IN THIS ISSUE
American Products and Services for American Cattlemen
Vol. 45 • No. 11 • November 2018
COLUMNS
6
PUBLISHER STATEMENT
8
WHAT'S ON YOUR BREEDING SOUNDNESS EXAM CHECLIST?
It is easy to get caught up in the excitement and stress of breeding season. However, slowing down to take the extra steps beforehand can be paramount to avoid some major hiccups and disappointments down the road.
16
CONSIDER THE OPTION OF INDOOR HOUSING FOR YOUR CATTLE
REPLACEMENT HEIFERS 30 SELECTING Replacement heifers are the lifeblood of any cow-calf business as they have a direct influence on the quality and quantity of future calves sold for many years to come. Producers should be clear on their individual criteria involved in selecting which young females to bring into the breeding program, why those animals are chosen and what the desired end-product offspring will look like.
Years ago, when you drove down the country roads in your area, you would likely see a hip roofed barn on each property housing the standard handful of dairy cows, dozen or more hogs and the obligatory chicken coop. If there was a cow calf herd or group of grass cattle, they would be outdoors in a small corral.
SPONSORED FEATURES CATTLE AND LOVE 24 AOFLABOR 12 COWBOYS, THE COLORADO RIVER Modern day Lonesome Dove happens twice a year, just outside the quiet fishing town of Matagorda, Texas. Can you picture it? It is a sight straight out of the Old West, but with a 21st century spin; iPhones in the shirt pockets belonging to sweaty cowboys and motorboats assisting swimming calves.
PORTABLE CORRAL 20 RAWHIDE
John McDonald knows a thing or two about livestock equipment after working with cattle and rodeo livestock most of his life. Knowing there had to be a better portable corral design out there; he came up with it himself.
4
American
November 2018
Mention the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the name of Bob Tallman often comes up. After all, his deep, resonant voice is heard by more than 60 million people across the country each year as he announces the events at the top rodeos across the country.
26
UNDERSTANDING THE COSTS AND DANGERS OF BIRDS ON YOUR FEEDLOT
Birds in your feedlots can be costing you far more than you realize. Feedlots are ideal refuges for birds, especially in the winter months when alternate food sources are not available and natural roosting places are less hospitable.
www.americancattlemen.com
PUBLISHER STATEMENT
Season Changing As I look out the window on this dark, cool, and soggy day it would appear to be more of a day in early spring verses early fall. The temperature is finally cooling down after a week or two of above average temperatures and this past weekend was the official start of fall. Personally, this is my favorite time of year. I love going outside in jeans and a hoodie in the morning and shedding the hoodie as the day goes on. With the changing of the season come some work I am not exactly fond of. I love the changing of the leaves but hate having to clean them up off the lawn and out of the gutters. Harvest is also in full swing so you frequently see all the farm equipment in the field and fighting around them on the county roads. With the fields recent harvest you get a good look at the beef cattle put out to pasture. My son enjoys it too as you will hear loud “Mooooooo” calls coming from the back seat. It is also neat to see the recently born calves out wondering around getting their first
American Products and Services for American Cattlemen
Vol. 45 • No. 11 • November 2018 Publisher - Dustin J. Hector Editor - Patrick McKinney Art Director - Brandon Peterson Graphic Designer - Teri Marsh Account Executives Wendy Mills Kathy Davidson Mary Gatliff Lori Seibert Irene Smith Joyce Kenney Ed Juncker Controller - Robert Reedy Office Manager - Dawn Busse Circulation Coordinator Shawna Nelson Field Editors Bruce Derksen, Michael Cox, Jaclyn Krymowski, Steve Weisman
real look at the world. I know it seems a little early, but here in the Midwest you must always be prepared, but there is also the winter preparations that will begin soon as well. I know, it is only October but Mother Nature can be rather unpredictable so it is better to be proactive than reactive. Make sure you are reviewing your checklist and getting things done ahead of time. I would hate to be fixing fence or equipment in the snow
Livestock Media Group 4685 Merle Hay Rd • Suite 200 Des Moines, IA 50322 877-424-4594 www.americancattlemen.com
and that dreaded north wind if you don’t have to. We want to thank all of the producers for the hard work day in and day out to continue to help feed America. Raising livestock is a 7 day a week job and people routinely forget that the delicious steak and roast they enjoy come from countless hours and long days. So from all of us at American Cattlemen, we solute you and your effort to keep our plates and belly full.
Best Regards, Dustin Hector Publisher – American Cattlemen
6
American
November 2018
©Twin Rivers Media, LLC, 2018. All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recorded or otherwise without the prior written permission of Twin Rivers Media, LLC, 2018. The information and advertising set forth herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Twin Rivers Media, LLC, 2018 (“Publisher”) however, does not warrant complete accuracy of such information and assumes no responsibility for any consequences arising from the use thereof or reliance thereon. Publisher reserves the right to reject or cancel any advertisement or space reservation at any time without notice and for any reason. Publisher shall not be liable for any costs or damages if for any reason it fails to publish an advertisement. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their respective advertisements appearing in this publication and Publisher is not responsible or liable in any manner for inaccuracies, false statements or any material in such advertisement infringing upon the intellectual property rights of others. Advertisements appearing in this publication are not necessarily the views or opinions expressed by Publisher.
www.americancattlemen.com
8
American
November 2018
www.americancattlemen.com
I
f someone, out of the blue, asked you what your breeding soundness examination (BSE) protocol was for your bulls, cows and heifers would you be able to give a concise answer? It is easy to get caught up in the excitement and stress of breeding season. However, slowing down to take the extra steps beforehand can be paramount to avoid some major hiccups and disappointments down the road. Some studies have indicated that herds with some BSE screening process in place have a 5-10% increase in pregnancy.
The bull
Standard BSE protocol for bulls can be broken into three areas: an overall physical examination, an external reproductive examination and a microscopic examination of a semen sample. A physical examination should ensure that a bull is able to perform all necessary actions to breed cows and feel comfortable doing so. He should have all his senses completely at his disposal. This means he needs to be completely sound, able to walk, jump and move freely without any pain. He must also be able to maintain himself and keep up his vigor and body weight. Your bull, young or old, must “feel good” in order to do his job. www.americancattlemen.com
Scrotal circumference is one of the first most obvious parts of a genital examination. This is a good
penis is free from any sort of injury including scars, sores, lacerations or abscesses. The three-legged stool that semen quality sits upon are sperm cell concentration, morphology and motility. Ideally, a random sample should show 90% motility with 70% normal sperm cells and an average concentration is 1200 mil/ml. There is a fourth step that some vigilant cattlemen will take, espe-
While your cows and heifers certainly won’t be working so hard as your bull, they should still be included in your pre-breeding protocol! Taking some pelvic area measurements is a great place to start. indicator of bull fertility and libido. Having a vet available to do an external palpation of the accessory sex organs, including the seminal vesicles and prostate, is also wise. Condition of the sheath should be taken into consideration, especially for Brahman-influenced bulls who are prone to overly pendulous sheaths. Be sure to check that the
cially when introducing a new bull to the herd. This is venereal disease testing. Among range cattle, Trichomoniasis, an abortion-causing disease is a big one to test for along with Vibriosis (Campylobacter fetus). While not a venereal disease, persistently infected (PI) BVD bulls can be detrimental to overall herd health. If you’re using November 2018
American
9
BREEDING a new bull this test should be absolutely mandatory.
The cows and heifers
While your cows and heifers certainly won’t be working so hard as your bull, they should still be included in your pre-breeding protocol! Taking some pelvic area measurements is a great place to start. Doing so will help you get a pulse on your animals’ overall condition and risk for issues further down the pregnancy road. Alabama Extension, Alabama A& M and Auburn Universities, have a chart of conversion factors to calculate pelvic area once the primary height and width measurements have been taken. Most importantly, this value esti-
mates the deliverable calving weight you can expect each animal to safely tolerate. If you work closely with your vet, you may consider getting a reproductive tract score (RTS) on some or all of your animals. This score considers the uterine horns, the length, height
and width of the ovaries. This is also helpful to keep track of which animals have follicular development and are cycling normally. Maybe you have a freemartin that slipped under the radar or an older cow who you’re on the fence with. These exams will save you money in the long run. Don’t forget about the obvious general health and welfare of your animals. Be sure to do a general eyeballing of your breeding herd’s status. Watch your yearling weights as heifers reach puberty when they are at 55-65%of their mature body weights, depending on frame size. This ensures that will be 85-90% of their mature weight at the time of calving. Likewise know the body condition scores on everything. Cows that are overly fat are very difficult to get bred.
Remember to vaccinate
Make sure you keep your herd up to date on pre-breeding shots. The “must have” list should include vibrio, lepto, IBR, BVD, BRSV and PI3. This is also an ideal time to see if anything is in need of deworming for parasites both internal and external. Not only does a BSE protocol ensure your animals can perform at their best for the season ahead, it can also keep your herd health and efficient for the duration of their productive lives. There are many things to check off on the pre-breeding list, and it can seem a little overwhelming sometimes. The key is routine and taking the time to know your animals from when they’re young. Remember, the effects of well managed reproductive health are long lasting.
10
American
November 2018
www.americancattlemen.com
INDUSTRY INNOVATIONS
COWBOYS, CATTLE AND THE
COLORADO RIVER By Jeralyn Novak
M
odern day Lonesome Dove happens twice a year, just outside the quiet fishing town of Matagorda, Texas. Can you picture it? It is a sight straight out of the Old West, but with a 21st century spin; iPhones in the shirt pockets belonging to sweaty cowboys and motorboats assisting swimming calves. Even with modern technology, this century-old tradition still takes place for the Huebner Brothers Cattle Company of Bay City, Texas. For over 100 years, this ranch has been driving its cattle from their winter pastures located on the 30mile Matagorda peninsula, which runs from the mouth of the Colorado River in Matagorda to the Port O’Connor ship channel, to their summer pastures located at the Huebner headquarters south of Bay City. The ranch runs approximately 700 cows, primarily Beefmaster and Beefmaster influenced cows that are bred to registered Beefmaster bulls. Keith Meyer, a member of the Huebner family and an operator at Huebner Bros., says “the main thing we appreciate about the Beefmaster breed is their hardiness, their fertility, and their ability to grow.
12
American
November 2018
It works in our program because of where we are located and the kind of country we are putting them on.” While on the peninsula during the winter, the cows graze on salt grass and thrive in the harsh coastal
climate. Meyer says that their Beefmaster cows really hold up well in the harsh country found on the peninsula, they thrive during the winter despite only grazing on saltgrass, dealing with flies and the humid climate. “We bring the cows down here in early to mid-November, depending on the weather and growing conditions at home. They do very well during the winter and that allows us to rest our pastures at home. They [the cows] do know when it’s time to come home. When you start getting into spring, with warmer days, the flies get a little tougher on them,” says Meyer. Not only does the heat and flies encourage the cows to go home, but the cowboys have to make sure to get the cows moved before the storm
www.americancattlemen.com
and hurricane season rolls in during the summer. So each year, around Easter, a dozen or so cowboys round up the cattle on the island and gather them in a holding pen. From there the smallest calves are loaded into a trailer so they can ride a barge across the Colorado River, which lies between their winter home and summer home. Then the cows and bigger calves are driven down the island to where the mouth of the Colorado River meets the Gulf of Mexico. To finish their journey, the cows and big calves must swim across the river, which is 200 yards across and 15 feet deep. According to Meyer, “every swim is a little bit different�. For example, this year 53 head of
group followed suit and the swim was completed with no cows or calves being lost. To ensure that the calves make it across safely, there are two or three boats in the water watching
Not only does the heat and flies encourage the cows to go home, but the cowboys have to make sure to get the cows moved before the storm and hurricane season rolls in during the summer. older, lead cows voluntarily swam across the river a few weeks early, so it took a little more pushing from the cowboys and horses to get the swim started. However, once the front cows made the plunge, the whole
www.americancattlemen.com
the calves closely and assisting those that are too tired or swimming in the wrong direction. This year about five calves were pulled from the water onto the boats, they completed their journey in luxury and were reunited
with their moms at the holding pens. This drive is still considered the oldest cattle drive in Texas, but recently lost the title of longest cattle drive in Texas. Until a few years ago, the cattle were driven by horseback all the way to the pastures in Bay City. However, with the construction of a nearby bridge, it became too dangerous for the cattle and the community. So now after the cattle swim across the river, they are held in pens overnight so that cows and calves can pair up, then they are loaded into trailers the next day to complete the journey to Bay City. This same process is completed in
November 2018
American
13
INDUSTRY INNOVATIONS
reverse order around Thanksgiving each year. And if you are wondering, this cattle swim can be viewed by the public. Groups of people gather at the Matagorda Bay Nature Park, which is managed by Lower Colorado River Authority, to watch this scene out of an old western movie. So if you’re in the area of the Matagorda Bay peninsula around Easter or Thanksgiving, make sure to bring your camera and enjoy this century-old tradition. Now keep in mind, driving cattle is not the sole purpose at the Huebner Brothers ranch, it is only a piece of the puzzle. The ultimate goal of any ranch is to make money and grow superior cattle. Huebner Brothers is no different. Their goals are to produce heavy weight yearling steers and superior replacement females and the Beefmaster breed has allowed them to accomplish both goals: weight and maternal traits.
14
American
November 2018
“Most of the weaning weights on these Beefmaster influenced calves are going to be between 650 and 700 pounds in the fall. We will wean a lot of these calves and hold on to them and ship them as yearlings in the spring. We try to get them up to 750 to 800 pounds as yearlings,” says Meyer. In the past the ranch has used Charolais and Gelbvieh bulls on their
they wanted to get the Brahman influence back into their cattle and the Beefmaster breed has been beneficial in allowing them to accomplish that. This is a ranch rich with history and tradition, and Beefmaster cattle is their breed of choice. Whether your cattle operation is just starting or you have been running cows for decades, Beefmaster cattle
cows, but the move over to Beefmaster bulls has been significant in improving the ranch’s ability to replace with their own heifers. According to Meyer,
will produce you extremely fertile, functional and docile females that the beef industry needs to rebuild America’s cow herds. While also producing profitable and efficient feeder calves that deliver results in today’s volatile marketplace. Adding Beefmasters to your program will offer proven maternal traits, proven efficiency and proven heterosis. Just ask the Huebner Brothers Cattle Company. For more information on Beefmaster cattle visit www. beefmasters.org.
www.americancattlemen.com
Y
ears ago, when you drove down the country roads in your area, you would likely see a hip roofed barn on each property housing the standard handful of dairy cows, dozen or more hogs and the obligatory chicken coop. If there was a cow calf herd or group of grass cattle, they would be outdoors in a small corral.
Over time, this quiet picture of the countryside changed to include a few mono-slope, gable or hoop buildings housing mostly feeder cattle, gradually evolving to include finishing animals and at present, even cow calf operations up to twelve months of the year. Beyond the predictable mantra that everything changes, there are many obvious and not so obvious reasons this evolution is taking
place. Thinking simplistically, housing livestock indoors keeps them safe from storms, sun, rain, excessively hot or cold temperatures and other inclement weather conditions. These buildings can shield young or weak animals from predators and help diversify operations that have limited access to pasture land. Rather than attempting to purchase extra acres to expand their cattle herds that would only support them for a
portion of the year, many producers are considering the option of erecting a building to house them year round. In a feedlot or finishing operation, a comfortable animal will be a more efficient and productive animal. Dry cattle will stay warmer than wet animals because moisture diminishes the insulating properties of hair coats and when animals are cold and stressed, weight production will drop. Many producers using mono-slope or hoop barns claim a higher feed efficiency and increased daily gains and although research is thin in this area, many also assert a higher carcass quality and yield. In a cow calf situation, * Continued on page 18
16
American
November 2018
www.americancattlemen.com
HOUSING CATTLE
having a roof can be an excellent tool to realize the highest number of live, weaned and healthy productive calves. A controlled environment makes it easier to spot and treat any illness or disease cases and for cows, the dry comfortable environment helps them maintain their best body conditioning allowing timely re-breeding. The use of a building also permits a more intensive hands on management system to be put in place. Calving and weaning seasons can be staged at different times of the year to work together with other possible constraints such as grain farming, marketing situations and available bull usage. A closed environment like a mono-slope or hoop building can also make better use of field waste products such as corn plants and stalks. Rather than breaking down slowly over the course of years in the fields, they can be gathered and used under roof as bedding where they will decompose within weeks and be available as fertilizer. The value of this contained manure is higher than that gathered from open lot pens as there will not be excessive leaching of nutrients from wet weather conditions. This top quality manure can greatly offset the amount of fertilizer required on forage and grain lands. Although labor practices can
18
American
November 2018
18
American
November 2018
be more efficient, productive and precise when housing livestock indoors, there will also be a higher cost involved in pen management with expanded bedding and manure removal commitments. Potential negatives of erecting a building for indoor care of livestock are overall price of the materials and construction, along with the time and money involved with a more intense management system. Although there are government grants available for portions of these endeavors, it can still be a large financial undertaking. Ease of precise feeding can hide mediocre management skills while the creation of a stable productive cow calf herd under a roof can be the opposite, requiring closer attention to detail with the intensive operations. Overall, there are many things to consider when it comes to determining whether to house livestock indoors for parts or all of the year. Each operation will need to decide what is possible and will work best for their farming unit when it comes to cost, space, time and resources. With an eye to the future and more comfortable, productive happier cattle, the livestock industry will continue to display a caring and committed attitude to animal wellbeing by improving and delivering potential advancements such as the option of indoor cattle housing.
www.americancattlemen.com
BUSINESS PROFILE
RAWHIDE PORTABLE CORRAL
TO BLEND THE OLD WITH THE NEW Article courtesy of Rawhide Portable Corral
J
ohn McDonald knows a thing or two about livestock equipment after working with cattle and rodeo livestock most of his life. Knowing there had to be a better portable corral design out there; he came up with it himself. In 2003 the public was introduced to his original Rawhide Portable Corral. It could be set up by one person without any lifting and it could be done quickly; yet it could also be pulled down the road at highway speeds, ensuring that no time would be wasted while catching cattle. Fast forward to 2018 and now customers have two different corrals to choose from; the Rawhide Original, throwback to the first design, or the Rawhide Processor. Even though the Processor’s design is viewed as the superior portable corral on the market, John believes that there are still those who will want a smaller, more affordable system. Enter the Rawhide Original, which is a blend between the two designs he has offered throughout the years and has a bumper hitch with permanent transport wheels. The Original is only offered in the Standard and Large sizes. The Processor is offered in three sizes for the convenience of ranchers and cattle producers throughout the world and the main difference with this design is the ability to customize the corral upon ordering by including a hydraulic alley, head gate or loading chute. Whether you simply want to catch your cattle or process them on
20
American
November 2018
site and load them into a trailer from the pasture, you are able to do so with the Processor. The design of the Processor continues to impress cattle producers with its versatility and ease of use. The permanent sheeted adjustable alley aids with working your livestock, whether it is done on site or in the field. The adjustable alley can be sized from thirty (30) inches down to sixteen (16) inches; either manually or hydraulically. The most notable features of the Rawhide corrals are that they are easy to set up and they are easy to transport. We mean it when we say that one person can open up the corral without lifting a panel. This will continue to be the model as we move forward with our newer designs. The key is one person can handle it all by themselves. Customers can manipulate the panels so it is not just one big pen, but two, three or even four pens for sorting, as one can never have enough pens when it comes to working
cattle. John’s design was the first portable corral on the market to offer the hydraulic lift option. This has been so popular that we now offer customers the option to buy the Hydraulic Lift Kit with or without the battery so that they may upgrade existing equipment of their own. A lift kit includes the jack,
power unit, solar panel and of course the option of including a battery at time of purchase. John and his wife Mary run the family business at their manufacturing plant in Abilene, Kansas, which is the only place where a Rawhide may be purchased outside of South Texas, where we now have a dealer in Hempstead. Please check out our website for more information and to view our videos: www.rawhideportablecorral.com or find us on Facebook. Phone # 785-263-3436.
www.americancattlemen.com
www.americancattlemen.com
November 2018
American
23
BUSINESS PROFILE
A LABOR OF LOVE By Steve Weisman
M
ention the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and the name of Bob Tallman often comes up. After all, his deep, resonant voice is heard by more than 60 million people across the country each year as he announces the events at the top rodeos across the country. For his contributions to the rodeo industry, Tallman has been inducted into the PRCA, The National Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Texas Cowboy hall of fames. In addition to his golden voice, Tallman has a philosophy that has stood the test of time. “Tell them the truth. Say what you are seeing because the fans are seeing the same thing that you are. And if you can’t be positive, don’t say anything!”
For the 70-year old Tallman, his announcing has been a labor of love, and without it, “My wife, Kristen and I would not be where we are today. From the very beginning, Kristen supported the 250-300 days I would be on the road.” To say that ranching is in his blood is also an understatement. He is a fifth-generation rancher dating back to his great great uncle in Montana, then Winnemucca, Nevada in 1894. Today, Tallman and his wife have an Angus cow/calf herd at their ranch, 3T Angus Cattle Ranch near Poolville, TX. The family operation includes their daughter and son-in-law and their two young children. It is the family relationships that are extremely important to Tallman. “Family is important to us. We eat at night together and talk about the day’s activities, the ranch. These are things that keep us close.” Tallman notes that those 40 years on the road have been an important learning experience. “While I would 24
American
November 2018
be announcing the rodeo at night, I would be talking to riders, ranchers and all kinds of people in the industry during the day. I wanted to learn and would ask them questions: How does this work? Why do you do this? What do you think? My travels allowed me to become involved with people in the livestock industry who were way ahead of the curve.” Tallman took many of those ideas back to the ranch to improve his cattle’s health, improve his facilities, which would in turn improve the bottom line profit. Now, as he works his cattle at
3T, he utilizes products that simplify and improve productivity. The use of scales to keep track of each animal’s weight has been crucial in improving herd health and profitability. “The best scale I have found has come from Tru-Test www.tru-test.com, located in Mineral Wells, TX. You know, you can’t manage what you can’t measure!” By weighing, Tallman has found he can make sure livestock are sold at the optimum weight, checking weight gain on calves can help monitor reproductive performance and what cows to remove from the herd, minimize treatment waste and identify sick or lame animals early on. Tru-Test has several different scale options to meet the needs of the producer. One that Tallman presently has is the XR5000 scale indicator with the HD1010 load bars. “I can check weights daily, monthly, quarterly and yearly. This gives me the entire picture of weight gain for each animal. Software has also made it so I can be away from the ranch and actually download
www.americancattlemen.com
and check everything that is going on.” Tallman makes the most of his land by using electric fence to rotate pastures. Every 7-10 days, he moves cattle and his solar-powered fence to another stretch of land. It’s all about efficiency, and the electric fencing offers flexibility, ease to make changes, affordability and safety of the animals. By using several paddocks, we can maximize the grass for the cattle, while at the same time not over graze the pasture. When we researched the many types of electric fencing options, we chose to go with Speedrite, which is owned by Tru-Test.” When Tallman moves the cattle to the next pasture, he goes back to the vacated pasture and spreads the wealth (manure), cuts down any weeds that might have grown and then lets it rest until the next rotation. For Bob and Kristen, the past 49 years together has been a journey and a learning experience. And it’s far from over. The rodeo will continue to be a huge part of their family’s life.
www.americancattlemen.com
A new venture-Bobby T’s Beef Jerky
Over the 40+ years Bob Tallman has been on the road, he’s stopped at convenience stores across the country for fuel for both his vehicle and himself. Often it was a snack, maybe a package of beef jerky, just to get him through until supper. “Over the years, I just got tired of all the sodium and preservatives, and just not knowing what was in the jerky. So, 14 months ago we started the learning process and 45 days ago we introduced our own brand: Bobby T’s Beef Jerky!” So, what sets Bobby T’s apart from the rest? First off, all of Bobby T’s Beef Jerky has been inspected and approved by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Tallman makes sure it is high quality grass fed beef, literally a “steak in a sack.” Tallman personally selected Marsha and Max Stabel, who own Ranch House Meats in Menard, TX, to produce his jerky for their nearly 40 years of experience in producing quality
beef products with small-town values and a dedicated sense of integrity. Preparation is an important part of the process. The beef is hand cut and trimmed, then marinated for hours in a variety of personally tested flavors. Once marinated, the jerky is then hand-laid on smoking trays and placed in smokers over smoking and flavorful hickory wood. There is no liquid smoke added. It’s all real!! Once smoked, it is then cooled to ensure moistness and placed in bags for shipment. Tallman says, “Currently, customers can go to our website www. bobbytsjerky.com and place orders personally, and we are in the process of getting Bobby T’s Jerky marketed in Boot Barn Western S t o r e s throughout the country, and grocery chains are next.”
November 2018
American
25
BUSINESS PROFILE
Understanding the costs and dangers of birds on your feedlot B
irds in your feedlots can be costing you far more than you realize. Feedlots are ideal refuges for birds, especially in the winter months when alternate food sources are not available and natural roosting places are less hospitable. How much feed do birds eat?
A lot! Starlings are the most common birds infesting livestock operations. The USDA Wildlife Services estimates a flock of 1,000 starlings can consume 40 pounds of feed per day. Starling flocks on feedlots can grow to 100,000 birds.
How do birds negatively impact weight gain and feed efficiency?
Birds can be very selective about what they eat, preferring the more expensive components in rations, such as protein pellets or grain, and seldom consume roughage. This substantially alters the ration formulation, resulting in suboptimal feed that negatively effects digestion and growth rate of cows.
What are the health risks to cows caused by birds?
Studies done by the Agriculture Research and Development Center at Ohio State University concluded starlings were responsible for the transmission of food borne illnesses between livestock sites. Birds carry disease-causing microorganisms and contaminate areas with their droppings, feathers or external parasites such as mites. Bird droppings in feed have been shown to spread pathogens including E. coli, salmonella,
26
American
November 2018
cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis. Many of these pathogens are potentially lethal and capable of being spread to humans. Salmonella infects the intestinal tract of cows and can be serious, even fatal. There are 81 strains of salmonella that affect cattle. Calves two to four weeks old are most apt to contract severe infections. In mature cattle, salmonella may cause abortions, or a decrease in weight production. Salmonella may be transmitted by direct contact with birds, consumption of feed or water contaminated by bird feces, or inhalation of dried bird droppings. Cryptococcosis and Histoplasmosis are chronic progressive fungal diseases that are spread through dried bird droppings and can be fatal if left untreated. Is there a connection between Bovine Tuberculosis and bird infestations? Yes! Birds often carry avian tuberculosis which is nearly identical to the bovine strain and is spread through their feces. While it is rare for cows to develop lesions in their lungs from avian tuberculosis, it is not uncommon for cows exposed to bird droppings to show false positive test results for bovine tuberculosis, resulting in entire farms being unnecessarily quarantined.
What are the health risks to workers?
OSHA and the Centers for Disease Control have extensive warnings and guidelines about the risks of working around and cleaning areas contaminated with bird droppings. There are more than 60 diseases that can be transmitted from birds to humans, primarily through contact with bird droppings. The build-up of bird droppings can also be slippery, leaving operators liable for injuries caused by falls.
What can be done to eliminate birds?
Exclusion netting is effective, but impractical for feeding operations. Cannons and visual scare devices work for a short while but birds quickly adapt. Poisoning programs, while effective for a season, can create public relations problems with local residents and the dead birds present their own hearth issues. Numerous university and research studies have determined the most effective way to keep birds away from feedlots is a bird deterrent that uses recordings of bird distress sounds and indigenous raptors. To cows and humans they sound like a flock of birds in the trees, but to birds they signal imminent danger. Birds flee to find someplace more hospitable to roost and feed. The most effective models are made by Bird Gard and can be customized to repel specific bird species and configured to the feed operation.
www.americancattlemen.com
30
American
November 2018
www.americancattlemen.com
R
eplacement heifers are the lifeblood of any cow-calf business as they have a direct influence on the quality and quantity of future calves sold for many years to come. Producers should be clear on their individual criteria involved in selecting which young females to bring into the breeding program, why those animals are chosen and what the desired end-product offspring will look like. American Cattlemen Magazine recently caught up with two cattlemen, Jordan Rhodes, based out of Faulkton, South Dakota and Joel Judge of Advanced Beef Solutions, Texas, to discuss their thoughts on selecting replacement heifers.
Maternal Selection
Rhodes is a first-generation farmer, who after years of AI industry work with Holstein dairy cows in Minnesota, decided to return to his true passion and love; beef cows in South Dakota. From a standing start www.americancattlemen.com
of a small herd of cows, Rhodes has grown the business to 150 head of Red Angus females, with plans to double in business size in the coming years. “The focus here is to breed good, honest cows and we select heavily for maternal traits within the
herd,” Rhodes says. Having a herd of proven, predictable maternal cows with a good calving interval is key to success for this red angus herd. “A cow herd is like a factory in my eyes, and we need new youngstock coming down the pipeline as better replacements for older, less efficient cows,” Rhodes says. For the production line to run smoothly, heifers are selected based on breed character, easy fleshing ability, functionality, udders and feet. Excellent records are kept to detail parentage, production and any health or functional problems within the herd. All replacement heifers are sourced from within the closed herd, and to a large degree, the female youngstock are all potential replacement candidates due to the quality November 2018
American
31
REPLACEMENT HEIFERS of the base cow. A tight breeding season of just 35 days of 100% AI ensures that AI bred daughters are only kept from high fertility, efficient cows. “We don’t cull a lot of youngstock, as we don’t have a lot that fall off the edge,” Rhodes says, with the occasional heifer being culled due to poor mothering or poor udder structure in her dam.
Terminal Distractions
The maternal focus is a cornerstone of the business and something Rhodes is passionate about. “We try to breed for balance, not just for growth and a curve-bender bull calf under a cow,” Rhodes says. He believes that as the US cow herd is getting younger every year, the industry may be losing efficiency and a good maternal base cow in the longterm, as producers focus only on growth, muscle and terminal traits. “We’re giving up too much on the female side when we focus on terminal traits and end up
32
American
November 2018
with large, inefficient, poor fertility and short-lived breeding cows as a result,” Rhodes says. Rhodes believes that maternal selection does not have to compromise bull sales, as good bulls are a by-product of a strong maternal line. Breeding bulls from the herd start at $9,000, with many repeat customers returning every year. “Selecting the right heif-
ers with a clear breeding strategy will create a herd that cashflows consistently, even in a downmarket,” Rhodes says.
Selecting for an end-goal
For Joel Judge, replacement heifer selection is an integral part of his marketing and consulting business. Judge sources replace-
www.americancattlemen.com
ment stock for customers across the nation and has built up a network of excellent source herds over his 35 years in the industry. “The first question I ask someone who is looking to buy replacement heifers is ‘What is their goal?’ Are they wanting to retain ownership to the rail, sell at weaning, sell pairs, what is the environment like where the animals will travel to ect.,” Judge says. Having the end-goal in mind is crucial to selecting the right type of animal. Once this has been established, the next criteria for selection is breed type, feet and legs, soundness and body type. “Heifers need to look feminine in my opinion,” Judge says, and he pays particular attention to shoulders and center belly rib dimension when choosing replacement females. Uniformity of the group and purchasing from a dependable source herd is also important. “We stay away from ‘put-together’ herds and prefer to see the mothers of potential re-
www.americancattlemen.com
placements and observe and study their background,” Judge says. Provided heifers meet the above requirements, Judge will then ensure that the heifers have every possible chance of success on the new owner’s ranch. Vaccination programs,
All replacement heifers are sourced from within the closed herd, and to a large degree, the female youngstock are all potential replacement candidates due to the quality of the base cow. mineral supplementation programs and proper preconditioning of the heifers will all be considered to help set the heifers up to thrive with their new owner. “It’s also important when selecting heifers to try and relax and acclimatize them to their new home as quickly as possible,” Judge says. If possible, stock should
be sourced in the Fall so they avoid any humidity stress if moving across the country. Having a few older cows to mix with the new replacements is also beneficial claims Judge, as the experienced cows will help train the heifers into learning what, where and when to eat on the new ranch. “Cattle can adapt to moving anywhere in the country,” Judge says, “but it can take time for cattle to learn to eat fescue, warm season grasses or cool season grasses, depending on where the original source herd was based in relation to the buyer’s farm. While replacement heifer selection criteria will differ from farm to farm, success can be achieved if producers are clear on their desired characteristics and stick to a breeding strategy for several years. For Rhodes and Judge, the time invested in selecting the right type of replacement animal is clearly paying dividends and is helping their businesses and livestock prosper.
November 2018
American
33
www.americancattlemen.com
November 2018
American
35
36
American
November 2018
www.americancattlemen.com
www.americancattlemen.com
November 2018
American
37
Charlies’ Cowdogs NEW RELEASE
How to Train & Handle the Cowdog TWO DISC SET
Registered Hangin Tree Cowdogs and Puppies for sale. Over 25 years of breeding, training and using Hangin Tree Cowdogs. ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED Founding Member of the WRCA
Authorized Garmin Dealer
Charlie Trayer • trayer@windstream.net
www.CharliesCowdogs.com 940-453-6708 38
American
November 2018
Common Sense Mfg. • HEAVY DUTY hydraulic wire winder • Mounts to 3-point hitch or loader bucket • AVAILABLE IN GREEN
605-598-4157
www.CommonSenseMfg.com www.americancattlemen.com
MARKETPLACE
www.americancattlemen.com
November 2018
American
39
MARKETPLACE 40
American
November 2018
www.americancattlemen.com
MARKETPLACE
www.americancattlemen.com
November 2018
American
41
MARKETPLACE
Eliminates Burrowing Rodents Pressurized Exhaust Rodent Control (PERC)
H&M Gopher Control Mfg. & Sales
Toll-Free 855-667-5181 • Office 530-667-5181 • Cell 530-640-3981 www.hmgophercontrol.com NO explosives NO poison bait
42
American
November 2018
www.americancattlemen.com
MARKETPLACE
The SKIDRIL G20D Ultra-Driver easy, fast post driver Weighing less than 40 pounds and requiring no hoses, cables or external power source the G20 is the tool if you’ve got fence to mend or build. The gas powered G20 can drive T-Post, ground rods and round steel post up to 3”. Its even fun!
SKIDRIL has been providing fencing machines for nearly 30 years so you can count on the G20D Ultra-Driver.
●
On-Off simplicity. Few moving parts.
●
Simple 4-cycle OHV engine or powerful 2-cycle. Only $995 – 2-stroke and $1195.00 – 4-stroke Honda. (3 engine makes available.)
●
Drive T-post, round post and more with up to 1800 impacts per minute. 40 ft.-lbs. of impact energy. ●
Air cushion dampening for virtually no recoil means no need for springs or extra parts.
●
High efficiency, 1 qt./hr. Drive hundreds of post on one gallon of gas!
●
Light weight and portable
●
12-month parts and labor warranty
P.O. Box 8041 Greensboro, NC 27419
Call today and order yours! Tel: 800-843-3745 • Fax: 336-674-6690 www.americancattlemen.com
November 2018
American
43
MARKETPLACE 44
American
November 2018
www.americancattlemen.com
MARKETPLACE
www.americancattlemen.com
November 2018
American
45
MARKETPLACE 46
American
November 2018
www.americancattlemen.com
MARKETPLACE
www.americancattlemen.com
November 2018
American
47
MARKETPLACE 48
American
November 2018
www.americancattlemen.com
MARKETPLACE
www.americancattlemen.com
November 2018
American
49
MARKETPLACE
TRAILER MFG. INC.
a
HIGHER
Flatbed Trailers
standard of QUALITY. Titan Trailer offers a full line of Horse Trailers, Flatbed Trailers, Utility Trailers, Dump Trailers, Stock Trailers and Custom Trailers.
Stock Trailers
866-294-4514 TRAILER MFG. INC.
www.titantrailer.com
50
American
November 2018
2306 S. Hwy 77, Waterville,KS 66548 Phone: 866-294-4514 Fax: 785-363-2472 Email: info@titantrailer.com
www.americancattlemen.com
Contact us today for more information!
The AUTO EASY FEEDER is a PROGRAMMABLE FEEDER, which dispenses different types and sizes of bulk feed, textured-type feed and all size cubes.
MARKETPLACE
The AUTO EASY FEEDER comes in 4', 8', and 16'
Email: infoandsales@autoeasyfeeder.com
www.autoeasyfeeder.com
CORRAL DESIGNS ~ CUSTOM DESIGN SERVICE CORRAL DESIGN BOOK $55 - 2nd edition 40 different layouts plus details of loading ramp, gates, chutes and crowd pen. 22 photos. CATTLE HANDLING VIDEO VHS $59. DVD $68 with additional Spanish video and picture cd.
Send check or money order to: Grandin Livestock Systems Inc., 3504 North Shields, Fort Collins, CO 80524
970-229-0703 • www.grandin.com www.americancattlemen.com
November 2018
American
51
MARKETPLACE
W DE NE TICIS C E IP INS STR
F ST COREERES NT FL S RO Y L
Livestock Mineral Feeders
WEATHERPROOF • BULL PROOF PORTABLE • DURABLE ECONOMICAL • DEPENDABLE
US PATENT # 9,380.761 & OTHER US AND INTERNATIONAL PATENST PENDING
AmeriAg
www.ameriag.com 877-551-4916
www.steerfeeder.com
American
WANT TO BE MORE THAN JUST FRIENDS?
Subscribe to American Cattlemen magazine today! 12 issues a year for just $995 (that’s only 3¢ a day). Less than a piece of jerky!
CLASSIFIEDS
WWW.AMERICANCATTLEMEN.COM MACHINERY & PRODUCTS NEW HOLL AND BALE WAGONS: I sell a n d bu y S elf- P r opelle d & Pull-type two/three wide models — H/9880, H/9870, BW38, BW28, 1095, 1089, 1085, 1079, 1078, 1075, 1069, 1068, 1049, 1048, 1037, 1036, 1033, 1032, & other models, parts, and tires. Can finance/trade/deliver. Call Jim Wilhite 208-880-2889 anytime. www.balewagon.com REAL ESTATE 38 Acres Just Northeast of Adrian MI. Approximately 30 ½ acres are tillable and 6 acres of woods. Great building site, farmland, investment or use for outstanding hunting. Priced to sell! $169,900 Call Larry at Faust Real Estate, LLC 517-2703645.
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! www.facebook.com/ americancattlemen 52
American
November 2018
Registered Angus Since 2009 Featuring Herd Bull SAV Density 1307 Hebron Road St. Marys, WV 26170
John McKnight 304-319-1967
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! www.facebook.com/ americancattlemen www.americancattlemen.com
Wyoming’s Premier Source of Sussex Cattle If you are looking for outcross genetics to improve docility and feed efficiency, using Sussex bulls might work for you!
SELLING BULLS ANNUALLY BY PRIVATE TREATY
BREEDERS DIRECTORY
PEEGEE Ranch ARVADA, WY
For more information, contact: (307) 736-2327 or (307) 736-2461
Mytty Natural - 17935475
NOVE EMBER 13, 20018
Mytty Source - 17935497
- Summer calving program – developed under range conditions - Long yearling bulls, developed on grass - Cows wintered on dry grass until deep snow
- Private Treaty Sales later this fall.
140
www.americancattlemen.com
SIRES
1:00 PM • BURNT FORK RANCH SALE FACILITY | STEVENSVILLE, MT LONG YEARLING SUMMER BULLS SAV Resource 1441 Koupal Advance 28
Please call for more information Kevin & Traci Mytty Kevin cell: (406) 360-8939 Traci Cell: (406) 546-8318 email: myttyangus@cybernet1.com
www.MyttyAngus.com
875 Sweeney Creek Loop • Florence, MT 59833 November 2018
American
53
American Products and Services for American Cattlemen
American Cattlemen 4685 Merle Hay Rd • Suite 200 Des Moines, IA 50322 877-424-4594 www.americancattlemen.com
Electronic Service Requested
Scan to Subscribe!
Presorted Standard U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 152 Pontiac, IL 61764
US $3.95