black trailer is a 2012 year model with two flat tires, and a spare tire secured to the tongue. The VIN number is 13ZHP1829C1000307, and it has a Park brand decal on the tongue. The trailer was stolen July 21 between 7:30 and 10:30 a.m. from a property on Sears Road. It was loaded with scrap metal, home appliances and other miscellaneous items. Anyone with information on these cases is urged to contact Oliver at 903-328-8023.

DISTRICT 15 — CENTRAL TEXAS

Cattle and equipment missing near Waco.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Special Marvin Wills reports a yellow four-wheeler and two, 2-day-old black calves missing from a property off Horseshoe Bend Road. The 2008 Honda 420 fourwheeler has the serial number 1HFTE340884105471. The four-wheeler and calves were last seen the evening of July 23 and discovered missing the morning of July 24. Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact Wills at 254-223-2330.

DISTRICT 19 — CENTRAL TEXAS

Cows missing in Tom Green County.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Special Ranger H.D. Brittain reports 21 black Brangus cross cows missing from a pasture in northeast Tom Green County. The cows are middle-aged and were last seen June 15. Anyone with information on this case is urged to contact Brittain at 325-340-2268.

DISTRICT 22 — EAST TEXAS

Hay stolen in Waller County.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Special Ranger Brent Mast reports seven 5-foot by 6-foot round bales stolen from a property off Hauck Road near Hempstead. They were stolen between July 26 and Aug. 1.

Cattle missing in Burleson County.

Mast also reports two black cow-calf pairs and one gray Brahman bull missing. The cattle have no identifying marks or brands and were last seen July 11. Anyone with information on these cases is urged to contact Mast at 936-714-9066.

DISTRICT 25 — SOUTHEAST TEXAS

Solar panels stolen near Goliad.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Special Ranger Robert Fields reports seven Sun Spark brand solar panels stolen from a property off Bayou Road. The panels are approximately 39 inches long by 65 inches tall. The panels were stolen on or around July 2 when an unknown suspect cut a lock on a gate, drove through the ranch and unbolted the solar panels from three different water wells.

Every member of the CattleMax Customer Service Team is a working cattle rancher, who uses CattleMax every day. They speak your language and can guide you through anything. So not only do you get to speak with a real person, you get to speak with a real U.S.-based rancher.

Theft & Law

Solar panels stolen near Victoria.

Fields also reports eight Rich brand 100-watt solar panels stolen from a property off San Antonio River Road. The panels are approximately 39 inches long by 21.3 inches tall. The panels were stolen on or around July 2 when an unknown suspect cut a lock on a gate, drove into the pasture and unbolted the solar panels from the bracket near a water well. A license plate was found on the property and belonged to a stolen vehicle from Needville. The stolen vehicle is a black, 2020, King Ranch edition Ford F250.

Additional solar panels stolen near Victoria. In a second instance, the special ranger reports two solar panels stolen from a property off San Antonio River Road. The panels are approximately 2 feet by 4 feet. The panels were stolen when an unknown suspect cut a lock and unbolted the solar panels from a water well approximately half a mile into the property. This is in the same area and possibly the same suspect as the similar recently reported cases.

Cow missing near Victoria.

Fields also reports a black, motley-faced cow missing from a property along Highway 77 south of Victoria. The

cow is approximately 4 years old with no identifying brands or marks. She was last seen June 14.

Bull missing near Kingsbury.

The special ranger reports a black Wagyu bull missing from a property off Highway 90. The bull is branded with a dragging C over a 40F on the left hip. He also has DEBC tattooed in the right ear and 40F tattooed in the left ear. The bull was found missing July 7, after portable panels were discovered set up and rearranged to load out cattle. Anyone with information on these cases is urged to contact Fields at 361-207-5207.

DISTRICT

26

— CENTRAL TEXAS

Bull missing in Llano County.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association

Special Ranger Todd Jennings reports a black Brangus bull missing from a pasture near the Sandy Creek area. The bull is 3 years old and has a yellow ear tag with No. 700. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Jennings at 830-997-7585. T C

TSCRA offers a cash reward for information leading to the arrest and/or grand jury indictment of individuals for theft of livestock or related property. Anonymity is guaranteed. To provide information, call the Operation Cow Thief tip line at 817-916-1775.

Bull Buyer’s Guide Special Advertising Section

BULL SELECTION Starts Here

What to remember when purchasing a herd sire.

By Chrissy Fly

Whether purchasing as private treaty or competing for the highest bid at auction, the fall bull sale season brings an excitement all its own. Seedstock breeders open their gates and promote the latest and greatest genetic offerings — representing the promise of the next generation.

With calf prices expected to trend higher, there’s more opportunity for improved calf performance. And premiums start with the right herd sire.

“Cows are the heart of a herd, but a bull makes up half your calf crop,” says Emily Lochner, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association executive director of engagement and education. “The importance of bull selection cannot be understated. If you’re retaining daughters, a bull will have a lasting effect for decades on your herd.”

Lochner grew up on a beef cattle operation in Central Texas and has competed on livestock judging teams for both Butler Community College and Texas Tech University, where she graduated with an animal science degree. During the 2023 Cattle Raisers Convention & Expo, Lochner presented a live demonstration on cattle selection basics.

She says taking the time to narrow down the search and find the right bulls suited to an operation is key.

1. EXAMINE PRODUCTION GOALS.

Before buying bulls, Lochner suggests evaluating production goals and the environment.

Assessing the calf crop’s ultimate income source will be the strongest driver for bull selection. To do so, Lochner recommends starting with the end goal and working backward.

“For cow-calf producers, the goal may be to sell calves at weaning, or it may make more sense to sell after preconditioning,” Lochner says. “For others, it may be to raise direct-to-consumer beef or build their herd through replacement heifers.”

After assessing the end goal for calves, take time to look at the cows and what type of bulls will complement the herd. If cows are more feminine, there could be a need for a bull with more red meat. If cows are carrying too much frame, then a more moderate herd sire might be beneficial.

“There’s an old saying ‘the bull should fit the market, and the cow should fit the environment’ and that still rings true today,” Lochner says. “When buying cattle, evaluate your production goals, then counter in everything in your toolbox for selection, including phenotypic and genotypic factors.”

2. POUR OVER THE DATA.

From time-tested visual appraisal to sophisticated DNA technology, cattle raisers today are armed with an abundance of information from which to make breeding decisions.

When in doubt, ask questions to the breeders and others about how a potential sire may fit within a particular program or environment.

“Seedstock breeders want to help get the right bull in your hands,” Lochner says.

“Take advantage of all the information in a sale catalog. Evaluate the numbers of a bull, always determine if physically he is what your herd needs, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.”

A few of the fundamental factors to consider are breed, phenotype, performance, age and expected progeny differences.

When evaluating the phenotype of a bull, Lochner says structure is number one.

For a bull to do his job correctly, he needs to be physically able and have the athletic ability to breed a cow. Look for angulation of skeleton, squareness of

feet, and if he moves easily around the pen or pasture without struggle. A bull who has pain in his joints will not have a desire to mount a cow, so evaluating skeletal build should be the first priority.

Next, look for muscling and red meat. Looking down the topside of an animal, determine if he wide topped. Moving to the bull’s backside, evaluate muscle in his hip and lower stifle.

Lastly, look for fleshing ability, or body, by considering if he is deep ribbed or round bodied. A bull’s ability to maintain flesh throughout the breeding season will ensure less turnaround time to get him back into shape between breeding seasons.

While the bull’s conformation holds significance, genetic information is also fundamental.

Examining a bull’s performance data and EPDs is another way to guide sire selections. The numbers can provide insight to a bull’s potential, especially for young bulls with no proven progeny.

As many producers know, there are a number of EPDs to look at, but a few economically relevant traits to consider are weaning weight (WW), yearling weight (YW) and carcass traits (MARB, IMF, REA). These are important for most producers selling their calf crop and trying to maximize dollars per pound.

For cattle raisers looking to keep replacement heifers, a couple essential maternal EPDs to consider are calving-ease (CED, CEM), birthweight (BW), milk (M, MM) and stayability (STAY).

“EPDs are a great way to get a glimpse into a bull’s capabilities,” Lochner says. “We can use them to improve economic traits within the herd and ultimately increase profits.”

3. INVEST WISELY.

Since there is no one-size-fits-all when buying bulls, going back to an operation’s end goals and priorities can help narrow down to the essential characteristics. Evaluate the herd’s strengths and weaknesses — and invest in bulls that fit accordingly.

“At the end of the day, investing in a bull is just that — an investment,” Lochner says. “Ranches often operate on a shoestring budget, but the importance of a good bull will benefit your bottom line more than not.”

Ultimately, cattle raisers are in the business of producing beef and raising healthy, profitable calves. Whether buying one bull or 10, a careful and strategic approach to bull selection stands as a cornerstone for success. T C

PARAMOUNT

Red Angus genetics.

Chrissy Fly is a freelance writer and photographer from Dalhart.

Saturday, October 28, 2023

1:00 PM – Females Sell First Lunch at 12:00 Noon

At the Ranch, Winona, Texas (10678 FM 757, Winona, Texas 75792)

Selling

70 Simmental and SimAngus™ Bulls

• Yearling to Two-Year-Old Bulls

• All are polled

• Most are AI sired by breed leaders in both Simmental and Angus

50 Simmental and SimAngus™ Females

• Breds and Pairs plus both Simmental and SimAngus™ Open Heifers ready to breed

• All are polled

• Most are AI sired and bred to AI sires

100 Simbrah Females

• Breds, Pairs and 3-N-1’s plus F1 Simbrah Open Heifers ready to breed

• Most are ½ Simmental ½ Brahman heifers resulting from the mating of productive 7P Ranch Simmental cows to ONE elite Brahman AI sire – Mr Kallion 1352

• The disposition is Excellent on these cattle

• Most are registered with the American Simmental Association and also eligible to be Golden Certified registered with the American Brahman Breeders Association

Auctioneer:

Mark Tillman • 210-216-6754 • TX LIC# 9642

Sale Consultants: Warren Garrett • 903-316-2889

Marty Ropp • 406-581-7835

AND YOUR PREMIUMS.

1. Raise HeartBrand-sired cattle. Use fullblood Akaushi bulls crossed with your cow-herd (live coverage or semen).

6. HeartBrand sells Akaushi beef. Above-market price on superior beef = higher premiums for ranchers.

5. Improve USDA quality grade. The past 150,000 head of HeartBrand Akaushi cattle harvested graded: 60% USDA prime, 39% USDA choice and 1% USDA select and no roll.

Ranchto-Table Buyback Program

2. Verify breed with DNA. Verify parentage with the American Akaushi Association.

3. Follow management standards. No hormone implants and finished with no growth promotants.

4. Earn your buyback bonus. $100 to $150 premium for weaned calves and yearlings. $0.30/lb and up premium for finished fed cattle.

This is six generations of service to America’s ranching community. This is our family’s commitment to more efficient beef production. This is equal parts faith, sweat, science and innovation. This is a ranch that has met the challenges since 1895. This is 128 years of focus on our customers’ success. This is bred into every animal that carries the brand. This is R.A. Brown Ranch.

LN 1 DOMINO 215Z 0312H • 10/26/20 44210152 • Dam is Dam of Distinction

Noack Herefords

Established 1921 • 10630 S FM 908 • Rockdale, Texas 10 miles S of Rockdale on FM 908 or 10 miles N of Hwy. 21 on FM 908 Steven and Ruth Noack • (979) 218-0065

kelly@ernestoperating.com

Luke Noack • (979) 218-8498 • Office (512) 446-6200

LN

3297A 0211H • 10/15/20

Why roll the dice?

Not all “Angus” bulls are

Don’t gamble on unproven genetics. There are a lot of Angus bulls on the market, but not all are backed by the Invest wisely in a registered Angus bull.

B a r b e r R a n c h

ANNUAL BULL SALE

ANNUAL BULL SALE

11 a.m. CST, Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba, Texas

100+ lots of cutting-edge Hereford genetics…Horned & Polled…Powerful…Docile…Efficient…Fertile Barber Ranch bulls are known for their ease of handling and for possessing more muscling than many Hereford bulls. Our 2023 sale bulls are an incredible set with emphasis on calving ease with growth, marbling and $CHB, including curve-bending herd bull prospects plus bulls with outstanding Baldy Maternal & Brahman Influence $Indexes. And as always…heavy muscled bulls with a lot of “look”! All bulls sell with genomically enhanced EPDs.

If you are seeking to produce outstanding replacement females, buy a Barber Ranch bull!

For decades, we have placed heavy emphasis on the maternal strength and udder quality of our females. The bulls selling can help you build a cow herd for generations!

Brett Barber (806) 681-2457

Justin Barber (806) 681-5528

Dale & Mary Barber office@barberranch.com

10175 FM 3138, Channing, TX 79018 Ranch located 60 miles northwest of Amarillo barberranch.com

SBCATALOG REQUESTS: office@barberranch.com

Text: (806) 676-0098

Saturday, December 9, 2023

GKB Cattle & Barber Ranch Female Sale Desdemona, TX

Belle Air 6011 {CHB}

(Horned)

GKB Trending 0104

P44134955 (Homozygous Polled)

Genesis G16 ET {CHB}

P43987463 (Homozygous Polled)

Endure 0159 {CHB}

P44145342 (Homozygous Polled)

Selling now:

Semen packages on heterozygous and homozygous polled bulls

Purebred polled and dehorned bulls (93.75 – 97%)

7/8 to 31/32

purebred females

Volume discounts available on all cattle and semen

Member of American Wagyu Assn. #1812

American Akaushi Assn. #C0012

AP200550

AP169619

A thicker, Deeper bodied Performance bull!

AP142949

Excellent proven heifer bull!

Sale features include several herd sire prospects, including an EXAR Monumental grandson with a +362 for $C, +1.58 for MARB and +1.30 for RE.

FALL BULL AND FEMALE SALE

Cooke County Fairgrounds, Gainesville, Texas

Selling 50 powerful 18-24 month old, ranch-raised Angus bulls ready to go to work! And one Hereford bull.

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CATTLE MARKETING 101

A breakdown of the fundamentals and disruptors at play.

By Diane Meyer

The cattle market plays an important role in cash flow for cattle raisers, but its complexities can be difficult to grasp.

Compass Ag Solutions’ Bryan Vasseur, chief operating officer, and Garren Bellis, business and risk management consultant, recently shared their insights on the TSCRA Talk podcast, discussing what producers should know to become familiar with the marketing system.

The Fundamentals

With more than a decade of risk management in the cattle business, Vasseur devotes much of his time to studying the markets. He observes the biggest driver is a term dubbed “seasonals,” which refers to the industry’s natural production phases.

“There are, generally speaking, highs and lows in the market throughout a year,” said Vasseur, which arise from the cyclical pattern of the production system.

In North America, he explained, 60% to 80% of cows calve in the spring and reach weaning age in the fall. That same group will reach yearling stage the following spring, the same time when another calf crop arrives.

Though many years can be abnormal, he said to expect lows in the calf market to occur in fall, when most producers are selling.

“Highs would be in the spring, when there are less calves being weaned, and also green grass,” he said.

Markets for yearlings — or an 800-pound steer — are consequently inverse of the calf market, with highs in the fall and lows in the spring.

Because most grass in North America grows in the spring and summer, it is difficult for most operators to raise calves in other seasons, he added.

When calves are ready to sell, two commonplace avenues are the live cash market or the contractual futures market. There are two types of future contracts: feeder cattle and live cattle, the latter referring to fat cattle. The feeder cattle futures market represents calves weighing 700 to 899 pounds; the live cattle futures are animals at harvest weight.

For feeder cattle, futures prices settle to the CME

Feeder Cattle Index representing an 800-pound steer would sell for in the U.S. The CME publishes a daily index representative of every sale it covers, and the feeder cattle futures market trades around those values, Vasseur said.

“A lot of the prices you may see on the futures market may not be what the price is today, but it also

provides opportunities for cattlemen to lock in prices in the future,” he said. “In the end, the intention for the differences between cash and futures is to be nothing.”

The Disruptors

Bellis said market disruptors, also known as black swans in the cattle industry, can cause futures prices to adjust. Recent examples of sudden disruptors include the Tyson plant fire, global pandemic and announcement of the Russia-Ukraine war, which caused a major shift in supply and demand.

Other disruptors can happen gradually, like the rapid culling of the national cow herd, he pointed out.

Vasseur added, “There has been more market disruption, I believe, in the last five years than anyone can remember. Demand has brought us through a lot of those disruptions; beef demand has not been the problem.”

Rather, he explained, the now-resolved supply chain bottleneck was the biggest limitation.

The big concern as of late is fear that interest rate hikes will slow demand. He and Bellis agreed the best way to prepare is to have a risk management strategy.

“We’re selling for near-record prices, but we also have record input prices,” said Bellis, who grew up in the cow-calf business. “We have a lot to protect, a lot to gain and also a lot to lose without the right risk management strategy.”

In particular, the Compass Ag Solutions team highlights the value of livestock risk protection insurance. Vasseur noted previous risk management tools required a load of cattle, but recent changes to LRP insurance eliminated headcount requirements.

“It’s also subsidized, so it’s the cheapest form and most beneficial way for a rancher to use risk management right now,” he said.

Regardless of a chosen marketing plan and risk management strategy, Vasseur encouraged all producers to know their break even.

“Know where you’re at, know your cost of production,” he said. “It’s hard to manage risk if you don’t know that first.”

To listen to more of the conversation with Vasseur and Bellis, download TSCRA Talk via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or Stitcher. T C

Diane Meyer is the associate director of content for Grant Company based in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Ranching SMALL CHANGES, BIG PROGRESS

Shorten calving windows with these simple steps.

By Burt Rutherford

Ialways laugh and say my nutrition knowledge just involves that I know skinny cows don’t breed. So don’t give me a skinny cow and expect her to get pregnant.”

While Todd Bilby, Ph.D., might not be a nutritionist, he does know quite a bit about how to get cows bred. And the main thing in that effort is nutrition.

“Make sure they have a good nutrition program, and that the animals are gaining weight going into the breeding season,” he said.

Bilby is part of the technical services team at Merck Animal Health. His specialty is helping beef producers gain maximum efficiency with their breeding program.

Year-round, proper nutrition and health protocols, not just prior to breeding season, ensures mature cows cycle again by 50 days after they calve and first-calf heifers by 70 days.

“Having a good vaccination program in place is always important,” Bilby said. “Deworm your animals so they can continue to gain body weight and sustain a calf, and so your heifer calves that are kept as replacements can start cycling sooner.”

Then, have a veterinarian do breeding soundness exams on the bulls to ensure fertility.

If the bulls aren’t purchased with a DNA test on file with their respective breed association, collecting one during the breeding soundness exam may benefit the rancher.

For registered bulls, breed associations offer tests for genomically enhance expected progeny differences, or EPDs, on birth weight, calving ease and stayability.

Similar testing is available for commercial bulls through independent labs, and the results offer insight on how sire genetics may enhance their daughters’ ability to breed back.

A cow needs to have around six calves to make it past the breakeven cost to develop her and retain in the herd.

Those are the fundamentals. Now, look at the advantages of moving the majority of cows and heifers into calving the first 21 days of the calving season, which is the average estrous cycle length of a cow.

Step one is having a defined breeding season, which means taking the bulls out at a defined time.

“If you currently don’t remove the bulls, possibly starting at 120 days to establish a defined breeding season length would be a place to start,” Bilby said.

Then, each year, a goal should be to reduce the breeding season length until you eventually can get to around 60-80 days. The shorter the better.

Photo by Kayla Jennings

If the calving window is long, there is potential to boost the bottom line by tightening up.

Here’s why. Let’s say the heavy end of a calf crop, steers born in the first 21 days of the calving season, wean at 600 pounds. The second set of steers, those born 21 to 42 days, weigh 550 pounds at weaning.

At $2 per pound, the early steers will fetch $1,200 per head gross, while the second string will bring $1,100 per head. At a $100-per-head difference, it makes sense to get as many calves born early as possible.

A fast, low-cost way to achieve that is to give cows and heifers a shot of prostaglandin five days after bulls are turned out, Bilby said.

The prostaglandin will initiate the cycling animals to show heat right away. With the majority of animals getting bred in the first cycle, the majority of calves will hit the ground in the first 21 days of the calving season.

That means bigger, heavier steers and replacement heifers at weaning. Steers will pound out more money, and heifers will have another month to mature and begin estrus the next breeding season, which increases their odds to stay in the herd longer.

Then, the process builds on itself, and the cow herd returns more to the operation’s bottom-line, he said.

Ranching

What’s more, Bilby mentioned there is no need to ramp up the bull battery with a synchronization program. “Your bull power stays the same.

If you’re doing a simple one shot of prostaglandin five days after bull turnout, those bulls can handle it.”

Taking the Next Step

Once the herd has adjusted to calve early, a producer may want to consider adding a timed artificial insemination program.

Consider starting with replacement heifers because they’re an easy group to manage, he recommended, plus they have the herd’s best genetics. Bred to the best bulls, reaching and maintaining genetic goals will be more efficient.

Bilby said: “Either way, whether you use synchronization and timed AI or a simple approach with just one estrus synchronization shot in your cows, choose one of those because that will help you get more calves on the ground sooner.” T C

Burt Rutherford, former senior editor of BEEF magazine, now owns Rangeview Strategies based in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. He authored this story on behalf of Merck Animal Health.

WHAT PLANT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER?

By Kent Ferguson

Rusty blackhaw can be found growing as an under-story shrub throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and the southeastern U.S.

While mostly found as a shrub or small tree in bottomlands, it can also be found in dryland soil. It is known by several other names, including Rusty Nannyberry, Downy viburnum, and Southern blackhaw.

The plant:

• Has gray to dark brown bark, tinged with red, that is a quarter to half-inch thick.

• Has leaves with a shiny, dark green upper surface, roughly 2 inches wide and 4 inches long, that are opposite or whorled, elliptic or oval, with pointed or blunt tips. Leaf edges will have fine, sharp teeth.

• Has leaves that are pale green on the bottom with red hairs on the veins. The species name rufidulum refers to the rufous-red hairs on the younger plant parts.

• Will have white flowers in the spring, sometimes confused with the flowering dogwood. The flowers are a quarter-inch across and arranged in flat-topped clusters that are 2 to 6 inches across.

• Has fruit formed from the flowers in oblong drooping clusters, up to a half-inch long. The fruit will change color over time, going from green to dark blue with a white, powdery texture.

Rusty blackhaw is desirable in landscaping due to its lustrous leaves and beautiful flowers. The plant attracts many pollinator species that seek out its flowers.

In the past, it has also been used for medicinal purposes. It is highly desirable browse for cattle and white-tailed deer; and the fruit is used by many song birds, wild turkey, qual and small animals. T C

Rusty blackhaw (Viburnum rufidlum)

Photo by Eric Beckers, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Kent Ferguson, a retired rangeland management specialist from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, provides plant identification photo stories to help ranchers

Ranching

BQA TIP: MINERALS MATTER

An adequate energy and protein intake is the most important nutritional factor for cattle health and performance. Next on the list: meeting mineral requirements.

Providing cattle access to a complete, balanced mineral supplement is an effective way to prevent deficiencies. A complete mineral supplement will contain macro-minerals, trace minerals, salt and some vitamins.

Loose mineral supplements and tubs are common, free-choice delivery methods. Be sure to check whether or not the tubs contain salt. If they do not, provide a source of white salt along with the tub.

Salt blocks contain a few minerals and are often not appropriate options to use independently. T C

At Cactus Feeders The Cattle Come First, and Our Cattle Feeding Customers are the Core of Our Business

Get to know the individuals who make Cactus Feeders a success.

Cactus Feedyard

Matthew Turney, Manager Cactus, TX office: (806) 966-5151

cell: (806) 282-7077

Centerfire Feedyard

Adam Gerrond, Manager

Ulysses, KS office: (620) 356-2010

cell: (806) 390-9034

Frontier Feedyard

Jon Vanwey, Manager Spearman, TX office: (806) 882-4251

(719) 251-2381

Stratford Feedyard Pistol Audrain, Manager Stratford, TX office: (806) 396-5501 cell: (806) 753-7133

At Cactus, our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) makes each employee an owner of the company. They think like owners and take care of the cattle like owners. That’s the secret to what has made Cactus Feeders a success, and that will continue to make us successful tomorrow.

Southwest Feedyard

Kacey Graham, Manager Hereford, TX office: (806) 364-0693 cell: (806) 316-8799

Hale Center Feedyard Rusty Jackson, Manager Hale Center, TX office: (806) 879-2104 cell: (806) 773-9457

Ulysses

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Beyond Our Gates

DIRECT TO CONSUMERS

Meat processing plants grow with local consumer demand.

By Gail Ellis

As more consumers seek locally sourced products to connect with the land, many ranchers are stepping up to meet demand.

The market for direct-to-consumer beef has grown substantially during the past decade, sustaining the need for processing facilities. COVID-19 fueled even more business for processors, and Oklahoma’s regulatory agency took notice.

“In 2019, we had roughly 20 inspected plants across the state, and now we’re up over 30,” said Scott Yates, director of the food safety division at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. “We had 15 inspectors in 2019, and we just hired the 30th a few weeks ago.”

Educating ranchers and buyers

The industry is experiencing significant growth, but starting as early as the 1970s, processing plants were in decline in Oklahoma communities as people retired from the trade.

Children chose other career paths over the family business, and many facilities closed their doors for good, Yates said. Meat consumers began to connect with producers, but the custom processing business had its seasonal ebbs and flows.

However, the pandemic gave mom-and-pop facilities another chance. Joel Jackson, pilot plant manager at the Oklahoma State University Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center, said by May 2020, custom processing orders were through the roof.

“In April and May of 2020, when the big plants started shutting down, you couldn’t walk into a grocery store and get what you wanted,” he said. “If you didn’t have a freezer full of meat, that made people nervous.”

Processors were quickly booked through the end of the year into 2021 and even 2022. By the end of 2020, cancelations began popping up, but Jackson said the overall panic of a tight meat supply changed consumers’ habits.

“People who had never had an animal processed before asked producers if they could buy one,” he said. “For first timers, it led to a big learning curve and an opportunity for education by producers and processors.”

Jackson wrote an Oklahoma State University Extension fact sheet detailing the basics of animal processing, including why a 1,000-pound steer will not produce 1,000 pounds of meat, how to select cutting instructions and what cuts are available. The information is not only valuable to the buyer, but also to those ranchers who might be new to custom processing.

“If you’re going to sell beef, you should be familiar with what to expect on a side, quarter or whole animal in terms of yield,” Jackson said. “You’re going to get asked all those questions. Most people aren’t going to pay $1,000 to $3,000 if they don’t know what they’re going to get.”

Jackson and his colleagues have offered learning opportunities for producers interested in direct-to-

Consumers purchasing beef directly from ranchers can custom order cuts at the processing plant to fill home freezers with product not intended for individual sale.

Photo by Mitchell Alcala, Oklahoma State University.

consumer meat sales. Ranchers learned about the regulatory aspects of the business, including what type of processor is required for each type of sale.

“If you want to keep it simple, pre-selling your livestock is the best option,” Jackson said. “Custom exempt processing removes the need for inspection, permits and even label approvals. It’s just like you’re selling a live animal to a neighbor or family member, and it can be processed at a local custom plant.”

The workshops also covered state and federal meat inspections, proper permitting, labeling and other associated regulations.

“If you’re storing inspected meats that will enter into commerce, you’ll need to register with the state,” Jackson said.

An economic force

Although custom processing has returned to preCOVID numbers, Yates said interest in processing facilities continues to climb, especially in the eastern half of the state. The Coronovirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and other economic grants that stemmed from the pandemic gave meat processors the cash they needed to build from scratch or expand.

“We’re still getting calls from folks who are wanting to build plants,” he said. “We’ve got people building or getting their Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point plans ready for inspection, and some facilities are transitioning from state inspected to federal, so they can ship to other states.”

Yates said the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry has a working relationship with USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Custom processing plants selling freezer beef not packaged for individual sale only require quarterly inspections, but those used to process meat marketed individually are regularly inspected on days when processing occurs.

Plants in Oklahoma with a Talmadge-Aiken federal classification can export overseas and are inspected by regulatory officials familiar with the community.

“It’s a good thing we’re getting back to more local processors,” Yates said. “It’s good for small-town economies. Most of our establishments have anywhere from five to 10 or 25 to 30 employees.”

New opportunities

Outwest Farms, near Cleveland, Oklahoma, is one of the many value-added farming and ranching operations contributing to this growing niche market.

When 32-year-old Jake Miller finished his bachelor’s degree a few years ago, he wanted to find a job and stay in Oklahoma. His family had always raised cattle as a food source for themselves, but Miller saw potential in a different group of customers.

“You can buy a whole or half beef pretty much everywhere, but I had not seen a lot of people sell by the pound,” he said. “A lot of families don’t have freezer space for a whole animal and selling it by the pound gives them a chance to buy local.”

Miller, his parents and his two siblings established Outwest Farms and processed their first animals at an Oklahoma-based federal facility in 2018. Building the business took time, but it quickly expanded after the pandemic forced the family to shift their marketing efforts.

“In 2021, we did a complete rebuild of our customer base and moved from mainly focusing on Facebook to Instagram and Google ads,” Miller said.

With the help of a couple of employees, Outwest Farms offers beef, pork, lamb and chicken with free home delivery in the Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Stillwater areas. Because it uses a federal processing facility, the farm can also ship out of state. Miller said the biggest hurdle now is competing with national distributors.

“The main thing all customers want is a connection to where their food comes from,” he said. “They need to know you exist .” T C

Average Yield Examples

A 1,200-pound, grain-fed steer should result in a roughly 756-pound carcass, after assuming 60 to 63% dressing percentage.

Aging 14 days results in a 710-pound carcass ready to cut; with approximately 6% shrink.

Depending on how fat the animal was and the percentage of bone-in and boneless cuts, a customer can expect to yield 50 to 65% of the 710-pound aged carcass or 355 to 460 pounds of finished product.

A 600-pound calf should result in a roughly 330-pound

carcass, accounting for about 55% dressing percentage. Aging 14 days results in a 307-pound carcass; 7% shrink.

Since younger cattle will likely not have as much fat as an older animal, one can expect a higher moisture loss and increased trimming.

Depending on the percentage of bone-in and boneless cuts, one can expect to yield 45 to 60% of the aged carcass or 140 to 185 pounds of finished product. This is often a result of less muscle in relation to the skeleton.

Source: Oklahoma State University Extension, Sept. 2022

Gail Ellis is a communications specialist at Oklahoma State University.

A PLACE FOR EVERYONE

TSCRA Director Mark Jones relays the value of association membership for all cattle raisers and landowners, big and small.

By Laurie Martin

In the self-proclaimed Heart of Texas, with mouthwatering BBQ and breathtaking scenery, Mark Jones lives on his family’s Jones North Ranch, located roughly 25 miles north of Brady.

Besides co-owning the century-old ranch with his brother, Jones has been involved in the banking industry most of his life. He served as president of the First State Bank in Menard; president of the Eden State Bank; and vice president, branch manager of the Central Texas Farm Credit in Early.

After retiring, he and his wife, Connie, relocated to the ranch, enjoying the slower-paced lifestyle found on the remote property.

“It’s way of life that most people don’t understand,” Jones says. “It’s a love of the land, love of cattle and wildlife, and not having that day-to-day grind of the city. It’s been an adjustment to not have the conveniences, but we’ve enjoyed it.”

Since becoming a Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association director in 2001, he has served on the natural resources and wildlife committee, and property rights and tax committee.

“We’ve been coming to the convention for 30-plus years,” Jones says. “I was one of the first participants in the Young Cattlemen’s Conference program. We traveled around to Denver, Chicago and Sioux City. I learned a lot and met interesting people. Since then, TSCRA has been a mainstay for us.”

As a director and a banker, he would always try to promote the association.

Jones says he developed strong relationships with his agriculture customers, because he was able to relate to

the ups and downs of owning an agriculture business. When some of his customers might question their place in Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, he would try to set them straight.

“TCSRA is for everybody,” Jones says. “Even if you don’t own cattle, but you own a barn or equipment, you’ve got somebody you can call other than your local sheriff. That’s important. The special rangers will be on it in a heartbeat.”

The value of law enforcement and political representation is incomparable. Jones says the network of people means you always have someone watching your back and fighting battles for you, locally and nationally.

Jones, whose father served as the association president from 1992 to 1994, is proud of a history of family engagement. He finds it important to get involved, especially for the younger generation like his son, who has been attending the convention with Jones for many years and has recently joined a policy committee.

“My advice to him was to just get involved,” Jones says. “Come to meetings. Come to conventions. Just be a part of the family, and you’ll enjoy it. You don’t have to be everything to everybody. You can do what you want to do, and that’s because there is plenty to be involved in.”

As he reflects on the years past, Jones says he also looks forward to the future of Jones North Ranch. He says he and his brother are fortunate that their kids are not only interested in the ranch but want to continue the family legacy — cattle, wildlife, land and Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. T C

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ARTHUR G. UHL 111 President

4040 Broadway St., Ste. 430 San Antonio, Texas 78209

PAST PRESIDENTS

John M. “Jack” Shelton III Amarillo, 1984-1986

James L. Powell San Angelo, 1988-1990

Tom Beard Alpine, 1994-1995

C. Coney Burgess Amarillo, 1997-1999

J. Mark McLaughlin San Angelo, 1999-2001

John E. Dudley Comanche, 2001-2003

Bob McCan Victoria, 2003-2005

C.R. “Dick” Sherron Beaumont, 2005-2007

Jon Means Van Horn, 2007-2009

Dave Scott Richmond, 2009-2011

Joe J. Parker Byers, 2011-2013

CARL RAY POLK JR. First Vice President P.O. Box 155108 Lufkin, Texas 75915

Pete Bonds Saginaw, 2013-2016

Richard Thorpe lll Winters, 2016-2018

Robert E. McKnight Jr. Fort Davis, 2018-2020

G. Hughes Abell Austin, 2020-2022

HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTS

Jack Hunt San Juan Capistrano, California

Richard Wortham Austin

EXECUTIVE STAFF

HEADQUARTERS

P.O. Box 101988 Fort Worth, Texas 76185 817-332-7064 • 800-242-7820

Jason Skaggs Executive Vice President/ Chief Executive Officer

Jaclyn Roberts Parrish Executive Director, Communications & Marketing

STEPHEN DIEBEL Second Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer 3907 Salem Rd. Victoria, Texas 77904

Emily Lochner

Executive Director, Engagement & Education

Grace Dunham

Executive Director, Events & Partnerships

Megan Wills

Executive Director, Finance & Human Resources

Michele Woodham Executive Director, Insurance Services

Scott Williamson

Executive Director, Law Enforcement, Brand & Inspection Services

Lisa Walker

Executive Director, Membership & Operations

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

919 Congress Ave., Suite 750 Austin, Texas 78701

Melissa Hamilton Executive Director, Government Relations

REGION 1 DIRECTORS

Joe M. “Jody” Bellah, Throckmorton

Blake Birdwell, Canyon

E. S. F. “Swasey” Brainard II, Pampa

J. K. “Rooter” Brite Jr., Bowie

Donnell Brown, Throckmorton

Campbell Burgess, Amarillo

Deborah Clark, Henrietta

Lynn Cowden, Skellytown

J. B. Daniel, Crowell

James Henderson, Memphis

Clayton Henry, Wichita Falls

Brooks Hodges, Guthrie

Joe Leathers, Guthrie

Frank McLelland, Tahoka

Jeff Mitchell, Amarillo

Gage Moorhouse, Benjamin

Diaz W. Murray, Wichita Falls

J. Malcolm Shelton IV, Amarillo

Dale A. Smith, Amarillo

Jim Thompson, Breckenridge

Tom Watson, Muleshoe

Wesley Welch, Lubbock

HONORARY DIRECTORS

William L. “Buck” Arrington, Pampa

Van Baize, Nocona

Emry Birdwell Jr., Henrietta

Mary Lou Bradley-Henderson, Childress

R. A. “Rob” Brown Jr., Throckmorton

J. D. Cage, Muleshoe

Mike Gibson, Paducah

Ronald J. “Ron” Gill, Chico

Robert B. Mansfield, Amarillo

Tom Moorhouse, Benjamin

Boots O’Neal, Guthrie

James Palmer, Roaring Springs

Wilson Scaling, Henrietta

Chris Scharbauer, Amarillo

John Welch, Wolfforth

A. B. “Buck” Wharton III, Vernon

Tom Woodward, Decatur

REGION 2 DIRECTORS

Kevin Busher, Winters

Charles M. “Charley” Christensen Jr., San Angelo

C.A. “Chili” Cole IV, San Angelo

Alan F. Curry, San Angelo

James H. Dudley IV, Horseshoe Bay

Amanda Dyer, Fort Davis

Johnny Ferguson, Big Lake

D.A. “Day” Harral, Fort Stockton

Ron Helm, Van Horn

Heath Hemphill, Coleman

Shelby W. Horn, Fredericksburg

Larry R. Horwood, Sterling City

Grant Jones, Rochelle

Mark W. Jones, Brady

W. Clay Jones, Brady

Ty Keeling, Boerne

Lorenzo Lasater, San Angelo

Brian T. McLaughlin, Midland

David L. Neal, San Angelo

Gerald Nobles Jr., Brady

James Oliver, Ozona

Wade Perks, San Angelo

Jessica Tate, Marfa

James Uhl, Fort McKavett

Cody Webb, Barnhart

Ken Welch, Baird

Ray W. Willoughby III, Eldorado

HONORARY DIRECTORS

C. A. “Chip” Cole III, San Angelo

William C. “Billito” Donnell Jr., Alpine

Richard Gates, Marfa

W. H. “Billy” Green III, Albany

Rafe Hargrove, Rotan

Dr. Joe Pat Hemphill, Coleman

Ken Jordan, San Saba

Don Keeling, Fredericksburg

Chris Lacy, Fort Davis

Laurence M. Lasater, San Angelo

Ben Love, Marathon

Len P. Mertz, San Angelo

Tom Perini, Buffalo Gap

Bill Phinizy, Gail

Frank Price, Sterling City

Gordon E. Sauer, Fredericksburg

Danny B. Stewart, Sterling City

Rick Tate, Marfa

Cliff Teinert, Albany

Dennis W. Webb, Barnhart

W. C. “Billy” Williams, Mertzon

REGION 3 DIRECTORS

Ford Drummond, Pawhuska, Oklahoma

HONORARY DIRECTORS

Les Nunn, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

REGION 4 DIRECTORS

Edward Bordovsky Jr., Riviera

Austin Brown III, Beeville

W. Christopher Bush, Refugio

James Clement lll, Kingsville

David S. Crow, Corpus Christi

Dustin Dean, Floresville

David DeLaney, Kingsville

Robert “Bobby” Dobson, Birmingham, Alabama

James L. “Jamie” Donnell Jr., Fowlerton

J. David Eppright, Cost

Benjamin Eshleman III, Corpus Christi

Joseph B.C. Fitzsimons, Carrizo Springs

Cody Fry, Lueders

Jim L. Gates, Pearsall

Milton S. Greeson Jr., Victoria

Bret Griffith, Del Rio

Heath Grigg, Kingsville

Marty R. Harris, Tilden

Leslie Kinsel, Cotulla

Claude Koontz, San Antonio

Steven J. Mafrige, Tilden

Beth Knolle Naiser, Sandia

Federico Nieto, Raymondville

T. Michael O’Connor, Victoria

Jason Peeler, Floresville

J.R. Ramirez, La Pryor

Gilly Riojas, Corpus Christi

M. Stuart Sasser, Corpus Christi

Lew Thompson, Pearsall

Gene S. “Primo” Walker Jr., Mirando City

C. Clark Welder, Beeville

John Zacek, Victoria

HONORARY DIRECTORS

Steve G. Beever, Pearsall

Richard H. Bennett, San Antonio

Chip Briscoe, Carrizo Springs

Martin W. Clement II, Kingsville

Thurman S. Clements Jr., Victoria

Nixon Dillard, Pleasanton

Trainor Evans, Mercedes

Thomas J. “Tommy” Haegelin, Concan

Dr. Philip C. Hardee, Beatrice, Alabama

Allen C. “Dick” Jones IV, Corpus Christi

David W. Killam, Laredo

Dan W. Kinsel III, Cotulla

Steve C. Lewis, San Antonio

Jim McAdams, Seguin

James A. McAllen, Linn

Tim Pennell, Westhoff

Jim Peters, Quemado

Scott Petty Jr., San Antonio

Tom Risinger, Weslaco

Frates Seeligson Jr., San Antonio

Richard Traylor, Batesville

Roger F. Welder, Victoria

David W. Winters, Del Rio

REGION 5 DIRECTORS

Bill Cawley, Crockett

Wayne Cockrell, College Station

Herff Cornelius Jr., Wadsworth

Carlos Detering III, Houston

Dr. Lewis (Bud) Dinges, Richmond

Gardner H. Dudley, Houston

Jay C. Evans, Dripping Springs

Lloyd French IV, Houston

Dan Gattis, Georgetown

Kelley Sullivan Georgiades, College Station

George Harrison, Bay City

Tom J. Haynie, Navasota

Robert Hodgen, Houston

Colt Hoffman, Marlin

Clay Kenley, Crockett

Gary Price, Blooming Grove

Clive Runnells III, Austin

John Sumner Runnells III, Bay City

Tony Spears, Rosanky

John “Rocky” Sullivan, Galveston

Bill White, Stowell

Claudia Scott Wright, Richmond

HONORARY DIRECTORS

Leroy Ezer, Anahuac

Frank Green, Liberty

Coleman H. Locke, Hungerford

Katharine Armstrong Love, Austin

Richard M. Lucas Jr., Houston

William “Alan” McNeill, Beaumont

Evalyn Moore, Richmond

Raymond E. Moore IV, Richmond

Rick Peebles, Baytown

Gordon Richardson, Caldwell

Charles R. “Butch” Robinson, Navasota

Nolan Ryan, Round Rock

Ed Small, Austin

Guy F. Stovall Jr., El Campo

Gerald Sullivan, Galveston

John L. Sullivan, Galveston

Robert J. Underbrink, Houston

Beau Brite White, Rosanky

Dr. M. R. “Mike” Wirtz, Brenham

REGION 6 DIRECTORS

April Bonds, Saginaw

Missy Bonds, Saginaw

John L. Cantrell, Cresson

Ian Chapman, Madill, Oklahoma

Hunter Crow, Dallas

James T. Dangelmayr, Muenster

Seth Denbow, Weatherford

Crawford Edwards, Fort Worth

John Greer, Henrietta

Jason Harlow, Dallas

Pete Hudgins, Sherman

Tom Johnson, Wortham

John Z. Kimberlin Jr., Dallas

Ken Leiber, Fort Worth

Stefan Marchman, Fort Worth

William H. McCall, Fort Worth

Dan Nance, Haslet

Susan Roach, Fort Worth

Stephen S. “Steve” Sikes, Fort Worth

Bragg Smith III, Dallas

Curtis Younts Jr., Belton

HONORARY DIRECTORS

Bradford S. “Brad” Barnes, Fort Worth

George Beggs IV, Fort Worth

John W. Carpenter III, Dallas

Barrett D. Clark, Breckenridge

Markham B. Dossett, Waco

Bob Drake, Davis, Oklahoma

James H. “Jim” Dudley, Comanche

James E. “Jim” Link, Crowley

Jon David Mayfield, Dublin

C. H. “Terry” McCall, Comanche

Bob Moorhouse, Weatherford

Russell “Rusty” Noble, Ardmore, Oklahoma

Mary Joe Reynolds-Montgomery, Fort Worth

Tom L. Roach III, Bozeman, Montana

Stephen T. “Steve” Swenson, Dallas

Bart Wulff, Dallas

REGIONS & DISTRICTS

TSCRA Special Rangers

New Members

2R Creek Farms

Gause

4M Ranch

Kilgore

4J Cattle

Amarillo

4W Trust

Grapeland

5P Ranch Kaufman

7 Bar 7 LLC

McKinney

7C Farm Whitehouse

9W Ranch

Carlsbad, New Mexico

A-J Cattle Co.

Troup

Bryan Aaron

Crockett

Savannah Allen

College Station

Lauren Allison

San Angelo

ALS Livestock

Amarillo

Jennifer Anderson

Tyler

Bbad Z Ranch

Keller

BDogg Ranch

Springtown

Bearly A Ranch

Grapeland

Blazer Land & Cattle

Houston

Kyndal Bohnert

Anderson

Daniel Boone

Lindale

Bootstrap Ranch LLC

Fort Worth

Whitney Bosch

Dallas

Sydney Bowman

Lubbock

BP Ranch China

Brackens 3B Ranch

Fairfield

Britton Strategies LLC

San Antonio

Brookshore Farm

Bullard

Built on Faith Cattle Co.

Brenham

J. Burt

Valley Mills

C2 Texas Wagyu

Kingsbury

Carson Ranch

Apple Springs

Jacey Catney

Lubbock

CC Diamond Bat LLC

Colleyville

Charanza Ranch

Brewster, New York

Clark Place

Mineola

Mackenzie Cloud

Breckenridge

Cochins View Ranch

Kennard

Charles Cooke

Lubbock

Anna Cox

College Station

Carmen Cozart

Abernathy

Cranford Ranch

Tolar

JD Cravens

Denison

Cross C Cattle

Natchitoches, Louisiana

Currie Ranches

Crockett

D&N Ranch

Kosse

Davis Farms

San Antonio

Diamond P Ranch

Tyler

Double Nickel Ranch

Mount Enterprise

Cheyene Durheim

Spring

Bridger Ethridge

Nacogdoches

EZ Acres

Abilene

Fayette St. Associates

Lindale

Gillian Fell

Benkelman, Nebraska

Felts Farms

Hemphill

Jacquelyn Finney

Cuero

Flat Broke Ranch

Heath

Fleming Ranch

Granbury

Eric Flores

Lubbock

Flying 33 Ranch

Gainesville

Bruce Fortenberry

Woodville

Four C Farm

Lindale

Fowler Family Ranch

Hempstead

Mike Freeman

Houston

Mandi Froid

Graford

G&J Santo Farm LP

Fort Worth

Sarah Garbacik

Sadle

Roger Garza

Leesville

Bailey Gilleland

Van

Glasgow Land & Cattle

Lindale

Kaycie Grams

Laneville

Grubbs Cattle

Granbury

Lauren Hagerman

Liberty Hill

Half Circle C Ranch

Argyle

Hammond Ranch

Sweeny

Katherine Hand

Henrietta

James Hargis

Lewisville

Butch Hart

Hull

Heart X Ranch

Overton

Ahmari Henry

Lubbock

Hegar Farms

Troup

Hidden Creek Cattle Ranch

Lindale

Erica Hinojosa

Missouri City

Anna Hiser College Station

Kira Hobbs

Rochelle

Zachary Hoelscher

Lorena

Rollins Hortenstine

Dallas

HTP Farms

Shallowater

Irvine Farm

Barry

Jackson Family Quitman

Kaylin Jacobs

Brenham

Jeffreys Family

Amarillo

Johnson Farm

Murchison

Katie Jouett

Terrell

George A. Juarez

Laredo

Collin Kanaman

Campbell

Kickapoo Ranch

Groceton

Kidd Ranch

Mason

Tucker King

Cypress

Klanika Farms

Coupland

Steve Kuhn Wharton

John Landis Kountze

Landrum Family Farms

Cookville

Lazy Hill Ranch Houston

Lazy J Groveton

LC & HR Wright Ranch Ltd. Castroville

Michael Lee Spring

Dare Lovett IV Stillwater, Oklahoma

Madewell Cattle

Lindale

Malone Ranch

Spring

Dakota Manaseri

Itasca

Matador Ranch LLC

Matador

Maxgray Productions Inc.

Spring

McFarland Inv. Inc./Rocking MC Ranch

New London

Don McLaughlin

Uvalde

Menconi Farm La Grange

Diann Merriman

Arlington

Mitchell Cattle Co.

Tyler

MN Brangus

Richmond

Montgomery Farm Whitehouse

Barbara Hawes Morris Wharton

New Members

Moss Lake Ranch LLC

White Oak

Wyatt Mullen Nollenville

Stephen Nelson

Post

Nicholas Ranch Lindale

North Fork Farm & Ranch Altus, Oklahoma

Michael Nunez San Antonio

Raegan Orsak College Station

Owen Ranch Cleburne

Daniel Pague Celina

Sam Parker College Station

Steele Parks

Houston

Pel Agro LLC Encino

Petzold Farms Granite, Oklahoma

Daryl Phelps

Beaumont

Charles David Pitman

Scotland

Polk Family Hico

Post Oak Farms Inc. Beaumont

Power Cattle Proctor

Nerren Pratt

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Bill Price Lindale

Pruski Farms Adkins

R Squared

Dallas

Rafter C Ranch

Lovelady

Rafter JR3 Ranches

Montgomery

New Members

Rafter M Cattle

Spring

Reed Ranch

Llano

Regen Ranch

Oakwood

Beatriz Reis

Lubbock

RiBear Cattle Co.

Temple

Riley Ranch

Beaumont

Trevor Riley

Broaddus

Rio Vista Ranch

Pasadena

Olivia Ringo

Canyon

Rising Son Ranch LLC

Dallas

Levi Risner

Willis

RLS Farm

Garrison

Addison Roach

Iowa Park

Blaine Roberts

Abilene

Rockin’ Bar A Family

Copperas Cove

Rocking A Ranch

Odessa

Rocking T Family Ranch

Schulenburg

Rose Cattle

Azle

Madison Rose

El Campo

RTM Beefmasters

Hempstead

Amanda Ruscitti

Lubbock

Rusty Spur Ranch

Grapeland

Soraya Sanchez

Amarillo

Sandy Pines Ranch

Henrietta

Santos Patronos LLC

McAllen

Leverance Scott

Tyler

Aaron Senties

Moore

Seven Trails Ranch

Ravenna

Shelby Simank

Chillicothe

Mel & Susan Skaggs

Bartonville

Skylar Smith

Marshall

Cade Snethen

Wolfforth

Sobba Public LLC

Houston

Southern Sky Cattle Co.

Mabank

Allyson Spears

Bryan

Stephanie Starks

Woodway

Starns Ranch

Lovelady

Stillmeadow Farm

Jacksonville

Stokes Ranch

Crockett

Patrick Stokey

Jacksboro

Stovall Fertilizer Service

Tyler

Summerland LLC

North Zulch

Sweet T Cattle Co.

Bryan

TCM Cattle Co.

Waxahachie

Teel Cattle Co

Kountze

Texarkana Cattle Co.

Texarkana

Leslie Thompson

Lubbock

Thorn Creek Ranch

League City

Three Pines Ranch

McKinney

Turkey Creek Cattle Co.

Anderson

Turner Performance Horses LLC

East Helena, Montana

U Ranch

Sterling City

Roy Upshaw

Fort Worth

Walters Farm & Ranch LLC

Sour Lake

Waters Cattle

Waurika, Oklahoma

Watson Farms LLC

Fort Worth

WEJ Ranch

Briarcliff

Sheldon Wellborn

Walnut Springs

Brandon West

Tyler

Kendall Whatley

Stephenville

Carolyn Wilkins

Lubbock

John Williams

Palmer

Wills Point Land & Cattle Co.

Wills Point

Caroline Wiseman

Madisonville

Yoder Ranch

Lawn

Auction Markets & Market Inspectors

ANDERSON

Elkhart Horse Auction

Where: Elkhart

Phone: 903-764-1495

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Tiffany Patterson, 903-388-7288

ATASCOSA

Atascosa Livestock Exchange

Where: Pleasanton

Phone: 830-281-2516

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Marvin Bendele, 210-213-5890

AUSTIN

Four County Auction

Where: Industry

Phone: 979-357-2545

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Lisa Sebastian, 979-270-3041

BAILEY

Muleshoe Livestock Auction

Where: Muleshoe

Phone: 806-272-4201

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Leo Aviles, 956-437-3899

BEE

Beeville Livestock Comm.

Where: Beeville

Phone: 361-358-1727

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Robert Bridge, 361-542-6693

BOSQUE

Meridian L/S Comm. Co.

Where: Meridian

Phone: 254-435-2988

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Larry Brown, 254-265-1920

Clifton Livestock Comm. LLC

Where: Clifton

Phone: 254-675-7717

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Larry Brown, 254-265-1920

BOWIE

J & J Livestock Auction

Where: Texarkana

Phone: 903-832-3576

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Cheri Beal, 903-280-4554

BRAZOS

Brazos Valley Livestock Comm.

Where: Bryan

Phone: 979-778-0904

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Nina Nygard, 512-281-6753

BURLESON

Caldwell Livestock Comm.

Where: Caldwell

Phone: 979-567-4119

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Mark Nygard, 512-281-6330

CALDWELL

Lockhart Auction

Where: Lockhart

Phone: 512-398-3476

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Nina Nygard, 512-281-6753

CAMP

Bruce Overstreet Livestock

Where: Pittsburg

Phone: 903-856-3440

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Michelle Willeford, 903-767-0670

CHEROKEE

Tri County Livestock Market

Where: New Summerfield

Phone: 903-726-3291

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Brad Dominy, 903-394-4046

COLEMAN

Coleman Livestock Auction

Where: Coleman

Phone: 325-625-4191

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Dave Williams, 325-669-2030

COLORADO

Cattleman’s Columbus Livestock Auction

Where: Columbus

Phone: 979-732-2622

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Lisa Sebastian, 979-270-1228

COMANCHE

Comanche Livestock Exchange

Where: Comanche

Phone: 325-356-5231

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Michael Davis, 254-879-3121

COOKE

The New Gainesville Livestock Auction

Where: Gainesville

Phone: 940-665-4367

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Robin Gibbs, 903-227-0791

CORYELL

Coryell County Comm.

Where: Gatesville

Phone: 254-865-9121

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Ray Davis, 254-718-5512

DALLAM

Cattleman’s Livestock Comm.

Where: Dalhart

Phone: 806-249-5505

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Clifton Miller, 806-570-7439

DEAF SMITH

Hereford Livestock Auction

Where: Hereford

Phone: 806-240-3082

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Joe Bob Via, 806-452-9280

DEWITT

Cuero Livestock Comm.

Where: Cuero

Phone: 361-275-2329

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Kaylee Malatek, 979-942-0323

EASTLAND

Texas Cattle Exchange

Where: Eastland

Phone: 254-629-2288

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Ronnie Ober, 817-371-7071

ERATH

Dublin Livestock Auction

Where: Dublin

Phone: 254-445-1734

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Ronnie Ober, 817-371-7071

Erath County Dairy Sale

Where: Dublin

Phone: 254-968-7253

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Bob McBryde, 940-859-6217

Stephenville Cattle Co.

Where: Stephenville

Phone: 254-968-4844

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Bob McBryde, 940-859-6217

FAYETTE

Flatonia Livestock Comm.

Where: Flatonia

Phone: 361-865-3538

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Danielle Robbins, 512-944-0383

Schulenburg Livestock Auction

Where: Schulenburg

Phone: 979-743-6566

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Vance Weltner, 210-473-9099

Auction Markets & Market Inspectors

FLOYD

Floydada Livestock Sales

Where: Floydada

Phone: 806-983-2153

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: JE Stone, 806-777-4396

FRIO

Pearsall Livestock Auction

Where: Pearsall

Phone: 830-334-3653

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Clarence Stevens, 210-415-0441

GILLESPIE

Gillespie Livestock Co.

Where: Fredericksburg

Phone: 830-997-4394

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Jeff Burkes, 575-602-2280

GONZALES

Gonzales Livestock Market

Where: Gonzales

Phone: 830-672-2845

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Derek Bettis, 979-743-9699

Nixon Livestock Comm.

Where: Nixon

Phone: 830-582-1561

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Cade Burks, 830-391-4501

GREGG

Longview Livestock

Where: Longview

Phone: 903-235-6385

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Paul Pruitt, 903-725-6200

GRIMES

Mid-Tex Livestock Auction

Where: Anderson

Phone: 936-825-3970

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Danielle Robbins, 512-944-0383

Navasota Livestock Auction

Where: Navasota

Phone: 936-825-6545

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Rick Faught, 936-442-1039

GUADALUPE

Seguin Cattle Co.

Where: Seguin

Phone: 830-379-9955

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Cade Burks, 830-391-4501

HAMILTON

Hamilton Livestock Comm.

Where: Hamilton

Phone: 254-386-3185

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Bob McBryde, 940-859-6217

HARDIN

Gore Family Auction Center

Where: Silsbee

Phone: 409-782-0612

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Christy McCoy, 409-782-0612

HENDERSON

Athens Comm. Co.

Where: Athens

Phone: 903-675-3333

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Brandy Baughman, 903-440-4382

HIDALGO

Edinburg Livestock Auction

Where: Edinburg

Phone: 956-383-5671

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Coney Alvarez Jr., 956-437-3899

HILL

Hubbard Livestock Market

Where: Hubbard

Phone: 254-576-2584

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Bob McBryde, 940-859-6217

HOPKINS

Sulphur Springs Livestock Comm.

Where: Sulphur Springs

Phone: 903-885-2455

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Paul Pruitt, 903-725-6200

HOUSTON

East Texas Livestock Auction

Where: Crockett

Phone: 936-544-2246

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Cheyenne London, 936-222-3689

HOWARD

Big Spring Livestock Auction

Where: Big Spring

Phone: 432-267-5881

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Bruce Brandenberger, 254-977-5763

JACKSON

Edna Livestock Auction

Where: Edna

Phone: 361-782-7666

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Galynn Mazoch, 979-578-1823

JASPER

Kirbyville Auction Barn

Where: Kirbyville

Phone: 409-423-2612

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Casey Jones, 409-423-0685

JIM WELLS

Gulf Coast Livestock Market

Where: Alice

Phone: 361-664-4395

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Ramiro Garcia, 361-460-0008

JOHNSON

Johnson County Cattle Auction

Where: Cleburne

Phone: 817-556-9090

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Lee Snyder, 254-707-1682

KARNES

Karnes City Auction

Where: Karnes City

Phone: 830-780-3382

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Landyn Maguglin, 361-492-9484

Karnes County Livestock Exchange

Where: Kenedy

Phone: 830-583-2574

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Kaylee Malatek, 979-942-0323

LAMAR

Cattlemen’s Livestock Comm.

Where: Paris

Phone: 903-784-2238

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Lana Caldwell, 903-908-0530

Paris Livestock Auction

Where: Paris

Phone: 903-739-2575

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Robin Gibbs, 903-227-0791

LAMPASAS

Lampasas Cattle Auction

Where: Lampasas

Phone: 512-556-3611

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Ray Davis, 254-718-5512

LAVACA

Hallettsville Livestock Comm.

Where: Hallettsville

Phone: 361-798-4336

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Kaylee Malatek, 979-942-0323

Auction Markets & Market Inspectors

LEE

Giddings Livestock Comm.

Where: Giddings

Phone: 979-542-2274

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Nina Nygard, 512-281-6753

Lexington Livestock Comm.

Where: Lexington

Phone: 979-773-2922

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Nina Nygard, 512-281-6753

LEON

Buffalo Livestock Comm.

Where: Buffalo

Phone: 903-322-4940

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Tyler Rader, 713-907-2725

LIBERTY

Raywood Livestock Market

Where: Raywood

Phone: 936-587-4941

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Harvey Williamson, 963-334-5325

LIMESTONE

Groesbeck Auction & Livestock

Where: Groesbeck

Phone: 254-729-3277

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Tyler Rader, 713-907-2725

LIVE OAK

Live Oak Livestock Auction

Where: Three Rivers

Phone: 361-786-2553

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Marvin Bendele, 210-213-5890

MASON

Jordan Cattle Auction

Where: Mason

Phone: 325-347-6361

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Warren Ottmers, 830-669-2262

MCLENNAN

Waco Stockyards

Where: Waco

Phone: 254-753-3191

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Larry Brown, 254-265-1920

West Auction

Where: West

Phone: 254-826-3725

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Ray Davis, 254-718-5512

MEDINA

Union Comm.

Where: Hondo

Phone: 830-741-8061,

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Clarence Stevens, 210-415-0441

MILAM

Milam County Livestock Auction

Where: Cameron

Phone: 254-697-6697

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Rick Faught, 936-442-1039

NACOGDOCHES

Nacogdoches Livestock Exchange

Where: Nacogdoches

Phone: 936-564-8661

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Michael Witcher, 936-556-0992

NAVARRO

Corsicana Livestock Market

Where: Corsicana

Phone: 903-872-1631

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Tyler Rader, 713-907-2725

PANOLA

Panola Livestock

Where: Carthage

Phone: 903-693-6361

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Lori Blankenship, 936-234-3441

POLK

Livingston Livestock Exchange

Where: Livingston

Phone: 936-327-4917

Sale Day: Saturday

Contact: Harvey Williamson, 963-334-5325

POTTER

Lonestar Stockyards

Where: Amarillo Phone: 806-677-0777

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Michael Vessels, 806-517-3188

RAINS

Emory Livestock Auction

Where: Emory

Phone: 903-473-2512

Sale Days: Tuesday & Saturday

Contact: Brandy Baughman, 903-440-4382

ROBERTSON

Calvert Livestock Co.

Where: Calvert

Phone: 979-364-2829

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Ray Davis, 254-718-5512

RUSK

Hunt Livestock Exchange

Where: Henderson

Phone: 903-657-2690

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Samuel Steadman, 318-617-1141

SAN SABA

Jordan Cattle Auction

Where: San Saba

Phone: 325-372-5159

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: David Munden, 325-456-7253

SHELBY

Center Auction Co.

Where: Center

Phone: 936-598-4395

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Michael Witcher, 936-556-0992

STARR

Triple G Livestock Auction LLC

Where: Rio Grande City

Phone: 956-437-1988

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Coney Alvarez Jr., 956-437-3899

SWISHER

Tulia Livestock Auction

Where: Tulia

Phone: 806-995-4184

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Michael Vessels, 806-517-3188

TAYLOR

Abilene Auction

Where: Abilene

Phone: 325-673-7865

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Dave Williams, 325-669-2030

TITUS

Stone Livestock Comm.

Where: Mt. Pleasant

Phone: 903-575-9099

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Paul Pruitt, 903-725-6200

TOM GREEN

Producers Livestock Auction

Where: San Angelo

Phone: 325-653-3371

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Bruce Halfmann, 325-315-5972

UVALDE

Southwest Livestock Exchange

Where: Uvalde

Phone: 830-278-5621

Sale Day: Thursday

Contact: Clarence Stevens, 210-415-0441

“ WAX Genuine Marshall ryegrass is my choice of ryegrass…been planting ryegrass for more than 20 years for grazing and hay. Majority of the time I have used WAX Marshall, but also try some of the new ryegrasses to see how they compare to my standard… WAX Marshall… I am still a WAX Marshall ryegrass man!

This past year, I tried the “Generic Marshall” from my local co-op. In short, it did not come close to production or have the carrying capacity like WAX Marshall… it looked more like Gulf… it did not have the vigor and fast recovery like WAX Marshall.

Every year is different and full of unexpected surprises, but from all my years with WAX Marshall, I feel confident in the outcome. The “Generic” just did not produce. Planting 700 acres of ryegrass, I do not need any surprises for myself or my cattle.

There has only been one consistent ryegrass for me for over 20 years… WAX Marshall ryegrass.

If you want real Marshall ryegrass, make sure you ask for WAX Genuine Marshall… I do! ”

Auction Markets & Market Inspectors

VAN ZANDT

Mort Livestock Exchange

Where: Canton

Phone: 903-287-6386

Sale Day: Special Sales Only

Contact: Paul Pruitt, 903-725-6200

WASHINGTON

Brenham Livestock Auction

Where: Brenham

Phone: 979-836-3621

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Lisa Sebastian, 979-270-3041

WHARTON

El Campo Livestock Co.

Where: El Campo

Phone: 979-543-2703

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Galynn Mazoch, 979-578-1823

Wharton Livestock Auction

Where: Wharton

Phone: 979-532-3660

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: Galynn Mazoch, 979-578-1823

WICHITA

Wichita Livestock Sales

Where: Wichita Falls

Phone: 940-541-2222

Sale Day: Wednesday

Contact: R.C. Langford, 832-330-7279

WILBARGER

Vernon Livestock Market LLC

Where: Vernon

Phone: 940-552-6000

Sale Day: Tuesday

Contact: Hannah Ford, 903-706-8262

WISE

Decatur Livestock Market

Where: Decatur

Phone: 940-627-5599

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Rebecca Benson, 940-389-6382

WOOD

Winnsboro Livestock Auction

Where: Winnsboro

Phone: 903-365-2201

Sale Day: Friday

Contact: Alan Pruitt, 903-725-6200

YOUNG Graham Livestock Comm. LLC

Where: Graham

Phone: 940-549-0078

Sale Day: Monday

Contact: Kyla Rater, 940-284-9968

MOLECULAR TESTS

for tick-borne diseases such as Lyme, Theileria, and Babesia are also available. Call for more information.

To schedule or discuss your testing needs, contact MatMaCorp at: Phone : 402-742-0357

There's a new Moxi in town.

New Tauramox™ (moxidectin) Injectable Solution, the first generic Cydectin® (moxidectin) Injectable, runs gastrointestinal roundworms, lungworms, cattle grubs, mites and lice out of town. Expect the same weight gain advantage as with Cydectin® Injectable, but at a lower cost it’s called swagger. Get the moxi with moxie from your animal health provider. For more information, visit Norbrook.com.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

Cattle must not be slaughtered for human consumption within 21 days of treatment. This drug is not approved for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows. Use in these cattle may cause drug residues in milk and/or in calves born to these cows. A withdrawal period has not been established for preruminating calves. Do not use in calves to be processed for veal.

GKB

ROEDE R A NGU S R ANC H

Mike & Carla Bacica 11707 FM 2868 Flint, TX 75762

Mike: 903-520-0390

Registered Black Herefords bacicafarms.com

HOGUE

10108 CR 237 • Phone: 325-643-2225

Lesikar

mbpga@aol.com

Carla: 903-530-8551 wtnca@aol.com

Detering Red Brahmans

Beef Oriented Red Brahmans for the pasture and the show ring Liendo Plantation, 38653 Wyatt Chapel Rd. Hempstead, TX 77445 Will Detering, owner 281.989.8965

Web site: deteringredbrahmans.com

PARTI N & PARTI N H EART BAR RANC H

Janet, Steve and Carlton Partin 3159 FM 837 • Montalba, Texas 75853 903-549-3000 • partin.partin@aol.com

Quality Brahman Ca le Since 1936

Janet Partin: 903-922-3689 Carlton Partin: 407-709-0297 www.heartbarranch.com

Performance Beefmasters from the Founding Family 62nd Bull Sale: October 7, 2023

Lasater • San Angelo, TX 325.656.9126 • isabeefmasters.com

Private Treaty Females Semen & Embryos BEEFMASTERS Cullin Smith (409)779-9872

www.thicketycreekfarm.com

Visitors are always Welcome

Our 101st Year

5th Generation Sartwelle Brahman Ranch Ltd P O Box 27, Campbellton, Texas USA 78008

Sensibly Bred and Raised Brahman Cattle 979-877-4239

Sugie Sartwelle J. D. Sartwelle III 361-500-5792 Email: sartwellej@gmail.com

SATTERFIELD RANCH at LOST PRAIRIE LAKE • Palestine, Texas

SRegistered Gray Brahmans Dr. Scott & Nancy Satterfield 410 ACR 376 • Palestine, TX 75801 830-613-1492 www.satterfieldranch.com

ROLLING O FARMS

QUALITY CHAROLAIS BULLS & HEIFERS REGISTERED + GENTLE

D.P. OWEN + GROESBECK, TEXAS 254-729-8644

CHAROLAIS BULLS

One or a truckload - Give us a call SW&S Cattle Company

Don and Kathy Schill 903-388-1342 • Donie, Texas

T HOMAS CHAR O LAIS, INC . P.O. Box 595 • Raymondville, Texas 78580

Mitch Thomas: 956-535-0936

Tonnyre

Lee & Jacqui Haygood

923 Hillside Ave. Canadian, TX 79014 806-323-2906

lee@indianmoundranch.com www.indianmoundranch.com

NEEL POLLED HEREFORDS

Registered Polled Herefords & Black Baldies

FOR SALE

Contact: Nina Neel Sanders 214-454-8587 • Brady, TX

NOACK HEREF OR DS

“Quality Registered Herefords” Est.1921 – Bulls for sale at all times out of good milking cows

Office: 512-446-6200 Cell: 979-218-0065

Redbird

UNION CO., NM – This 1,966 +/- acre ranch located just south of Clayton, New Mexico is in some of the most sought-after grazing land in the Continental U.S.A. The ranch will be excellent for a yearling operation, with high quality grass, good fences and water.

GUADALUPE CO., NM – Enjoy ranch life on this 401.38 ac. ranch, 12 mi. W of Santa Rosa. Good location and access. One windmill, pipeline to four drinking troughs, comfortable rustic home, good fences, etc.

UNION CO., NM – 2,091.72 ac. (1,771.72 Deeded, 320 ac. -/+ State Lease), well watered w/three wells, two sets of steel pens. Well located just off of the Clayton/Springer hwy. on Barney Road.

PRICE REDUCED! DALLAM CO, TX – 1,216.63 ac. +/- of CRP/ranchland w/irrigation, re-development potential, wells & pipelines already in place.

Borchers Southern Y Ranches, L.P.

Charla Borchers-Leon • Mary Kay Borchers 2401 N. Wheeler St. • Victoria, Texas 77901 • 361-575-1297

BRIGGS RANCHES

P.O. Box 1417 Victoria, Texas 77902 361/573-7141

Mallett SIMMENTALS

Traylor Division San Roque DivisionSan Carlos Division Bloomington, TX Catarina, TXRio Grande City, TX

Joe Jones-Manager • 361/897-1337

20th Annual Bull Sale

Simmental & SimAngus

BULL SALE

YSanta Gertrudis • Braford F-1

Purebred • Star 5 • Crossbred Cattle Steven Boothe 361-575-1297 O • 361-571-9728 M Harris Riverbend Farms

Performance

Santa Gertrudis

P.O.Box 691 Cleburne, TX 76031

From The Home of “Reputation”

Black or Red Simbrah • SimAngus HT • SimAngus

ZFILEGONIA

641-4159 Office (817) 641-4771

SANTA GERTRUDIS CATTLE

Breeding Santa Gertrudis Since 1936

JOHN MARTIN RANCHES

Box 869, San Diego, Texas 78384 Ranch: 361-701-5683

C ATTLE C OMPAN Y Joe & Beth Mercer 327 CR 459, Lott, TX 76656 • H/O/Fax: 254-984-2225 bethmercer1974@gmail.com • www.filegoniacattle.com

March 7, 2024

March 8, 2012

Private Treaty Sales

San Saba, Texas

Mike Mallett

SANTA GERTRUDIS SIMMENTAL/ SIMBRAH TEXAS LONGHORN

Our cattle are perfomance tested.

10602 North Hwy. 281 • Lampasas, TX 76550

Mike and Connie Mallett • 512-556-1021

Home: 512-556-8548 • Cell: 512-556-1021

WAGYU

www.mallettsimmentals.com

Lampasas, Texas • mmcmallett@outlook.com

Stonewall Valley Ranch

ZRegisterd Texas Longhorn bulls, cows, heifers, roping steers, trophy steers, semen, mounts skulls for sale. Overnight accommodations available on the ranch.

www.stonewallvalleyranch.com

512-970-4676 (HORN) or 512-751-2386 (BEVO)

ǘN NuWAGYU.COM

614-778-2422

Upcoming Events MARK YOUR CALENDAR

OCTOBER

TUESDAY, OCT. 3

TSCRA Ranch Gathering

Where: The Rustic, Houston

When: 5:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 4

2023 Halfmann-Beckton Red Angus Sale

Where: Halfmann Land & Livestock, Miles

When: 1 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 5

Dudley Bros: 62nd Annual Bull Sale

Where: Comanche

When: 12 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 5 - FRIDAY, OCT. 6

King Ranch Institute: 20th Annual Ranch Management Symposium

Where: Kingsville & Online

SATURDAY, OCT. 7

Isa Beefmasters: 62nd Bull Sale

Where: San Angelo

When: 10 a.m.

Heart of Texas: Special Replacement Female Sale

Where: Groesbeck Auction & Livestock Co.

When: 12 p.m.

MONDAY, OCT. 9

Indian Mound Ranch: Annual Production Sale

Where: Canadian

When: 12:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCT. 10

Powell Herefords: 26th Annual Production Sale

Where: Fort McKavett

When: 12:30 p.m.

TSCRA Ranch Gathering

Where: R.A. Brown Ranch, Throckmorton

When: 5:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCT. 10 -

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 11

R.A. Brown Ranch: 49th Annual Oct. Sale

Where: Throckmorton

THURSDAY, OCT. 12

Special Bull Sale

Where: Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba

When: 10 a.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 14

Thomas Charolais: 22nd Annual Bull Sale

Where: Raymondville

When: 1 p.m.

MONDAY, OCT. 16

TSCRA Ranch Gathering

Where: First Financial Pavilion, San Angelo

When: 5:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCT. 17

Ranching 101: Predator Control

Where: Online

When: 1 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCT. 17 -

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18

Noble Research Institute: Essentials of Regenerative Ranching Course

Where: College Station

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 18

10 th Annual Hill County Youth Heifer Sale

Where: Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba When: 11 a.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 19 Special Bull Sale

Where: Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba When: 10 a.m.

FRIDAY, OCT. 20

W4 Ranch: Fall Production Sale

Where: Morgan When: 12:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 21

TSCRA Football Tailgate

Where: Tarleton, Stephenville

MONDAY, OCT. 23

White Hawk Ranch: Beef Maker Bull & Female Sale

Where: Buchanan, Georgia

When: 9 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 25

TSCRA Ranch Gathering

Where: Priefert, Mt. Pleasant

When: 5:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 26

Lone Star: Fall Bull & Female Sale

Where: Cooke County Fairgrounds, Gainesville

When: 12 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCT. 27

TSCRA Ranch Gathering

Where: Briggs Ranch, Victoria

When: 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 28

Fall “Best of the Best” Replacement Female Sale

Where: Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba When: 10 a.m.

44 Farms: Fall Bull Sale

Where: Cameron When: 10:30 a.m.

7P Ranch: 48th Annual Production Sale

Where: Winona When: 1 p.m.

South Texas Hereford Association: Fall Sale, featuring Case Ranch

Where: Beeville Livestock Comm., Beeville

When: 12 p.m.

TSCRA Football Tailgate

Where: Texas A&M University, College Station

TUE., OCT. 31 - WED., NOV. 1

Noble Research Institute: Essentials of Regenerative Ranching Course

Where: Ardmore, Oklahoma

NOVEMBER

FRIDAY, NOV. 3 - MONDAY, NOV. 6 National Angus Convention

Where: Orlando, Florida

TUE., NOV. 7 - WED., NOV. 8

Noble Research Institute: Essentials of Regenerative Ranching Course

Where: Kingsville

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 8

Barber Ranch: Annual Bull Sale

Where: Jordan Cattle Auction, San Saba

When: 11 a.m.

THURSDAY, NOV. 9

Adams Ranch: 45th Annual Bull & Heifer Sale

Where: Fort Pierce, Florida

Wichita Falls Luncheon

Where: McBride’s Steakhouse, Wichita Falls

When: 11:30 a.m.

TSCRA Ranch Gathering

Where: Fredericksburg

When: 5:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, NOV. 11

Arrowhead Ranch: 16th Annual Bull Sale

Where: Gonzales Livestock Market, Gonzales When: 11 a.m.

THURSDAY, NOV. 16

TSCRA Ranch Gathering

Where: Brenham

When: 5:30 p.m.

MONDAY, NOV. 20

Gardiner Angus Ranch: 21st Annual Profit Proven Commerical Female Sale

Where: Ashland, Kansas

TUESDAY, NOV. 21

Ranching 101: Optimizing Calf Health

Where: Online When: 1 p.m.

TUESDAY, NOV. 28

TSCRA Ranch Gathering

Where: San Antonio

When: 5:30 p.m.

OCTOBER 1923

Photographer Frank Reeves captured this scene on the Clyde Burnett Ranch in Knox County near Benjamin.

An article in this century-ago issue of The Cattleman reported that, at this time of year, grass cattle from the northwestern ranges are “moving to market more freely than a year ago.” They sold on average around 75 cents higher than the year prior in the river and Chicago markets. The article read: “The higher priced, western-grass steers promised ‘greater encouragement’ for the rancher.”