Braford News | Volume 32, Issue 1 by United Braford Breeders

Join us for the

SPRING ADVANCING THE BRAFORD BREED SALE Thursday, March 16, Lake Charles, LA

Offering 15 performance-tested and pasture-ready Braford bulls and 15 open, breeding-age Braford heifers

Lot 139 - BR 1201 MR 6154 (132001)

BW 0.6 BWM 1.8 WW 15 YW 22 MILK 8 TMAT 15 CW 25 FAT 0.060 REA 0.29 MARB 0.10

P.O. Box 243 Union Springs, AL 36089 Alabama: 334-738-2205

Lot 140 - BR 1201 MR 6047 (132006)

BW 1.2 BWM 1.7 WW 17 YW 27 MILK 4 TMAT 12 CW 27 FAT 0.090 REA 0.25 MARB 0.05

Lot 412 - BR X102 MS 6175 (131963)

BW 0.8 BWM 2.7 WW 16 YW 20 MILK 8 TMAT 16 CW 15 FAT 0.130 REA 0.08 MARB 0.01

Bill Rainer Cattle Co. REGISTERED BRAFORD CATTLE

New Summerfield, Texas Cell: 903-780-6455 Texas Home: 903-683-1086

HARVEY RANCH Son of “REVOLUTION X 51” Ribeye Percent IMF Scan Age Scan Wt. Actual Adjust Actual Adjust Revolution Bull 402 1394 14.4 13.9 4.67 4.68

Son of “CURRENCY” Ribeye Percent IMF Scan Age Scan Wt. Actual Adjust Actual Adjust Currency Bull 395 1420 14.1 13.7 3.32 3.28

Please make plans to attend the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in Houston, Texas beginning March 7, 2017 and the Advancing the Braford Breed Spring Bull Sale in Lake Charles, Louisiana on March 16, 2017. We will be looking to see you there!

2949 State Road 70 West Okeechobee, Florida 34972 JIM W. HARVEY — 863.697.6624 RONNIE TRYTHALL — 863.697.2182

Volume 32 Issue 1 • 2017 Official Publication of the United Braford Breeders

Vol. XXXII, No.1 2017

Cover Caption: Spring-born, first-generation Braford calf out of a Hereford cow at Bill Rainer Brafords in Union Springs, Alabama.

Other Features

Feature Story 5 “Starting Up and Keeping Up’’ — Through Education and Braford Genetics with Rhea Shields, S5 Farms by Courtney Wesner, Freelance Writer

10 Meet Your Newly Elected Officers 13 Raising F1s in Winnie, Texas, for 99 Years

by Hannah Wine

18 Texas Cattle Fever Ticks Are Back with a Vengeance

In Each Issue 2 President’s Notes by Robert Mills

3 From the Director’s Desk by Hannah Wine 5380 Old Bullard Rd., Suite 600, Box 358 Tyler, TX 75703 540.272.1682 www.brafords.org • BrafordNews@brafords.org Like the United Braford Breeders on Facebook!

8 Junior Focus 17 Association News 22 Show Results

UBB Registration Office P.O. Box 14100, Kansas City, MO 64101-4100 816.595.2443 UBB@abraonline.org

March 10

UBB Board of Directors Meeting, Crowne Plaza, Houston, TX

March 10

International Braford Sale, Houston, TX

March 11

UBB Annual Membership Meeting, Crowne Plaza, Houston, TX

March 12

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo National Braford Show, Houston, TX

March 16

Advancing the Braford Breed 8, Lake Charles, LA

April 15

Texas Junior Braford Association State Show Entry Deadline

June 1

NJBA All American Entry Deadline Louisiana Junior Braford Breeders State Show Entry Deadline

June 9-10

Louisiana Junior Braford Breeders State Show, Alexandria, LA

June 17-18

Texas Junior Braford Association State Show, Gilmer, TX

July 13-16

NJBA All American, Harrison County Fairgrounds, Gulfport, MS

Braford News is the official publication of the United Braford Breeders (UBB). It is published four times a year and is supported by paid advertisements and subscriptions. Advertising and subscription information can be obtained from the UBB office. We appreciate your letters, comments and any editorial material you would like considered for publication.

March 2018

World Braford Congress, Fort Worth, TX

New Member Report

Editor – Hannah Wine hwine@brafords.org Production Hereford Publications Inc./Creative Services Abigail Shipley P.O. Box 014059, Kansas City, MO 64101 816.842.3757 • 816.842.6931 fax ashipley@hereford.org

Follow the United Braford Breeders!

Zoetis is corporate sponsor of United Braford Breeders.

Editor, Hannah Wine, hwine@brafords.org

Events

Twitter: UnitedBrafordBreeder Instagram: unitedbrafordbreeders Facebook: United Braford Breeders

December 2016 Ashley Lynne Pugh, Ethel, LA, Junior Braxton Whitesell, Walker, LA, Junior Dugan Y. Rust, Frostproof, FL, Junior Isabella Derigo, Okeechobee, FL, Junior John C. Prejean, Abbeville, LA O L Pugh, LLC, Ethel, LA Siegmeister Cattle Co., Live Oak, FL January 2017 Arrow S Ranch, Checotah, OK Darrel W. Briggs, Sr. Abbeville, LA Micah Ehlert, Sealy, TX, Junior Shea Fournier, Raceland, LA, Junior Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017 l BRAFORD news

President’s Notes

by Robert Mills

s the new year begins in our Braford world, planning for Houston and our national activities are in full swing. As always, the first three or four months each year are very busy. This year along with our regular Houston activities, a group of Braford breeders has reestablished the

International Braford Sale. This event will happen on March 10 at 7 pm as the climax of the day’s activities. There are several lots available that will enhance anyone’s breeding program. The pre-sale social is at 6 pm and everyone is welcome. This is a great time to see old friends and breeders and catch up on all the news. Please plan to support this event. In just a few days following Houston, the Advancing the Breed Spring Bull Sale will be held March 16 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. For those with Spring calving seasons, this is an excellent opportunity to purchase new herd sires that have been developed with performance and ultrasound data available. Make sure your neighbors are aware of this

2 BRAFORD news l Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017

UBB Board of Directors outstanding opportunity to purchase quality bulls for their commercial and purebred operations. As the year continues, I encourage you to become informed and involved with the happenings of the beef industry. The future of our breed and industry can only be enhanced or improved if we become educated and actively involved. I am not talking about who won the last show or whose bulls topped the sale at Lake Charles. Instead, we need to know what is happening with the beef industry on a larger scale, not just at the local level. We need to prepare to meet the needs of cattlemen in the US and around the world. After all, as breeders, our job is to produce seed stock for commercial cattlemen. Therefore, we must know what is going on in our industry to better fulfill and meet those needs. Whether your emphasis is on the bull or the female side, or both, knowledge is your most valuable asset. Become involved with local cattlemen groups, extension programs and state organized groups to get the pulse and information on new trends, products, marketing and production practices that could help you become more successful. When you succeed, the UBB will succeed as well as becoming stronger.

President - Robert Mills 15535 C.R. 1123 Athens, TX 75751 Office: 903.489.0837 Home: 903.489.0869 Mobile: 903.676.8930 Email: robert@rockcrestranch.com Vice President - Bill Rainer P.O. Box 243 Union Springs, AL 36089 Alabama: 334.738.2205 Texas: 800.729.7790 FAX: 903.683.9830 Mobile: 903.780.6455 Email: granjan.jr@gmail.com Secretary - Will Moncrief Running M Ranch 10006 Journeys End Tallahassee, FL 32312-3710 Office: 850.385.4489 Mobile: 850.566.6070 Email: w69cracker@hotmail.com Treasurer - Larry Stanberry LS Brafords 996 VZ C.R. 1805 Grand Saline, TX 75140 Home: 903.962.7219 Mobile: 214.924.9202 Email: lstanberry@earthlink.net Region 1 Director - Jim Harvey Harvey Ranch 2949 Hwy. 70 West Okeechobee, FL 34972 Office: 863.763.2523 Mobile: 863.697.6624 Fax: 863.763.7524 Email: jimharveybrafords@ embarqmail.com Region 1 Director - Zach Adams Adams Ranch Inc. 25501 Orange Ave. Fort Pierce, FL 34945 Mobile: 772.215.6268 Email: ZachAdamsRanch@gmail.com Region 2 Director - Chris Herpin Herpin Cattle Company 20102 Herpin Circle Kaplan, LA 70548 Mobile: 337.652.8125 Fax: 337.643.3382 Email: aherpin@sfbcic.com Region 2 Director - Heather Green 3313 Trailer Town Rd. Jennings, LA 70546 Mobile: 337.540.1748 Email: gran3290@aol.com Region 2 Director - Shannon Harrington 7068 N. Harrington Rd. Iowa, LA 70647 Home: 337.478.7637 Mobile: 337.485.2442 Email: sjhfarm@aol.com Region 3 Director - Scott McCullough 3226 C.R. 3115 Greenville, TX 75402 Mobile: 903.274.7799 Email: wmscottmcc@hotmail.com Region 4 Director - Paul Harris Greenview Farms 334 K-Ville Rd. Screven, GA 31560 Mobile: 912.294.2472 Fax: 912.586.6991 Email: Greenviewpaul@yahoo.com Region 4 Director - Jim Smith JS Land & Cattle Co. P.O. Box 487 Magnolia, MS 39652 Home: 601.783.7045 Mobile: 601.551.7045 FAX: 601.276.7675 Email: jimsmith@agup.co

From the Director’s Desk

Try Something New by Hannah Wine UBB Executive Director

n 1968 Phillip Morris launched the “You’ve come a long way, baby” ad campaign for Virginia Slims that became one of the most famous ad campaigns in US history. The next year, 1969, Braford was officially recognized as a breed. Forty-eight years later, we’ve come a long way. But, we’ve got to keep going. Education ensures longevity. As cattle producers, we must keep getting better, for the next generation, for the future of the industry and for the future of the Braford breed. In this issue you’ll find an interesting pairing— the story of Bauer Ranch, where one family has raised F1 cattle for 99 years, and the story of S5 Farms, where young cattleman Rhea Shields has sought out endless resources around him to build the S5 Braford program from scratch. Both Lance Bauer and Rhea Shields note one

critical component, continuing education. Whether it’s time for you to make changes at your ranch because you can’t do what you used to or simply because you need to increase your bottom line, education is the way to get you there. Like everything, the beef industry has changed over the years. Keeping up with industry changes takes time, but it’s time well spent. Consider adding a producer education session to your calendar each year, whether it’s a multiday intensive educational session like the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, an evening seminar at your local extension office or an online Beef Quality Assurance course on a rainy day. Here are my three favorite intensive sessions. The amount of information you can absorb in just a few days at each of these events is incredible, plus you’ll catch up with old friends and meet lots of great cattle producers from around the United States. Beef Improvement Federation, May 31 – June 3, 2017, Athens, GA Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, August 7 – 9, 2017, College Station, TX National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Convention, January 31 – February 2, 2018, Phoenix, AZ If you’re interested in doing something locally or even online, check out your state Beef Quality Assurance program. BQA programming focuses on educating and training cattle producers, farm advisors, and veterinarians on the issues in cattle food safety and quality. State BQA programs are voluntary, locally led,

and administered through organizations such as state beef councils, Land Grant Universities and state cattle associations. The program focuses on production of defect-free food, biosecurity, animal health and well-being, production performance and environmental stewardship. It is never easy to hear you’ve been doing it wrong all along. But in all reality, things change over time and BQA is a realistic way to keep yourself up to date. Even you know that you don’t know it all. BQA is designed to build on what you already know. You might even learn a trick or two. Sometimes it’s even worse to be reminded you’re doing it wrong when you really know better. BQA is a great refresher course to remind you that some of your old habits have got to go. Learning new things doesn’t necessarily mean learning something entirely new, it might be a matter of learning a new way to do something you already know. If you’re like me, sometimes you’ll go to a seminar and find yourself three cups of coffee in, trying to listen to the speaker but thinking about what you need to pick up at the feed mill on the way home or wondering if you hooked the back gate when you left. It just means you weren’t at the right one. Give the educational sessions another try and try these tips.

it can have an impact on them. Choose a course or subject that’s important to you and gets you excited. Maybe it’s time to finally take that AI course you’ve always wanted to go to. Use Multiple Media The more ways you experience information, the more likely you are to retain it. Different media activate different areas of the mind. Perhaps sitting in the classroom watching a speaker with a Power Point doesn’t flip your switch. Check out a different type of session, for example the BQA chute-side sessions. Conditionalize the Information In other words, study up on the broader applications of whatever you’re learning--figure out why it matters. Reading up on de-wormers might seem a bit pointless but if you consider how it can prevent disease transmission from ticks, it’s an important topic. Continuing education does more than just help us as beef producers capture more value from the cattle market. It helps us build a positive public image and instills consumer confidence in the beef industry. Participating in continuing education is a step toward ensuring the continuation of the lifestyle of raising cattle for the generations to come. We’ve come a long way, now let’s make sure we keep going in the right direction!

Check Your Motivation Ask the question, “Why am I learning this?” People learn better if information seems useful to them, and particularly if they believe Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017 l BRAFORD news

“Starting Up and Keeping Up”— Through Education and Braford Genetics With Rhea Shields, S5 Farms By Courtney Wesner, Freelance Writer

The new marketplace is more competitive than ever, from both a domestic and an international point of view. As beef producers, we read about the volatility of the market and about the unknowns to come. We talk more now about changing weather patterns and increasing costs. The outlook on the cattle business today is grim at best for the young and hopeful beef producers out there trying to give it a go.

kill and passion have always been long-time livestock evaluator Jary Douglas. requirements to make it as a farmer “Jary was always around. I can or rancher; however, skill and passion on remember him judging our District Show their own were hardly enough to start up when I was 9 years old. I went to judging and keep up in the beef business of the camps at NEO from the age of 11, all past. Capital proved to be the limiting the way thorough high school, and I can factor and the primary barrier to entry. truthfully say that the skill set I gained The Braford breed has an exemplary through that, in selecting cattle and model of how access to information and being able to reason and talk about what the ability to apply it prove to be the I was seeing and doing, has made me, in most substantial advantages for young large part, the producer that I am today,” producers. That example comes to us in explained Rhea. Rhea Shields of S5 Farms. Rhea is living Through that developed eye, a skill proof that this competitive environment began to arise, and through that skill, a has changed the primary barrier to breeding philosophy was born that governs entry in production agriculture from S5 today. working capital to held knowledge at “Cattle have to be reproductive. They Rhea using show ring performance have to breed back and raise a calf every present. His ability to leverage skill and knowledge through a lifelong relationship to market cattle. year. To raise that calf, they have to milk. with education has allowed him to I breed for cows and bulls first. By that, be a participant in the beef business of 2017 and a I mean sound, functional cattle with some body and contributing seedstock breeder. doability. Muscle, bone and look are those things that It is not hard to see where Rhea’s drive for knowledge can be added at any time, but you can’t get to the adding comes from, his family has always been devoted to point if you don’t have the reproductive traits to get you getting an education and educating others. His father, there,” said Shields. Tommy Shields, III, served as an Extension Educator for From NEO, Rhea made his way to Louisiana State Louisiana State University for 30 years before retiring. University (LSU). While at LSU, Rhea not only received “With Dad working in Extension, it was a given that a classical, textbook education that led to a master’s we would grow up in 4-H. If Dad didn’t believe in the degree, but he also served as the Beef Unit Manager. program enough to put his own kids through it, that During his seven years there, he had the opportunity to would have been saying something. Needless to say, he learn about how research is conducted on the ground believed in his programming and thought enough of it to level, and he was also provided with something that put us through it,” Shields shared. young producers can never underestimate the value of. Rhea’s initial exposure to financial literacy came The University provided a safe environment, free from through 4-H. “Dad bought our first project. From there financial barriers, limitations or risks, where he could it was up to us to feed it out, turn a profit and buy the make decisions and learn from them. next one. It continued like that for 10 years,” says Shields. “While at LSU, I was lucky enough to be surrounded Like most producers of today, Rhea is not alone in that with brilliant individuals, in particular, Dr. Don Franke, his first encounter with hands on, experiential learning who taught me about available technology and the stuck, and through the Make the Best Better motto, a research side of production. All of this happened under love and determination to educate himself and overcome the safety of the University’s umbrella. To make it even challenges through knowledge were born. better, I got to develop a Braford herd in the process, The next step for Rhea Shields was a college education. which has carried over to S5 workings,” said Shields. He Starting out at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (NEO), Rhea further expanded, “I realize that not everyone will get the was a member of the collegiate judging team coached by opportunity to learn and operate under the University

Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017 l BRAFORD news

setting like I was fortunate enough the “economies of size” barrier technology in EPDs, the study of to do; but it doesn’t diminish the to entry (reaching a large enough Hereford genetics and his keen eye necessity of working for and learning volume of production and sales to for quality livestock to purchase from someone else to start out.” profit on a per unit of production value-added cattle at a less than Today Shields owns and operates basis) can be overcome as well. The developed price, be that at the local S5 Farms with his father in a 50/50 breeding herd at S5 stems primarily sale barn or in a production sale split. Located in environment. Iowa, Louisiana, S5 is now “It just goes to show that you don’t have to be a property home to 70 head the cattle are run on 280 acres of of breeding-age owner anymore to participate in beef production.” leased pasture females and a pen ground. of 10 replacement “It just goes heifers. Quality to show that was not sacrificed you don’t have throughout the to be a property expansion period, owner anymore and S5 now calves to participate in in three defined beef production. 45-day periods. Between dad and This helps me, we own 40 not only with acres, but we utilize management, 320 acres of land in but also proves our operation,” said that large, Shields. Pasture synchronized land is selling for numbers of $3,000 to $5,000 females do per acre in the not have to be Lake Charles area, purchased at a and the average higher price in producer can order to start an S5 Consignment to the March 2017 Advancing the Braford Breed Sale run three cows operation with a per acre; making clean slate. leasing a cost-effective solution for from one Remington-bred Hereford “We have set a goal to expand to S5. “We obviously don’t do much of female that was purchased from 100 head; but we have decided that any permanent work on the leased LSU when the college made the will happen when it is supposed to property; but with that being said, decision to switch from making happen. We refuse to ignore quality Dad and I put $50 per acre back into purebred Hereford seedstock to and go after quantity; especially the leased ground, that $50 may raising composite Braford cattle. The in the cattle environment that we come through spraying, bushhogging breeding herd at S5 Farms developed are in right now. The hardiness or fertilizing,” explained Shields. primarily by multiplying a few core and usefulness of the Braford cow When it comes to herd expansion, females and keeping the female minimizes our risk in itself, and the Shields family has overcome the progeny. Rhea has also made a habit we decided to take the patient and odds and proved that with patience of using his knowledge of available persistent route to herd expansion so Braford calves on leased ground.

6 BRAFORD news l Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017

as to keep our chances for success high,” explained Shields. Rhea is quick to point toward continuing education and the utilization of technologies such as EPDs, ultrasound, the UBB Bull Development Program, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, sexed semen, database reporting, Braford’s Planned Mating Calculator and many more as the roots to his successful entry as a young producer. “Braford is so unique in that we have a cattle that will go out and graze, and move and scrap for the producer. These cattle are made to make money in otherwise ungrazable, Halter-breaking unlivable session at S5 to environments. add value. Take that and responsibly add the technology that is available in the beef industry today and the results are something that can start a young person without much of anything else,” Tommy (father), Willie Danos (famisaid Rhea. ly friend), Rhea and “I spend at Stout, durable S5 bull on test at Graham Land Jesse (brother) and Cattle. least two hours a week on the geneticist in Rodney Roberson, a vet phone, learning something. Whether in Dr. Harvey, you get the idea. We it’s talking to the guys at TransOva, have a lot of breeders with a lot of commercial breeders in the area, expertise and knowledge. You just consulting on new Hereford genetics can’t be afraid to ask and dig, and available or just consulting for or most importantly, don’t forget to visiting with another Braford breeder, listen,” explains Shields. Shields also it doesn’t matter, just a few hours. In points to the importance of print our Braford membership we have a media in his continuing education.

“I get emails every day from beef industry publications that hold the keys to many different production questions if you are willing to take the time and read them,” Shields expanded. The new marketplace may be more competitive than ever, the cattle cycle may have re-started, expenses may be rising. Shields is a tangible example of how, in the cattle industry of 2017, there are more opportunities for young producers to control and lease land than before. There is a plethora of opportunities to gain knowledge that translates to tangible skills. These skills then allow producers a way to add value to their product and separate themselves from the base market point. Access to capital may have been the barrier to getting started in the cattle industry 20 to 30 years ago; but today the primary barrier is knowledge, the ability to gain access to information and apply that information. There is no doubt that it is still an uphill battle for the young producer to enter the field. Significant advantages still lie with those who have family ties to an operation and its resources. However, with knowledge, skill, passion and patience, a producer can both find a place and keep a place in today’s beef business.

Looking for resources to sharpen your cattle production knowledge? EXTENSION Extension gives you access to the land-grant university resources in your state, offering everything from publications to educational events and networking to share scientific research and the latest technology. It’s more than just 4-H! Contact your local agriculture agent or state specialist.

MAGAZINES Magazine publications both in print and online offer great insight into production methods for your region. Check out the free subscriptions to the nation’s oldest livestock publication, Drovers; the leading cattle publication in America, BEEF magazine; and the beef industry’s practical resource, Progressive Cattleman.

VETERINARIAN A veterinarian’s knowledge runs far beyond just diagnosis and treatment. Develop a strong relationship with your veterinarian

to utilize his or her knowledge as a consultant on profit-inducing areas like reproductive technology and preventative herd health management.

BREED ASSOCIATIONS Breed Association publications can help in keeping up with association and industry happenings, knowing who’s who of the breed, studying pedigrees and identifying your market.

INDUSTRY SALES Sales representatives might have an alternative motive for producer education, but they have a wealth of knowledge that they’re willing to share which can be incredibly helpful to your production practices. Developing strong contacts with semen, feed, pharmaceutical, seed and fertilizer sales representatives is a great asset. They can help you evaluate your mineral needs, suggest herd health routines and much, much more.

Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017 l BRAFORD news

Junior Focus

Kylea Mansfield, UBB Ambassador

all me a rookie if you will, but I have hit the ground running as your 2016/2017 ambassador, national and state officer. When I first joined the UBB, the Sheffield family showed me the ropes of showing. Coming from a family of golfers and living in the middle of the city, I know how tough it is to be the odd man out when it comes to liking regular hobbies. Mine started out with rodeo. I have been on a horse for as long as I can remember. Not a day goes by that I regret being different, whether it was wanting to play in the mud when I was little or to go to a rodeo to actually watch the rodeo, or even compete in it. This has been my first year showing cattle. I was very nervous about starting this new chapter in my life. I had to step out of my comfort zone. I showed goats for two years, so I had an idea of how to show cattle and what I needed to do. The friendliness of everyone at shows made me feel welcome. My being the farm girl of the family was weird for my mom, who had to transfer from the country club to the barns. She has been a huge supporter. My first show

NATIONAL JUNIOR BRAFORD ASSOCIATION was in Laredo. I was very but doing so teaches you 2016-17 excited and was welcomed to always be humble in by everyone there. I winning and gracious in OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS immediately felt like a defeat. OFFICERS member of the family. With the Houston show President Jamie Davis From then on, I knew I just around the corner, Pearland, Texas would love showing. I have put my time into Vice President Getting my feet wet preparing my scrapbook Hayden Hyman in Laredo made me fall and backdrop. I am very Fouke, Arkansas in love with showing excited to see all of the Secretary Brafords. Now that I people I scrambled with Kylea Mansfield have gotten the hang of and their projects. I hope Katy, Texas showing, I never want to all of our hard work pays Treasurer leave the ring. It’s exciting off. I have been to Laredo, Ryan Danos when a judge comes over Texas, to Texarkana, Iowa, Louisiana to my heifer and I have her Arkansas, then to Reporter set up and she’s looking Shreveport, Louisiana, and Bailee O’ Brien Fort Worth, Texas great, and then there are on to Jackson, Mississippi. the times when she doesn’t I’ve had fun at all the UBB AMBASSADORS want to listen. No matter majors I have been to. So, what the outcome, I always I guess you can no longer Maeleigh Conner remember to keep my head call me a rookie. Grand Lake, Louisiana up. You never know who is Whether you’re a rookie Jamie Davis watching. There could be or a veteran, always keep Pearland, Texas little eyes watching from your head up and cherish Hayden Hyman a distance, wishing and the time you have in the Fouke, Arkansas dreaming to grow up and show ring. Never let a Bailee O’ Brien be just like you. Be the moment pass you by! Fort Worth, Texas person in the ring that you would want to watch and Kylea Mansfield cheer on. Katy, Texas No matter what happens, always keep your head up. There will be another show. Don’t get down on yourself for what one judge says one day. There will be plenty more shows with many more judges. Never let one show define who you are or what you think about yourself or your animal. It’s never easy to lose and to congratulate A special thanks to NJBA Ambassadors Hayden Hyman of Arkansas, your opponents Kylea Mansfield of Texas and Bailee O’Brien of Texas for their help in the ring on their win, at the Fort Worth Stock Show.

8 BRAFORD news l Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017

Your best source for Braford semen! RMR Ranger’s Legacy 6180 RM MUSCLES LAD 7010 (89272) Sire: RMR MUSCLES LAD 0148 (99669) RM PROSPECTRESS 6010 (86316) RANGER (027740) Dam: GDQ RANGERETT 981 PRN (88579) GDQ TN VICTORIA 787 (P18781988)

EPD Acc %Rank

RCM 2149 Davidson 9182 RCR CHAMP B615 (83996) Sire: RCM 615 HARLEY ET (105323) EG MS ONE STEP 904E (R14185)

BW: 68 WW: NA YW: NA Weight: 2,230 Height: NA Frame: NA SC: 40 cm.

Reg. #111932 • CSS Exportable semen available • Deep bodied, extra length, polled • Producing beautiful daughters with high maternal value • Top 1% for Milk, CW, FAT, REA and MARB • Top 10% for BW, top 8% TM • With over 100 registered offspring, Legacy is a maternal giant

BW BWM WW YW Milk TM CW Fat REA Marb -1.8 0.7 8 13 9 13 39 -0.060 0.21 0.35 .77 .67 .72 .66 .51 - .53 .42 .42 .30 5 5 80 75 9 30 1 5 5 1

Reg. #122452

BW: 78 WW: NA YW: 962 Weight: 2,085 Height: NA Frame: 6.3 SC: 40 cm.

• Grand Champion Bull — 2011 HLSR • Deep, soggy made bull with a great look • Reserve Champion — Fort Worth 2010 and 2011 MR AR 515 (82609) • 2010 Braford Show Bull of the Year Dam: AR MS FT WORTH 7182 (93729) • Full sibling to the 2-time National MS AR 577 (90760) Champion Female • Top 20% for CW top 18% for REA and top 15% for MARB BW BWM WW YW Milk TM CW Fat REA Marb EPD 1.2 2.2 15 21 1 9 19 0.040 0.18 0.02 • CSS qualified exportable semen available

Acc .58 .27 .23 .17 .07 - .08 .03 .04 .01 %Rank 55 70 40 50 85 55 10 5 10 25

LSU Mr 2515 657 C4 MR 189 9605 (102748) Sire: LSU MR 2515 (107844) EE 206 MSL1 5228 1ET (H19547282)

Reg. #111766 BW: 82 WW: 657 YW: 1,125 Weight: 2,350 Height: NA Frame: NA SC: 45 cm.

• • • • • • •

Deep ribbed with extra length Free moving, attractive and extremely sound Outcross pedigree for most breeding programs Grand Champion Bull – 2008 Louisiana State Fair EG TCR CHAL 3157 (R24687) Grand Champion Bull — 2008 Shreveport Show Dam: MS LSU 2042 (105919) Grand Champion Bull — 2009 Fort Worth MS LSUAC 2 (100757) Calving ease sire with performance and added carcass weight BW BWM WW YW Milk TM CW Fat REA Marb • Top 9% for WW EPD 0.4 3.0 16 22 8 16 22 0.070 0.18 0.06 • Top 1% for Milk, TM, CW and REA Acc .45 .26 .32 .25 .12 - .19 .07 .11 .01 • CSS exportable semen available

%Rank 30 95 35 45 5 15 10 95 20 10

BDB Master Fredrick 019 #102283 Edengarry Emperor 1845 #122493 LSU Mr. 2515 657 #111766 RCM 2149 Davidson 9182 #122452 RCR Champ B615 #83996 RMR Ranger’s Legacy 6180 #111932

$25.00 $30.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $30.00

Semen & Embryo Sales AI & ET Equipment Sales TruTest Scales AI/Palpitation Clinics Professional Exporting Semen & Embryo Warehousing AI Consulting

3300 Longmire Drive • College Station, TX 77845 (979) 693-0388 • (800) 786-4066 • (979) 693-7994 Fax carl@bovine-elite.com • www.bovine-elite.com

Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017 l BRAFORD news

Meet Your Newly Elected 2017-2020 UBB Directors

r. Jim W. Harvey is your new Region One, Florida, Director and he is also a Veterinarian. He and his wife Rene live in Okeechobee, Florida, and have two sons, Jim Jr. and Josh; one daughter, Jacqueline; eight grandchildren and one great niece, Isabella. Isabella is a Junior UBB member who will be showing for her first time this year, and she has chosen a Braford heifer named “Holly”. Dr. Jim W. Harvey Dr. Harvey graduated from Auburn University in 1978, and has practiced veterinary medicine in Okeechobee since that time. He also owns Jim Harvey Ranch, which was originally Harvey Farms owned by his parents, Charles W. and Clois J. Harvey. Jim Harvey Ranch proudly raises Purebred Brafords, Brahmans, Herefords and commercial cattle. Dr. Harvey’s hobbies include cattle, cattle and more cattle! His wife declares that cattle are his true addiction. Jim is also the Chairman of Advancing the Breed Braford Bull Sale, which has been held in Lake Charles, Louisiana for the past several years.

breeders. “Being part of the UBB is like having extended family. It has been great to watch our family and our cattle grow,” said Stanberry. “With such a great product, our ranch slogan at LS Brafords is Visitors Always Welcome.”

aul Harris of Greenview Farms in Screven, Greorgia, will be rejoining the board, representing Region Four, All Other States. Greenview Farms produces F1 Brafords from Victor-based Polled Hereford dams and is currently using some Hudgins Gray Brahman sires. Greenview started its Polled Hereford herd in 1942 and began crossing them with Brahman bulls in 1983. Paul Harris Paul is happy to be rejoining the board and working with the other board members to help continue the success of the UBB.

arry Stanberry will be rejoining the UBB Board of Directors to represent Region Three, Texas. Larry operates LS Brafords located in Grand Saline, Texas. He and his wife Sonja have been raising Braford cattle since 1999. Since buying their first Braford bull they have been very impressed with the cattle and how well they have performed in the environment. Stanberry knew Larry Stanberry early on that Brafords were a good fit for their operation. Over the years they have worked hard to make their Braford cattle better and grow the association. Stanberry enjoys the many ways to participate in the UBB and the activities and events each year that allow him to interact with friends and

Corey Doucet

orey Doucet will be representing Region Two, Lousiana. Corey, his wife Jodie and children, Christian and Hannah have Doucet Brafords, a family operation based in Sweet Lake, Lousiana. In addition to raising Braford cattle, Corey works as a dockside manager for EPS Logistics. Corey is looking forward to his first term on the United Braford Breeders Board of Directors.

A good leader can engage in a debate frankly and thoroughly, knowing that at the end he and the other side must be closer, and thus emerge stronger. — Nelson Mandela 10 BRAFORD news l Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017

Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017 l BRAFORD news

n o i t a c a V Summer

y l i m a F e l o h For TheW

July 13-16, 2017 Harrison County Fairgrounds 15321 County Farm Rd Gulfport, MS 39503 Braford and Braford Base Heifer and Bull Shows Weaver Livestock Educational Clinic

! y il m a f le o h w e th Fun for GULF COAST BEACHES ZIP-LINE PARK SHIP ISLAND EXCURSIONS WINERIES CASINOS GOLF COURSES OUTLET MALLS Look for schedule and hotel information to come soon! Visit www.brafords.org/allamerican Questions? Hannah Wine, UBB Executive Director, 540.272.1682, hwine@brafords.org Amanda Lee, All American Host, 985.630.6882, amanda.lee08@yahoo.com 12 BRAFORD news l Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017

Raising F1s in Winnie, Texas, for 99 Years By Hannah Wine

In the southeast corner of Texas, just 20 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, is the small town of Winnie. For 99 years, Winnie has been home to the Bauer Ranch and an elite herd of F1 Braford cattle. Today fourth generation rancher Lance Bauer and his father Tim continue to reap the benefits of maximum heterosis of the Hereford/Brahman cross as they emphasize superior disposition in their selection decisions.

In 1918 George Bauer came to Winnie, Texas, and started Bauer Ranch and the F1 program. George is pictured here with a group of Manso-bred Brahman cows at the Bauer Ranch in the early 1950s.

“M

y family came over to the United States in the early 1900s from Germany and settled in Illinois. In 1918 my great grandfather, George Bauer, came south to Winnie, where he bought what would become the Bauer Ranch. George and his two sons began raising F1 Brafords on the land. Back then they had both Hereford and Brahman cows and Hereford and Brahman bulls. Our family had always bought their Brahman bulls from J.D. Hudgins. Today we do things a little differently, we have a herd of Brahman cows that we use Hereford bulls on,” Lance explained. The Bauer Ranch has stood the test of time, and it has seen its share of changes, too. “In the 1950s our family ranch ran about 800 head. They built one of the earliest feedlots here in south Texas to feed out their own cattle and market directly to the packers. In the 1950s the Bauer Family built one of the earliest feedlots here in south When George passed away, the ranch was divided Texas to feed out their own cattle and market directly to packers. but my grandfather, Leroy, continued to run cattle, downsizing to about 300 to 400 F1s,” Lance said. what my dad did, and I want to carry it on. In our area, with In the early 2000s, the Bauer Ranch made a dramatic a lot of people raising cattle in the marsh and with the heat change when they sold all of their cattle. “I was away element that we have here in Texas, the F1s really work, and serving in the Air Force, and our family was caring for my it’s that, mixed with a strong sense of family history, that grandfather before he eventually passed away in 2006. After has allowed it to continue.” he passed, my dad decided it was time to return to the F1 The Hudgins Manso breeding has a history of its own family tradition,” said Lance. that explains the docility factor. In 1933 Walter Hudgins Holding true to the family tradition, Tim went back to went to pick up the original Manso at the Gayle Ranch to some of the same pastures that started the Bauer Ranch transport him home. There was no permanent loadout herd to restock and restart. “We went to J.D. Hudgins and facility so Walter made a makeshift chute and loading dock, bought all our Brahman cows. We really like the docility of and haltered the bull, which had never worn a halter before. the Hudgins Manso-bred Brahman cattle. The main reason For the trek home, Manso was tied to the truck floor to keep we raise F1 cattle is to carry on the family tradition. It’s him from jumping out of the homemade cattle rack in the what my great grandfather did, my grandfather did and back of the Model A Ford pickup. Today, the Manso-bred

Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017 l BRAFORD news

cattle still set the standard at the the land, which is great, but J.D. Hudgins Ranch. These cattle we’ve got to ready it for the cattle have become a household name and get the infrastructure side of due to their type, conformation, it taken care of.” size and disposition. The heritability of docility “There’s something special in beef cattle tends to range about the docility in the JD anywhere between moderately Hudgins Manso bloodlines, to highly heritable, and the they’re just quiet as can be. Bauer Ranch has proven that We want our cows to be gentle science to be true, through but also take good care of the selection pressure that the these calves and protect them,” ranch has applied on the trait explained Lance. over time. However, the Bauers It is the continued lineage of also focus on the environmental Manso and strong emphasis on “When we work cows in the pens, we’re old school. We use canes. component of docility. Extra disposition that adds significant I use a cane that my grandfather used when he worked cows,” care and caution is used to value to the F1s produced at the Lance explained. work the cattle in a low-stress Bauer Ranch today. “We hold environment the three times a onto as many of our heifers year that cows are worked at the as we can to use them in our ranch. “Working cows is a family commercial herd. The only effort with all hands on deck. My heifers we sell are to kids in FFA dad and I gather our cattle on a that are showing cattle locally Gator, but we mainly work them as we aim to support the youth on foot, occasionally popping a in our small town and our local whip to the ground to drive the FFA program. We have all our cows down a lane that funnels Brahman cows and we have a them to the corrals. When we group of F1 heifers that we’re work cows in the pens, we’re old breeding commercially to Red school. We use canes. I use a Angus bulls. We aim to use the cane that my grandfather used income from the F1 commercial when he worked cows,” Lance herd to replace our Brahmans. explained. On occasion heifers are sold to local FFA youth to campaign Today we have about 60 pairs A Family Affair at nearby shows. and we’re about a year out from It’s all hands on deck every getting 100 cows, and long term day for the entire Bauer Family. our F1 females in our commercial we’d like to aim for 200 pairs “The ranch is a family affair program. Right now we’re building since we have the capacity here on and more than just a working cattle fence, running water lines and the ranch. We’d like to have a mix of ranch. As for what we do at the ranch, building new loafing sheds. We have continuing our F1 program and use the answer is simple, weddings and Second generation F1 breeder Leroy Bauer with a Hudgins bull. In the early years of Bauer Ranch the family ran both Hereford and Brahman cows and bulls to produce F1. Today the ranch uses Hereford bulls on Brahman cows.

Tim Bauer selecting cattle with Joe Hudgins in 2013.

(Above right) Lance pens a group of docile Manso-bred cows on foot. (At right) For generations the Bauer family has replenished their Brahman cow base with J.D. Hudgins genetics. 14 BRAFORD news l Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017

Lance and his father Tim manage the cowherd together. Tim shown here on branding day. When it comes time to work cows, the entire Bauer Family is involved. Lance’s wife Lisa takes care of chute side record keeping.

cows. We have a wedding venue with a party barn. We do corporate events. My mom, Vicki, is quite the entertainer, and she puts on all the events along with help from my wife Lisa, and my dad and I run the cows with help from my son Ethan,” said Lance. Record keeping is an important tool for the Bauer Ranch and a family affair at all levels of production. “My wife records all the data chute side. She laughs that all she does is sit there, but it’s a critical job. I use CattleMax to record all my data, it makes record keeping so much easier. We collect birthweights on all of our calves. We built a cage around a pallet on our tractor forks and we rope the calves, put them in the cage, raise the pallet in the air just for safety sake, and tag and weigh the calves,” says Lance. Continuing to Learn While ranching is in Lance’s blood, continuing education has been a critical component in the continuation of the ranch. “I was in the Air Force for 20 years. When I retired in 2014, I came home to the ranch to help my dad fulltime, and it’s been baptism by fire. About two months before I moved

home my dad fell 14 feet head first off a roof. It was a miracle that he survived, but it really made me panic because there was so much left he had to teach me. My dad learned how to raise cattle from his dad. I have learned in that same way, but I’m also the type that goes to the Beef Cattle Short Course and continuing education courses. I want to keep learning more. My continuing education has changed the dynamics of the ranch. For the technical information, my dad leans on me, but we work on a combination of his knowledge base and what current information I keep up with,” Lance said. As part of a continuing education effort and the search for a new marketing approach, the Bauer Ranch pursued the United Braford Breeders Bull Development Program in 2015. “I wanted to get involved with the Bull Development program to keep learning. But, we didn’t want to have so many F1s in the Advancing the Braford Breed sale that it takes away from the Braford side of things. Spring of 2016 was our first sale, and we had a great experience all around with the Bull Development Program and sale. It has worked out really well for us and we’ve had happy customers. It’s been a new avenue for us to market bulls.” Sale Manager Mark Cowan of American Marketing Services commented on the Bauer Ranch bull consignments’ disposition. “They’re possibly the quietest bunch of F1 bulls I’ve ever seen and worked in a pen. They’re gentle as can be,” Cowan remarked.

The Bauer Ranch has pursued several different tactics to reach new customers beyond the UBB Bull Development Program. “We’re part of the Southeast Texas Independent Cattlemen’s Chapter and we sell some of our cattle in the Independent Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) sales. We’ve had some good luck utilizing Facebook. My son does quite a bit of design work for us and we’re at work on setting up our website. A lot of our marketing is still done the oldfashioned way, by word of mouth, but times are changing and we want to make sure we’re hitting all avenues,” explained Lance. Next year, 2018, will mark 100 years for the Bauer Ranch. Although the family looks back to family history, they also look forward to the future. “With my family having a history of raising F1 cattle, it’s great to be a part of the Braford family. I really enjoy what I’ve been learning with UBB and we plan to be members for a long time to come. I hope to pass this tradition of raising cattle on to the kids. I don’t know what the future holds, but I sure hope that my kids or my sibling’s kids want to keep it going,” Lance concluded.

Pictured here is Tim Bauer catching a break from working cows with his wife Vicki, who handles the wedding venue at their Southeast Texas ranch.

Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017 l BRAFORD news

Danny Boudreaux 337-905-2330 Cell 337-249-9066 3475 Grand Chenier Hwy. Grand Chenier, LA 70643 boudreauxandson@camtel.net

Michael Boudreaux Cell 337-303-4167 162 Eugene Rd. Lake Charles, LA 70607 mlbbrafords@yahoo.com

Heifers, Low Birth Weight Bulls and Semen Available

For information on sale cattle, see our website at

www.redoakbraford.com Joe, Marshall and John Ellis 1676 Anderson C.R. 323 Palestine, TX 75803

Joe 903.876.3334 903.330.1257 Cell hollywoodjellis@aol.com

Selling some of our very best this Spring!

Two halter-broke females sired by RCC Rolling Thunder sell at the

REGISTERED BRAFORDS

INTERNATIONAL BRAFORD SALE Friday, March 10 | 7 p.m.

LS Brafords

Lot 7 We’re offering two elite females in Houston at the International Braford Sale, March 10 Lots 7 & 8 Wade and Lynette Granger 675 Grangerville Rd. • Bell City, LA 70630 337.598.2759 • grangercattleco@camtel.net 16 BRAFORD news l Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017

Larry and Sonja Stanberry 903.962.7219 Home 214.924.9202 Cell 996 C.R. 1805 Grand Saline, TX 75140 istanberry@rearthlink.net Visitors Always Welcome

Association News 2017 UBB Annual Meeting and National Show Schedule of Events: THURSDAY, MARCH 9

2017 United Braford Breeders Annual Meeting and National Show in Houston

Members of the United Braford Breeders (UBB) will gather in Houston on March 9 through 12, for the 2017 annual meeting and national show. The International Braford Sale will be held Friday evening at 7 p.m. in the East Arena and will feature 14 elite Braford females, bulls, and two herd picks. Plan to join us before the sale for supper sponsored by Boudreaux and Son Brafords and LS Brafords at 6 p.m. Look for sale catalog online at www.brafords.org. On Saturday, March 11, the annual membership meeting, which is open to the public, will start at 2:30 p.m. in the Cafe on Park on the second floor of the NRG Center. The UBB Show Heifer and Show Bull of the Year winners will be announced, annual UBB awards will be presented, and the newly elected UBB Directors will be introduced. On Sunday, March 12, the National Braford Show and F1 Female Show will be judged by PJ Budler of Fort Worth, Texas. For those who can’t make the trip to Houston, show results will be available online at www.brafords.org. The Crowne Plaza at Reliant Park will host the United Braford Breeders again this year. To make reservations at the Crowne Plaza, call 713.748.3221.

Cattle Arrive at Houston Livestock Show (NRG Center)

FRIDAY, MARCH 10 10 a.m. -- UBB Board of Directors Meeting (Crowne Plaza) 6 p.m. -- Pre-Sale Supper (NRG Center East Arena) 7 p.m. -- Braford International Sale of Sales (NRG Center East Arena)

SATURDAY, MARCH 11 2:30 p.m. -- Annual Membership Meeting (Cafe on the Park, Level 2 of the NRG Center)

SUNDAY, MARCH 12 8 a.m. -- National Braford Show followed by F1 Female Show (NRG Center)

2017 NJBA All American Slated for July 13-16

Amanda Gross (Amanda Lee) and family will be hosting the 2017 All American Braford Show July 13-16 in Gulfport, Mississippi. The All American is much, much more than just a Braford and Braford Base cattle show. The event is jam packed with all sorts of contests like showmanship, judging, sales talk, quiz bowl and much more. Weaver Livestock and Leather will be providing a free educational session for all exhibitors. Make plans to join us and look for schedule and hotel information March 1 at www.brafords. org/allamerican. Entries due June 1.

Jeannie Fontenot, will be held June 9-11 at the Dean Lee Research Station in Alexandria. Cattle may begin arriving on June 8 after 2:00 p.m. To be eligible for the Louisiana Junior Braford Breeders (LJBB) Summer Show, animals must be owned by the exhibitor by June 1, 2017, as reflected by the ‘Date of Ownership’ field on the UBB registration certificate. If entering a calf with pending registration papers, please send LJBB advisorAngelia Conner paperwork with birth date and a copy of the registration paper via email as soon as the registration paper is received. Please note that exhibitors must be a member in good standing with the LJBB by May 1, 2017. For questions or more information, please contact LJBB advisor Angelia Conner at 337.249.9070 or angeliaconner07@gmail.com.

Welcome to the World!

We are happy to warmly welcome a new future Braford cattleman into the world. UBB Director Zach Adams and Courtney Adams of Kenansville, Florida, are proud to announce the arrival of Zane Clay Adams, January 16, 2017, 7 pounds 15 ounces and 19.5 inches. New dad Zach reports, “Everyone is well and Zane loves to be outside checking cows with me!”

2017 Louisiana Junior Braford Summer Show

This year’s show, hosted by Vince and Stacy Deshotel and Michael and

Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017 l BRAFORD news

TEXAS CATTLE FEVER TICKS ARE BACK WITH A VENGEANCE By Steve Byrns, Texas AgriLife Extension

Texas cattle fever ticks, which made Texas longhorns the pariah of the plains in the late 1800s, are once again expanding their range with infestations detected in Live Oak, Willacy and Kleberg counties, said Texas A&M AgriLife experts.

s of February 1, more “Texas cattle fever was than 500,000 acres in ultimately linked to ticks Texas are under various brought along by the Texas quarantines outside of the longhorns,” Teel said. “These permanent quarantine zone. ticks were appropriately named Dr. Pete Teel, Texas Texas cattle fever ticks, due to A&M AgriLife Research their ability to transmit a feverentomologist at College causing agent from infected to Station, said the vigilance uninfected cattle.” and cooperation of regulatory By 1906, Teel said, it was agencies, namely the Texas determined these ticks and Animal Health Commission Texas cattle fever were found and the U.S. Department of throughout 14 southern Agriculture and the Animal states and were limiting the Cattle fever tick quarantine road sign in South Texas. (Texas A&M and Plant Health Service, in economic development of the AgriLife photo) collaboration with the livestock region. It was also discovered and wildlife industries, are needed to detect, contain and that procedures separating cattle from these ticks was eliminate cattle fever ticks. essential to disease prevention and tick elimination. Because there is no cure for tick fever, a series of “State and federal eradication programs with industry quarantine levels is used to prevent animal movement and support began in 1906 and slowly eradicated the disease by the spread of a fever tick infestation, and to permit animal eliminating these specific ticks from the eastern seaboard treatments for tick elimination. For an explanation of these to the Texas-Mexico border, a task declared completed in quarantines, see http://bit.ly/2jkqTNX. the 1940s,” he said. “A permanent buffer zone was created “We’ve been responding to calls for several weeks now and has been maintained ever since along the international stemming from this outbreak,” border from Del Rio to the said Dr. Sonja Swiger, Texas mouth of the Rio Grande to A&M AgriLife Extension Service prevent re-establishment of ticks veterinary entomologist at from Mexico, where both ticks Stephenville. and pathogens remain.” “Most of Texas has been Since the 1970s, there have shielded from this problem for so been periodic incursions of long that there is little memory these ticks into Texas. One of what it took to be able to enjoy such incursion is happening the benefit,” she said. “Now when now, requiring quarantine and producers are confronted with eradication to prevent their the issue without knowledge of spread, he said. the history and biology and risks “However, the success of this associated with cattle fever, they program has protected our cattle are overwhelmed.” industry from the risks of disease Southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus. Teel said the historic cattle outbreaks by preventing contact (Texas A&M AgriLife photo) drives from Texas to railheads in with the tick vector for so long Missouri and Kansas in the late 1800s brought unwanted that most people do not remember the tremendous effort attention when local cattle died of a strange fever and significant benefits, and are often unaware that this associated with the arrival of Texas cattle. risk still exists,” Teel said. “Decades of changes in land-use,

18 BRAFORD news l Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017

“A successful hatch depends on moderate temperatures and high relative humidity more common to tree and brush covered areas than to open meadow or grass habitats” brush encroachment, expansion of native and exotic game, diversification of animal enterprises and variation in climatic cycles are contributing to new challenges in keeping this problem at bay.” How risky is the disease? Teel said the Southern Region of the U.S. is home to more than 400,000 cattle operations producing a third of all fed cattle in the country. This region is the original distribution location of these ticks before the eradication program, and climate modeling indicates it would still support these ticks today. Mortality in cattle without prior exposure to the disease is estimated to range from 70 to 90 percent. There are no protective vaccines and no approved drugs to treat sick animals in the U.S., he said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has estimated that if eradication of these ticks had not occurred, cattle industry losses across the southern U.S. today would be about $1 billion annually. The technical name for Texas cattle fever is bovine babesiosis, a name related to the organisms that infect the red blood cells of cattle. It is their destruction of the red blood cells that results in anemia, fever and death, Swiger said. “There are two closely related tick species capable of transmitting these pathogens, one called ‘the cattle tick,’ Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, and the other called ‘the southern cattle tick,’ R. microplus,” she said. “Both of these tick species and associated pathogens were introduced to the Western Hemisphere on livestock brought by early explorers and settlers from different parts of the world.” The origin of the cattle tick is the Mediterranean area, where climates are relatively temperate, while the southern cattle tick is from the tropics of the Indian sub-continent. Thus,

they were both successful in adapting to the southern climates of the U.S., as well as similar climates in Mexico, Central and South America, Teel said. Teel said fever ticks remain on the same animal through their larval, nymphal and adult stages all the way through until the blood-engorged females drop off the host animal. Once off the host, females lay from 2,500 to

Cattle tick in hand. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

4,000 eggs, and then die. The males remain on the animal to mate with more females. It takes 20 days from the time the larvae arrive on the host animal until the first females start dropping off, with the most females leaving the host at about Day 25. So, animal movement during this period allows ticks to be dropped into new locations. “A successful hatch depends on moderate temperatures and high relative humidity more common to tree and brush covered areas than to open meadow or grass habitats,” Teel said. “If ticks pick up the pathogen from their host during blood feeding, the pathogen is passed through the egg to the larvae of the next generation. No other tick species in the U.S. are capable of transmitting the pathogen of Texas cattle fever. “Cattle are the preferred host, and back when cattle were basically the only host, the ticks were much easier to control,” he said. “Today white-tailed deer and several exotic

ungulates including nilgai antelope serve as hosts. Nilgai, an imported exotic species that have naturalized in much of South Texas, are native to India and were historically noted as a host animal for the southern cattle tick in India. So what we’ve done is bring both the ticks and nilgai together again.” While there are many challenges to optimizing tick suppression where there is a mix of cattle, wildlife and feral ungulate hosts, Teel said research and technology development are providing new tools to meet these challenges. “AgriLife Research and the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service are collaborating to discover new and improved methods of detecting and eliminating cattle fever ticks,” he said. “These efforts include mining sequences of the DNA of both tick species to discover sites to disrupt functions such as tick feeding or egg laying, to identify targets for new pesticides, or genetic approaches for tick suppression or prevention of pathogen transmission. “There is evidence that the manure of tick-infested cattle contains detectable differences in chemical makeup compared to non-infested animals and may provide for improved methods of tick detection,” he said. “And, the complex interactions of tick-host-habitat-climate relationships through simulation modelling are currently being investigated to improve tactics and strategies for tick elimination where both wildlife and cattle are involved.” To learn more, Teel and Swiger recommend using Tick App, a free smartphone application available at http://tickapp.tamu.edu, and the Texas Animal Health Commission’s website at http://www.tahc.texas.gov/ regs/code.html for information on tick treatment options, tick quarantine and associated regulations, as well as the latest updates on current quarantines.

Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017 l BRAFORD news

Advancing the Braford Breed VIII Sale Lot 302

Lot 303

BW 1.8 WW 18 YW 30 MILK 6 REA 0.94

BW 1.3 WW 15 YW 22 MILK 6 REA 1.16

BR MANSO MP7X 989/54

BR MANSO B1024 282/55

Lot 305

Lot 306

BW 0.1 WW 14 YW 27 MILK 7 REA 1.05

BW 2.6 WW 21 YW 29 MILK 7 REA 1.18

BR MANSO MP7X 826/59

BR MANSO Y003 520/61

Lot 308

Lot 309

BW 4.3 WW 20 YW 31 MILK 7 REA 1.11

BR MANSO MP7X 220/71

H MANSO BLOODLINE H Bred from JD Hudgins Brahman Cattle

BW 2.8 WW 24 YW 37 MILK 6 REA 1.14

BR MANSO Y003 442/77

H Lance Bauer Winnie, Texas Lance@bauerranch.com

409-656-0484 H

H Bauer Ranch F1 Braford Bulls • Known For Gentle Disposition H 20 BRAFORD news l Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017

FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 2017 • 7 P.M. NRG EAST ARENA • HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO

Selling 11 elite, haltered Braford females and 2 herd picks JOIN US AT 6 P.M. FOR A CAJUN SUPPER! Sale catalog availabe at www.brafords.org/internationalbrafordsale

For more info contact Larry Stanberry, International Sale Co-Chair, 214.924.9202 Danny Boudreaux, International Sale Co-Chair, 337.249.9066 Robert Mills, UBB President, 903.676.8930 Hannah Wine, UBB Exectuive Director, 540.272.1682

Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017 l BRAFORD news

Show Results

2017 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Results Judge: Mark Ebeling of Burnet, TX

Female Show Results

Grand Champion Female: RCM 9182 Gidget 5718 exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX

Reserve Grand Champion Female: RCM 1764 Hadley 5147 exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX

Grand Champion Bull: RCM 9182 Online Sportster exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX

Resserve Grand Champion Bull: TR Genesis D105P ET exhibited by Thunderstorm R Cattle Company of Nacogdoches, TX 22 BRAFORD news l Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017

Class 1: S5 55 MS 601 exhibited by Ryan Danos of Iowa, LA Class 2: RCM 1703 Carmen 6161 exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX Class 3: HNH Muscles 1054 Babe exhibited by Hayden Hyman of Fouke, AR Champion Heifer Calf: HNH Muscles 1054 Babe exhibited by Hayden Hyman of Fouke, AR Reserve Champion Heifer Calf: S5 55 MS 601 exhibited by Ryan Danos of Iowa, LA Class 6: Savell’s L 254/3 exhibited by Hailey Sheffield of Pearland, TX Champion Fall Heifer: Savell’s L 254/3 exhibited by Hailey Sheffield of Pearland, TX Reserve Champion Fall Heifer: RCM 9182 Kate 5999 ET exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX Class 10: Miss WLCH Patty 15057 exhibited by Granger Cattle Company of Bell City, LA Class 12: RCM 1764 Hadley 5147 exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX Class 13: RCM 9182 Gidget 5718 exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX Champion Yearling Heifer: RCM 9182 Gidget 5718 exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX Reserve Champion Yearling Heifer: RCM 1764 Hadley 5147 exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX Grand Champion Female: RCM 9182 Gidget 5718 exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX Reserve Grand Champion Female: RCM 1764 Hadley 5147 exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX

Bull Show Results Class 22: LV LG Little Mr New Man 62 exhibited by Logan Vest of Iowa, LA Class 23: D D 2300 Daddy’s Money 1601 exhibited by Clayton Owens of Hillsboro, TX Class 24: TR Genesis D105P ET exhibited by Thunderstorm R Cattle Company of Nacogdoches, TX Champion Bull Calf: TR Genesis D105P ET exhibited by Thunderstorm R Cattle Company of Nacogdoches, TX Reserve Champion Bull Calf: LV LG Little Mr New Man 62 exhibited by Logan Vest of Iowa, LA Class 27: TR MT Dividend C101S ET exhibited by Thunderstorm R Cattle Company of Nacogdoches, TX Champion Fall Bull Calf: TR MT Dividend C101S ET exhibited by Thunderstorm R Cattle Company of Nacogdoches, TX Class 32: DHF Beef Commander 1504 exhibited by Cody Hannah of Huston, LA Class 33: RCM 9182 Classified 5145 exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX Class 34: RCM 9182 Stealth 5139 exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX Champion Yearling Bull: RCM 9182 Classified 5145 exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX Reserve Champion Yearling Bull: DHF Beef Commander 1504 exhibited by Cody Hannah of Huston, LA Class 39: RCM 9182 Online Sportster exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX Champion Senior Bull: RCM 9182 Online Sportster exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX Reserve Champion Senior Bull: MR HDG Red Bull 14034 exhibited by Mason Mhire of Welsh, LA Grand Champion Bull: RCM 9182 Online Sportster exhibited by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX Reserve Grand Champion Bull: TR Genesis D105P ET exhibited by Thunderstorm R Cattle Company of Nacogdoches, TX Breeders Best Six Head: Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX Get-of-sire: Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX Produce-of-dam: Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX

Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017 l BRAFORD news

AGUAYO RANCH

EST. 2003

Be sure to check out lots 4, 11 & 12 in the International Braford Sale

UAY

UAY O

MAKE YOUR MARK IN THE SHOW RING AND RAISE GOOD ONES FOR YEARS TO COME!

EST. 2003

NCH

Brynlee’s selling one of her best!

Lot 151 — #131144

Lot 4 - B/S SWEET TART 016

Look for Aguayo Ranch heifers and bulls, lots 133, 150, 151 and 152 March 16, 2017

Michael Boudreaux Cell 337-303-4167 162 Eugene Rd. Lake Charles, LA 70607 mlbbrafords@yahoo.com

Running

Steve & Belia Aguayo 936 -661-5570 saguayo@eastex.net

UAY

Danny Boudreaux 337-905-2330 Cell 337-249-9066 3475 Grand Chenier Hwy. Grand Chenier, LA 70643 boudreauxandson@camtel.net

ADVANCING THE BRAFORD BREED SALE Lake Charles, LA

EST. 2003

Registered UBB Brafords 3378 FM 946 N Oakhurst, TX 77359

NCH

Ranch

Our goal is to produce maternal, moderate framed cattle with lots of growth at weaning and yearling ages. We do not creep feed. We keep replacement heifers from those that were born in the first 60 days of our calving season. We look for structural soundness and use our records, EPDs and ultrasound in making mating decisions. We would like to show you our cattle!

Running

Ranch

4686 N.W. C.R. 150, Greenville, FL 32331 24 BRAFORD news l Volume 32 • Issue 1 • 2017

Call for more information

Payne Midyette Will Moncrief Kit Storey 850-566-6070 850-544-5195 850-464-0893