http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/RSS.ashxLate Fall SimTalk 2009 PagesTue, 13 Oct 2009 23:11:02 +0200http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=1http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=12009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=2http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=22009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=3http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=3CE – MM 10 MB .62 BW -2 MWW 23 BF .09 WW 26 Stay – REA -.19 YW 61 CW -3.1 API 121 MCE – YG .28 TI 71 CE 12 MM 0 MB .28 BW 0 MWW 15 BF .02 WW 30 Stay 17 REA .11 YW 48 CW -8.8 API 114 MCE 8 YG -.02 TI 64 CE – MM 10 MB .62 BW -2 MWW 23 BF .09 WW 26 Stay – REA -.19 YW 61 CW -3.1 API 121 MCE – YG .28 TI 71 Visit the Flying H development center near you for your next PC Performance Upgrade. Bulls available private treaty – check the web for details. Look for our upcoming spring sales: March 6 in Nebraska & March 20 in Missouri.2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=4http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=4VOLUME 17 – NO. 5 VIEH FEST La Muneca - Flores Braunvieh - Simbravieh Dispersal Linking SimGenetics to Commercial Cattle December 12, 2009 • 1 PM La Muñeca Ranch • 175 + Lots Table Of Contents HERD HEALTH AND MANAGEMENT 22 Beef Production In An Era of Higher prices By John D. Lawrence, Ph.D. 26 Hay Feeder Design Impacts Feeding Losses By Dan Buskirk, Ph.D. 30 Can Commercial Cattlemen Make AI Pay? WTR Baylee is our best cow and one of the best Braunviehs ever produced. We have flushed her to 11 sires of 3 breeds with all calves being keepers or selling for a good premium. Baylee, several full sibs, their dam — Bess, daughters, sons and frozen embryos all sell. A Once In A Lifetime Opportunity!! 90 Braunvieh females sell!! By Troy Smith 38 Culling Cows By Darrell Rankins, Ph.D. SIMGENETICS 8 Monitoring Defects By Jerry Lipsey, Ph.D. 10 Measuring Genetic Progress, Where Do We Stand? By Wade Shafer, Ph.D. 14 Bulls of the Big Sky By Dan Rieder LMC LF Shakira is one of 40+ Simbravieh females selling. The club calf market is awesome with the commercial cowman really liking the bulls. The La Muñeca fall crop is included. SIMBRAVIEH – the best kept secret in the Cow Business. 18 All About Relationships By Dan Rieder DEPARTMENTS 6 40 52 54 56 Tomcat is one of 40 Braunvieh, Simbravieh and Simbrah bulls selling. He is sired by the #1 Marbling bull of the breed and is out of the famous Lifeline cow — a Phenomenon daughter. These bulls will add carcass merit, hybrid vigor and CONSUMER DEMAND to your next calf crop!! Semen bank also sells!! How Are We Doing? Research and New Products Calendar of Events Rates & Policies Ad Index Marty Ropp Director of Field Services and Western Region 1 Simmental Way Bozeman, MT 59715 406-581-7835 mropp@simmgene.com About the cover: Yearling bulls grown out on Big Sky Country range. Photo by Marty Ropp. Jeremie Ruble Eastern Region Field Representative 3550 Kennesaw Dr. Apt #6 Lexington, KY 40515 406-581-7940 jruble@simmgene.com Your SimGenetic Regional Customer Service Representatives LMC LF Denzel is one of ten awesome Simbrah bulls selling. He is sired by the immortal JW Black and the famous champion LMC Swan cow. A major league show and herd bull prospect! There will also be ten halter broke BABY DOLL Simbrah heifers selling. EMAIL OR CALL FOR CATALOG hether you’re interested in purchasing Simmental genetics or simply inquiring about the programs and services of the American Simmental Association, please contact me or one of the other field staff professionals. W Simmental ASSOCIATION AMERICAN Chase Groves Southern Region Field Representative Carlos • 956-802-1641 Carlos Jr. • 956-330-1963 Louie • 956-457-0205 Victor • 956-607-5515 email: LaMunecaCattle@aol.com 642 Private Rd 1191 Garland, AR 71839 406-581-7826 cgroves@simmgene.com Kelly Schmidt North Central Region Field Representative 927 181st St Hardwick, MN 56134 406-599-2395 kschmidt@simmgene.com Website: www.lamunecacattle.com Sé habla Español • Visitors Are Always Welcome ! 2 SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=5http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=52009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=6http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=6Linking SimGenetics to Commercial Cattle Published By the Register 2 Simmental Way Bozeman, Montana 59715-9733 USA 406-587-2778 • Fax: 406-587-8853 BOARD OF TRUSTEES Executive Committee Jim Skillestad, Chairman Gregg Bailey, Vice Chairman Dr. John Harker, Treasurer Tommy Brown Mike Mallett Dr. Jerry Lipsey, Executive Vice President Immediate Past Chairman: Mike Stoltey Eastern Area: Tommy Brown (2011) 111Charles Street Clanton, AL 35045 205-755-5485 tbrown205@bellsouth.net Jessie J. Driggers (2011) 3649 Hugh Driggers Road Glennville, GA 30427 912-654-3814 driggsimm@yahoo.com Dr. John D. Harker (2012) 15633 E. Jackson Road Hope, IN 47246 812-546-5578 harkerdds@incolumbus.com Bill McDonald (2012) 2147 Walnut Spring Road Blacksburg, VA 24060 540-552-2947 mcdonaldfarms@earthlink.net South Central Area: Beth Mercer (2010) 7940 Arthur Cemetery Road Troy, TX 76579 254-984-2225 bethmercer@att.net Bobby L. Willis (2011) HC 67, Box 160 Marietta, OK 73448 580-276-2781 willissimmentals@arbuckleonline.com Gregg Bailey (2012) 17768 Lawrence 2130 Mt. Vernon, MO 65712 417-466-4210 breezinb@sofnet.com Mike Mallett (2012) 10602 N. Highway 281 Lampasas, TX 76550 512-556-8548 m2mallett@wildblue.net Chief Executive Officer Dr. Jerry Lipsey Business Manager Linda Kesler Editor Dan Rieder Design & Production Joel Coleman Cynthia Conner Production Manager Jim Largess Accounts Receivable Lisa Loferski National Sales Manager Annie Allen 406-451-5560 Ad Sales Coordinator Jeneva Lunceford 406-587-2778 fax: 406-587-8853 North Central Area: ASA Publication, Inc., Board Mike Mallett Chairman Tommy Brown Vice-Chairman Gregg Bailey Dr. John Harker Jim Skillestad Bob Volk (2010) 1250 North 14th Street Arlington, NE 68002 402-478-4350 volkjk@aol.com Harold Williams (2011) RR 1, Box 294 Orient, IA 50858 641-344-4786 hjwilliams@ll.net Kevin Thompson (2011) 5125 53rd Street Almont, ND 58520 701-843-8454 kevinandlynette@westriv.com Roger Finke (2012) 13 14th Avenue NE Berthold, ND 58718 701-453-3157 srf@srt.com Western Area: Curtis Russell (2010) 24614 Road G Sugar City, CO 81076 719-267-3265 wwfeed@centurytel.net Mike Stoltey (2010) 374 Promise Lane Plummer, ID 83851 208-686-1515 michael_stoltey@yahoo.com Jim Skillestad (2011) 503 S. Pearson Glendive, MT 59330 406-377-3809 jpskilly@midrivers.com Jim Butcher (2012) 2470 Wolverine Creek Road Lewistown, MT 59457 406-350-0467 butcher@3riversdbs.net Dr. Jerry Lipsey Executive Secretary-Treasurer American Simmental Association 1 Simmental Way Bozeman, Montana 59715-9733 USA 406-587-4531 • FAX: 406-587-9301 Canada Publications Agreement Number: 1875191 Watch for FSS Polled Caymus at the NAILE Show this November Egmar Antonius Anka FSS Polled Caymus King Arthur FSS King Arthur Courtesy Eisenherz SS Pol Emmy FF 43N Anchor T Emmy 5B ASA # 2477623 EPDs: -4 2 35 57 -2 19 36 DOB: 9/17/08 • BW: 75 • WW 775 Watch for Caymus on the Show Circuit Smooth Polled Homozygous Non-Dilutor Double Goggle-Eyed 100% Full Fleckvieh Very Usable Pedigree Contact us about other bulls like Caymus we have available. Greg Starr, DVM Four Starr Simmental 4 26441 W. 109th Terrace • Olathe, KS 66061 email: dvmstarr@yahoo.com • Cell: 913-634-3494 SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=7http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=72009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=8http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=8HOW ARE WE DOING? By Lorna Marshall, Burlington, CO I can vividly remember my parents hauling me, and my rather large, yellow and white Signal-sired show heifer, to one of our first national junior Classics. I even exhibited one of the first black Simmental heifers (a.k.a. Black Butterfly, bred by Jim Taylor). A few thought it was crazy — even fewer would have predicted that the Simmental breed would see change so swift and dramatic. That willingness to change and adapt is one of the great things about this breed. You, as breeders and an Association, should be commended for having the foresight to collect the volumes of calving ease, performance and carcass data that you have over the last 15 years. It has propelled the Simmental breed to its current position as the leading Continental breed. You have embraced the inherent maternal strengths of the breed and improved upon them by placing selection pressure on lowering birth weights, reducing mature size and frame size, while improving structural correctness, udder quality and fleshing ability. Impressively, you succeeded while continuing to select for and enhance both marbling and REA. Your recent use of indexes and feed efficiency data will enhance Simmental’s position in the commercial industry going forward. Consistency and uniformity are good things for the industry as a whole, but as a breed, maintaining genetic diversity is vital. Simmental’s willingness to embrace hybrid cattle and its ability to offer the industry’s largest hybrid database will be a key strategic advantage moving forward. ABS Global has been able to grow and share in Simmental’s popularity. In the early 1970s, at the height of the continental craze, Simmental was our #1 breed for sales. In the late 80s, market share had eroded. However, through foresight, perseverance and a focus on breeding cattle with commercial significance, Simmental is now strongly rooted as the #2 breed behind Angus. Also, I would like to commend the breed for continuing its education-based junior programs. I frequently hear comments questioning the cost vs. the benefits of junior programs given the limited number of juniors that return as breeders. My personal experience speaks volumes to the value of the junior program. I am constantly amazed by how many of the breeders I work with have been friends and acquaintances since my days as a youth. I would encourage you to keep up the good work as you develop the future of the breed and the industry. ST Lorna Marshall was raised on a purebred Simmental operation in South Central Kansas. For the past 12 years, she has served as Manager for Beef Sire Acquisition for ABS Global, Inc. With her husband, Troy, and three children, they operate an Angus and SimAngus herd of 300 cows in eastern Colorado. — Editor. 6 SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=9http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=9Gilbert Ranch, Clyde Park, MT Hayes Ranch, Wilsall, MT Miranda Kaiser & Robert Hayes Parton Joe Konesky, Great Falls, MT Little Bitterroot Ranch, Hot Springs, MT Livingston Angus Ranch, Clyde Park, MT Miller Simmental, Gildford, MT Missing Horn Simmentals, Kalispell, MT Peck Simmentals, Whitehall, MT Pugrud Ranch, Winnett, MT RYMO Cattle Company, Bonners Ferry, ID Zimmerman Simmentals, Stevensville, MT2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=10http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=10AVOIDING DEFECTS USING ASA’S OPEN BOOK POLICY By Dr. Jerry Lipsey, Executive Vice President, American Simmental Association An explanation of how to use ASA’s user-friendly, color-coding program to ascertain an animal’s status with respect to genetic defects. We have an “open book” history and tradition that allows anyone to investigate any animal in our database. Now that DNA testing can identify animals that carry genetic defects, and we database test results, our searchable Internet database is a valuable weapon in the task of selecting defect-free genetics. We have developed a very user-friendly method of presenting genetic abnormality information that will signal both seedstock producers and their commercial herd customers of potential genetic abnormality risks associated with specific bull or cow selection. Everyone understands the risk of “running” a redlighted traffic signal. Red, yellow and green lights deliver unique signals to which we drivers respond. We have adopted the traffic light symbols to indicate a risk level for each of the 6.5 million animals in our database. For years, we have demonstrated how crucial it is to understand and evaluate the EPDs and indexes that describe values of production traits for each animal. DNA test results have now elevated the reason to carefully investigate the potential for certain animals to pass on defects. The American Simmental Association makes it easy for anyone to review the complete records of all Simmental-influenced cattle. Regardless of whether you are selling or buying, you should investigate or inquire about the genetic status. The adjacent insert page provides directions so everyone interested in using SimGenetics can check the genetic status of any animal and decide if there is any risk of acquiring and passing on defects. The step-wise guide to search our online database will lead you to complete information on any Simmental-influenced bull or cow. Our searchable Internet database is a valuable weapon in the task of selecting defect-free genetics. We have color-coded every animal. Red coded cattle are validated defect carriers. Red-shaded (pink) coded indicate an ancestor is a carrier and a test should be completed before you add these genetics to your herd. As the color code turns to yellow, we are indicating the pedigree traces to a breed known to harbor abnormalities; however, yellow means there is no documented defect carrier among the closest four generations of ancestors. Obviously, more intense shades of green indicate greater and greater security that an animal will not pass on genetic abnormalities. The darkest green indicates a DNA tested-free status. Although we cannot guarantee any animal to be free of all genetic defects, we are certain that DNA testing, and pedigree validation reduce risk. We have never met anyone interested in risking their lifetime efforts of building a great cowherd, so be sure to DNA test all yellow and pink color-coded cattle to accurately determine if they are defect-free or carriers. Using “green light” genetics is just good business. T LHT 40th Anniversary 35th Annual 40 Years in the Business LHT SIMMENTAL PRODUCTION SALE Sunday, February 7, 2010 • 1 p.m. • Beatrice, NE Top Genetics to Improve Your Herd Selling Approximately 30 Opens, 50 breds, and 60 bulls. Half are SimAngus. LHT Ms Meyer 734 159T Purchased by Foster Brothers in the Spring of ’08. Already a success story for them as she was one of the high sellers at their Exceptional “Hybrid Select” Female heifers like Sale on October 4. her will sell Feb 7. Auctioneer: Tracy Harl 402-461-3575 Sale Consultant: Dalton Lundy 502-727-6898 Archie Fleming 903-586-8505 Catalogs by request. S LHT TRAUERNICHT SIMMENTALS Loren & Maxine • Cindy & Mike Scott & Denielle 515 E. Pine Rd. • Wymore, NE 68466 402-645-8306 • 402-230-0812 cell Scott: 402-645-8194 Publication Representatives: Kelly Schmidt, the Register • 406-599-2395 Cell:402-239-1272 See ASA’s New Genetic Defect Policy on pages 2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=11http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=112009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=12http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=12MEASURING GENETIC PROGRESS: WHERE DO WE STAND? “How are we doing?” is a question all organizations need to ask themselves from time to time. I suspect that if the question were posed to several ASA members we would get a wide variety of answers. This is to be expected. Our judgment is highly influence by our perspective — and, even though we are all ASA members, our perspectives tend to be shaped through very different prisms. For example, a member who does not own a computer may feel the resources ASA devotes to developing computer software are a waste of time and money while a technologically savvy member may feel we are not spending enough. Happily, in the world of genetic progress, the answer to the “how are we doing” question is pretty straightforward (at least it is from my perspective!) Though some may wax and wane about the genetic progress we have made while others lament that we are spinning our wheels or even going down the wrong path, when it comes to genetic progress in the seedstock business there is only room for one perspective — genetic progress is determined by the change in profit we have provided the commercial cattle industry. Fortunately, we do not need to speculate on or debate about the financial benefit we have delivered to the industry. We can simply plot the change in our economic indexes (All Purpose Index (API) and Terminal Index (TI)) over time — a procedure for measuring genetic progress routinely used by the animal breeding community. Without any further ado, let’s take a look at how we have been doing: As you can see from Table 1, we predict that the average bull born in 2008 will improve the profit of an integrated beef cattle production system over a 2000-born bull by around $16/exposure if used to produce replacements and $6/ exposure if used as a terminal sire. Is that decent progress? To that question Jerry Lipsey would retort, “compared to what?” One rational comparison would be with other breeds; though our indexes do not allow for comparison across breeds, by plugging the change in a breed’s 10 SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=13http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=13By Wade Shafer, Ph.D., ASA Director of Performance Programs EPD profile into our economic index equations we can get a ballpark estimate of how much economic progress has been made within a breed. To provide a yard stick to size up our progress against other breeds, I dug up data from the Angus, Hereford and Charolais websites. Being the dominant breed in the industry, Angus was an obvious choice. I chose Hereford and Charolais because, after Angus, they represent the breeds most heavily used in maternal and terminal sire situations, respectively. Table 2 displays the results: From Table 2 we can glean that, compared to the 3 other breeds, Simmental has made the most progress in API and the least in TI. Our movement in API is largely due to sizable improvement in calving ease, maternal calving ease, marbling and stayability. Angus dominated improvement in terminal value primarily through their edge in increasing growth and marbling over the time period. Keep in mind, these are only measures of improvement made within each breed—they do not tell us how breeds actually stack up for all-purpose and terminal scenarios. For example, a breed could have made lots of progress over these years yet be dismal because the breed was a mile behind to start with. How do we interpret Simmental’s progress based on breed comparison? If our customers are keeping replacement females out of Simmental bulls, one would conclude that we have improved our value to the industry substantially when compared to other breeds. On the other hand, if our customers are using Simmental strictly as terminal sires, our improvement ranks with the pack but is a stretch behind Angus. Another, maybe even more relevant, method of sizing up our progress would be to estimate the improvement possible in each index if we increased our selection pressure and compare that to the progress actually made. To come up with the theoretical progress possible in API, I assumed that breeders used sires averaging in the top 1% for the index. I made the same assumption to calculate the improvement achievable in TI1. To provide an estimate of the result of lesser selection pressure, I also made calculations reflecting the use of sires in the top 5%. By taking a few liberties and making a few more assumptions (e.g., annually retaining the top half of your heifers based in index values), I came up with the calculations displayed in Table 3. As you can see, we would almost double our current progress by using bulls in the top 5% and nearly triple it with 1% bulls! The $44/exposure projected increase over this time span with top 1% API sires translates into an additional return of $6,600/sire for a commercial producer who exposed their bull to 30 cows over 5 years ($44 x 30 cows x 5 years). I would hardly be going out on a limb in saying that an across-the-board impact to our customers’ bottom line of that magnitude would likely set the industry on fire and make our members the most successful in the business. To make this bin-busting progress, we have to work together. This level of improvement is only possible if we all use top sires, which accelerates the economic value of the sire pool we all have to select from for subsequent generations. If you think goals of this size are out of reach2, keep in mind that improvement of this nature is regularly achieved by our major competitors — the swine and poultry industries. So . . . how are we doing when it comes to genetic progress? My report card would say that we have done well over the last decade; however, we now have the scientific tools to make genetic progress like never before. My challenge to you, ASA members, is to pull together to achieve the tremendous potential laying in front of us — let’s triple our progress in the next decade! 1 I checked our database, and there were over 320 purebred bulls that met the 1% API criteria and 600+ for TI. Furthermore, there were 141 bulls in the top 1% for both indexes. Given these numbers, this level2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=14http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=14For Simmental Seedstock, commercial bulls, as well as private treaty females, please contact the breeders on these pages . . . PACIFIC NORTHWEST Idaho Simmental Breeders Prickly Pear Simmental Ranch Birthplace of the first Polled Black Simmental Bull Made in Montana Sale • February 6, 2010 Troy Wheeler, Herdsman: 406-949-1754 Don and Nancy Burnham • Gary Burnham 2515 Canyon Ferry Road • Helena MT 59602 406-442-4702 • ASA No. 174 E-mail: burnhams@mt.net SIMMENTAL BREEDERS Trinity Farms Robb & Debbie Forman Mike & Paulette Forman 8701 Lyons Road 2451 Number 81 Rd. Ellensburg, WA 98926 Ellensburg, WA 98926 509-968-4717 509-968-4800 www.trinityfarms.info trinity@fairpoint.net Promise Land Ranch Mike & Cathy Stoltey Family 374 Promise Lane • Plummer, ID 83851 208-686-1515 (H) • 208-699-2335 (M) michael_stoltey@yahoo.com Trinity Farms “Royal Flush” Sale March 6, 2010 Peck Simmentals Performance Cattle Bred Cows and Bred Heifers Available Bill & Marianne Peck 129 Yellowstone Trl • Whitehall, MT 59759 406-287-5669 pecksimm@gmail.com www.pcksimm.8m.net BAR Bar 11 Simmentals Don & Zach Griggs P.O. Box 114 Teton, ID 83451 Don: 208-356-7797 Zach: 208-390-3952 zgriggs@hotmail.com 11 Visitors Welcome! Red & Black Simmental Genetics Pine Ridge Ranch Pine Ridge Ranch Pine Ridge Ranch ATHENS, TX Jane and Bill Travis SPRING VALLEY SIMMENTAL BLACK & RED — THICK MODERATE FRAMED Missouri Simmental Breeders Cattlemen in the Heartland Web site: www.simbrah.com e-mail: billtravis@bigplanet.com Cell: 214-850-6308 9876 PLANO RD. DALLAS, TX 75238 Office: 214-369-0990 Ranch: 903)-670-3241 Home: 214-348-1618 ANNUAL PRODUCTION SALE • MARCH 23, 2010 Stew & Delores Schwartz 597 Upper Millegan Road Great Falls, MT 59405 svbeef@3riversdbs.net RANGE READY BULLS • SimAngus • Balancer (GV x AN) 16-24 month age, all forage tested, calving ease, guaranteed, large selection of top genetics, utilize hybrid vigor for more $, more longevity, 25% more lifetime production. Quality bred heifers, cows. 50 years reputation, functional seedstock using the latest in proven technologies to bring more value because we care. 406-866-3360 Oklahoma Simmental and Simbrah Breeders MILLER SIMMENTALS Bulls of the Big Sky February 22, 2010 Billings, MT Gildford, MT 59525 Phone 406-376-3109 www.millersimmental.com • email: 7DM0174@ttc-cmc.net DALE & PAULA MILLER www.simmgene.com Contact us today to learn more about our new online services. John Rotert – Bob Harriman, Montrose, MO 660/693-4844 • 660/492-2504 (c) www.rotertharriman.com SHO-ME Simmentals Home: 417-776-1867 Mobile: 417-437-3224 Steve & Beth Gramith 6682 E. Hwy. 86 Neosho, MO 64850 Breeding, Raising & Marketing Quality Fleckvieh Fullbloods www.sho-mesimmentals.com Kim and Kathy Klotz, Owners 1369 196th Rd Seward, NE 68434 402-588-2423(H) • 402-499-1596(C) Danny Taylor, General Manager 11917 Hilltown Rd Cameron, OK 74932 918-647-9912(O) • 918-647-1699(C) ETR Cattle Company 12 SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=15http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=15Nebraska KANSAS SIMMENTAL BREEDERS SIMMENTAL BREEDERS H DAKOT T U SIMMENTAL AL BREEDERS A SOSIMMENT TRAXINGER Reds, Blacks • Bulls and Females Private Treaty Sales ) Western Cattle Source Jock & Brenda Beeson 100 Wohlers Drive Crawford, NE 69339 308-665-1111 (home) 308-430-2117 (mobile) 308-430-0668 (mobile) Email:wcsbeeson@bbc.net Dixson Farms, Inc. Carol Dixson, Kevin Dixson, & Lyle Dixson, D.V.M. RR1 Box 35 • Atwood, KS 67730 785-626-3744 • drlyle@atwoodtv.net www.dixsonfarms.com ( F J Just 20 minutes off I-80 DX “Mark of Performance” Mike and Terri Traxinger 11409 411th Avenue Claremont, SD 57432 605-294-5812 Fax: 605-294-5849 mtrax@nvc.net Ralph Brooks FORSTER FARMS Verlouis Forster Family 74096 Road 434 Smithfield, NE 68976-1039 Ph/FAX 308-472-5036 Verlouis Ph 308-876-2316 Alan Email: alan_forster@hotmail.com 7440 Lake Elbo Rd. Manhattan, KS 66502 H: 785-537-1214 C: 785-556-0385 Jim Benda Simmentals 26106 366th Ave. • Kimball, SD 57355 605-778-6703 • 605-730-6703 (Cell) Black and Red Breeding Stock brookssimmental@kansas.net “Red and Black, Polled, Pigmented Simmentals” Black Simmental Bulls & Females Purebred to Percentage Jay & Kim Volk Clark & Leslie Volk Bob & Jeanette Volk 402-478-4565 402-478-4503 402-478-4350 volkjk@aol.com • 20604 US Hwy 30 • Arlington, NE 68002 Female Sale — December 5, 2009 Bull Sale — January 30, 2010 James, Merlin, Delores and Renee Felt 57977 857 Road • Wakefield, NE 68784 402-287-2488 home • 402-369-1069 cell Herdsman, James Felt • 402-369-0513 cell FELT FARMS Private Treaty Sales Bull & Female Sale • March 2009 • Albion, NE Visitors Welcome Anytime Larry, Diane & Dawn Koepke • 402-565-4515 Dennis Koepke • 402-565-4235 85389 560th Ave. • Hoskins, Nebraska 68740 Nick, Andrea, Shane, Shelbi, Brevin, Natalie and Haylie 2909 Waverly Rd. • Seward, NE 68434 402-643-4429 • email: a.sloup@juno.com JC J&C SIMMENTALS Genetic Perfection Sale November 28, 2009 Triangle J Ranch Darby & Annette Line 35355 Arrow Road Miller, Nebraska 68858 308-457-2505 Phone/Fax www.trianglejranch.com Annual Production Sale last Sunday in January JC Eichacker Simmentals ES 25446 445th Ave • Salem, SD 57058 Steve Eichacker Raphael Eichacker 605-425-2391 605-425-2462 email: es@triotel.net Annual Bull Sale • March 5, 2010 Reisz Land & Cattle Producers Choice Bull Sale March 2010 Offering Outcross Simmental & SimAngus Genetics 1542 Quay Avenue, Woodbine, IA 51579 John Reisz Cell 712.263.9967 Dean Volk Cell 712.269.7622 Office 712.647.3330 • Fax 712.647.2597 crossroadscattleco@hotmail.com Minnesota SIMMENTAL Simmental Cattle BULLS Jass Simmentals Reds and Blacks Available Steve, Alan & Mark Jass 1950 Quincy Avenue • Garner, Iowa 50438 (641) 587-2348 or (641) 587-2174 www.jassimm.com email: jassimm@peconet.net BREEDERS Sargeant Farms AND FEMALES AVAILABLE BY PRIVATE TREATY Owner • Howard E. Sargeant Box 400, Forest Lake, MN 55025 • 651-464-3345 • 651-464-2662 Manager • David and Cindy Durheim 52609 Fleming Logging Rd., Sandstone, MN 55072 • 320-245-2830 ★★★★★★★★★★ Simmental & Simbrah Breeders Performance Oriented Simmental/Simbrah Cattle For Sale At All Times Dr. Lynn Aggen Office: 507-886-6321 Mobile: 507-421-3813 Home: 507-886-4016 Matt Aggen Mobile: 701-866-3544 Home: 507-772-4522 Email: aggen@excite.com Performance with Quality Harmony, MN 55939 www.oakmfarm.com ARTUSH Mike and Katrinka Bartush 13324 CR 417 • Muenster, TX 76252 940-759-4055 Home 940-736-6083 Cell H/F The Eugene Hook Family 11333 180th St., Tracy, Minnesota 56175 Tom and Shannon Hook 507-629-4946 Ed Schmidt, Herdsman 507-629-3513 E-mail: hookfarm@rconnect.com Cattleman’s Kind Bull Sale • March 11, 2010 • San Saba, TX Performance Genetics, Backed By Dependable People. SIMTALK 132009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=16http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=16Bulls of the Big Sky An alliance of Montana breeders, plus one from neighboring Idaho, pulls together to plan a program and sale that is showcasing more than 200 ready-to-work bulls. Bulls pictured throughout this article are representative of the animals being offered at the Bulls of the Big Sky Sale. By Dan Rieder chance meeting between a Montana Simmental breeder and ASA CEO Jerry Lipsey has led to an enthusiastic, momentumgathering effort to collectively develop and market more than 200 bulls. Dale Miller of Gildford was in attendance at the Montana Simmental Association’s 2008 State Tour and sat down next to Lipsey. During the course of their conversation, Miller asked him for marketing advice. Lipsey suggested that he consider joining together with other breeders and referred him to Marty Ropp, ASA’s Director of Field Services, who had previously assisted in the formation of several other groups of breeders. “There were four of us on that tour: myself along with Joe Konesky, Phil Gilbert, and Sig Pugrud, and the more we talked about the idea, the more we liked it,” Miller recalls. “Almost by accident, the suggestion appeared in our state newsletter, published by Marilynn Carr, and her news item noted that we were going to discuss it further during the upcoming MSA Annual Meeting.” The group of four quickly expanded once the word got out. “We were pleasantly surprised when several other people showed up and asked if they could join us. When we saw that kind of interest, we knew that we were on our way,” he said. A Getting Organized Miller serves as spokesman for the group, which chose “Bulls of the Big Sky” as its official title — a name that reflects their Montana and Idaho base, an area widely renowned for its quality seed stock. Idaho is represented by Ryan and Maureen Mai (pronounced MY), and Maureen, who had been very active in the American Junior Simmental Association in the early 1990s, was asked to serve as group treasurer. Committees were established and beginning this past April, planning escalated in earnest. Ropp advised them to concentrate on the success of the entire group and to focus marketing efforts into the largely untapped commercial potential of southern Montana, Northern Wyoming and Idaho. The group responded by scheduling the sale at the Billings Livestock Commission on Monday, February 22, 2010. Roger Jacobs of Billings, highly regarded and well known throughout the region, was retained to handle auctioneering duties. The bulls are being developed by Phil Veltkamp, whose feedlot, at Manhattan, has had considerable experience, developing more than 1,000 Angus and Red Angus bulls annually. “The bulls were delivered on October 1, underwent a brief warm-up period, and will be fed for a little more than four months prior to the sale,” Miller explained. Each breeder is held responsible for selecting their own consignments. “We’ll screen prior to the sale if there is a need for that,” Miller continued. “If there are some bulls that are not performing as they should be, obviously they will be pulled out before the sale. All yearling 14 SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=17http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=17bulls will be fed in one group, while the older bulls, which will be about 18 months of age at the time of the sale, will be fed separately.” “If everyone shows up with the bulls they have committed, we’ll have 185 yearlings and about 40 long-yearlings to offer for sale,” Miller said. “About half will be SimAngus; there will be a sizeable number of purebred Simmentals, plus several Angus bulls from Jamie Lannen and Hayes Ranch. Although most will be black, we’ll also have ‘one of the largest offerings of red Simmental bulls in Montana,’ which should appeal to Hereford and Red Angus commercial breeders who want to crossbreed and not change hair color.” Founding members of the Big Sky Sale have more than 300 years of collective experience in the Simmental breeding business alone and are united in the hope that combining that experience with a spirit of cooperation will help to ensure the success of their effort. and disbursed by Maureen,” Miller said. “She is our bookkeeper and all funding goes through her. Our money flow is designed to keep us at least one month ahead of the game, instead of behind it.” All bulls will have standardized health and management preparation prior to delivery and will be tested for PI-BVD upon arrival. Comprehensive performance data, ultrasound and breeding soundness examination information will be available on all bulls tested. The Consignors Gilbert Ranch, Clyde Park, MT. The Gilbert Ranch dates back to 1902, introduced Simmental in 1972, and has adhered to the old American Simmental Association adage that “The Cow Makes the Difference,” concentrating on the female side of the pedigree. Owned by the Phil Gilbert family, the cowherd today consists of Simmental, SimAngus and Red Angus crosses and they are joining with neighbor, Jamie Lannen, to commit 15 bulls. Hayes Ranch, Wilsall, MT. Hayes Ranch was founded in 2008, by Miranda Kaiser and Robert Hayes Parton, and is planned to preserve the long history as well as ensure the future of the famed Hudson Pines Farm of New York. Hayes Ranch annually implants more than 200 Simmental and SimAngus embryos. Together, Hayes Ranch and Hudson Pines Farms have committed to offer 110 bulls to the sale. Joe Konesky, Great Falls, MT. Konesky maintains a herd of 30 registered Simmental cows, while working off the farm for the Federal Aviation Administration. A commercial cattle raiser since the early 1980s, he made the move over to purebred Simmentals in 1993. His wife, Joyce, and children, Keaton, 10 and Haley, 7, are all actively involved in the farm operation. Five Konesky bulls, all born between January 15 and April 1, 2009, will be offered. Little Bitterroot Ranch, Hot Springs, MT. Frank Carr, his wife, Marilynn, along with their son, Shannon and his wife, Jeanette, run this Western Montana operation, which was founded in 1911. Their Simmental herd was established in 1972, and presently consists of 160 brood cows, divided about one-third being red, and twothirds black. Seventeen LBR bulls, including a number of SimAngus animals, will be in the sale lineup. Livingston Angus Ranch, Clyde Park, MT. Operated by Jamie Lannen, the ranch has been in his family for four generations. Their cowherd consists of 100 head of straightbred Angus, but has been utilizing some Simmental genetics in a crossbreeding effort to incorporate heavier muscle. Along with his neighbor, Phil Gilbert, they will jointly consign 15 bulls to the sale — a combination of Simmental, SimAngus and Angus genetics. Miller Simmental, Gildford, MT. The Miller family has had Simmental since the spring of 1970, shortly after the breed arrived in the US. Some of their genetics trace back to the legendary Parisien, the first Simmental bull imported to North America. Operated by Dale Miller, his wife, Paula, and their son, Justin, the Millers maintain a purebred herd of more than 100 Simmental pairs, and also farm extensively. They have committed 35 bulls to the sale. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 Underwriting the Sa2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=18http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=18Bulls of the Big Sky CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 Missing Horn Simmentals, Kalispell, MT. Owned by Mark and Cindy Passmore in partnership with his son, Miles, and daughter, Michelle. A Simmental breeder since 1972, Missing Horn now runs 200 cows, more than 100 of them registered Simmentals. The Passmores farm 2,000 acres of wheat, barley, canola and hay, and fill a niche market, producing Chianina and Maine Anjou club calves. The Passmore family is consigning 10 bulls to the sale. Peck Simmentals, Whitehall, MT. A small operation, owned by Bill and Marianne Peck, they began producing Simmental in 1984, with the purchase of a King Arthur daughter from Dr. Harry Furgeson. The Pecks have traditionally taken advantage of selective AI — working toward a goal of producing functional cattle that are born easily, grow rapidly, and excel in the feedlot. They are committing two bulls to the sale. Pugrud Ranch, Winnett, MT. The Pugrud Ranch, an original charter member of the American Simmental Association, is also a founding member of the Big Sky Sale group, although they are not prepared to participate in the upcoming 2010 sale. Previously operated by Tom and Lu Pugrud, who have retired, the ranch is now being run by their daughter, Sig. The Pugrud Ranch has issued a pledge to consign bulls to all future sales. RYMO Cattle Company, Bonners Ferry, ID. Ryan and Maureen Mai began their cattle ranch in 1999, with their genetics tracing back to 1992, when Maureen, as a youth, founded a small Simmental herd. They utilize A.I. to produce SimAngus and to strengthen their purebreds. Ryan and Maureen farm 1,600 acres of mixed row crops while custom-baling several thousand tons of alfalfa and timothy hay. RYMO Cattle Company is consigning 25 head to the sale. Annual Meeting and Banquet December 18, 2009 Selling: 30 open heifers, 35 bred heifers, 3 special lots • She sold at last year’s sale and wil be selling again in this years. • Reserve Champion at Ag Expo Junior Show • Supreme Champion at Junior Beef Expo, Williston, ND • Unbeaten in the Junior Point Shows – Simmental Division MJ Miss Dreamer U815 ASA#2460903 CNS Dream On x Preferred Beef Bred to 4D Pendelton U22 (Big Country x 3C Packer) – Sale Day Phone: 701-223-6550 – For Catalog Requests, contact: Sale Headquarters: Jeff Thomas • 406-581-8859 Todd Finke • 701-240-7711 Bob Grant • 701-453-3218 Best Western Ramkota 701-258-7700 Zimmerman Simmentals, Stevensville, MT. Owned and operated by Tom Zimmerman and his family, this operation was established in 1988. A native of Nebraska, Zimmerman moved to Montana in the 1970s, after having learned to A.I. at the age of 13. He relies heavily on AI and embryo transfer to propagate his herd of 35 purebred Simmental cows. He is consigning four yearling bulls, all of which were born in December of ’08 and January of ’09. Maureen Mai, in her capacity as treasurer, has been impressed by the excitement generated by her fellow members of the Bulls of the Big Sky Sale group. “It’s a neat assortment of people and cattle, and the enthusiasm is contagious,” she concluded. “We fervently believe that this sale will prove to be beneficial to a lot of people, both producers and buyers.” ST View the catalog online at: www.northdakotasimmental.com 16 SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=19http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=192009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=20http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=20All About Relationships By Dan Rieder e buy bulls, regardless of the breed, based largely on personal relationships,” says Matt Pearce of Pearce Cattle Company, Okeechobee, Florida. “We do not buy bulls randomly. We’ve continually purchased them from a handful of producers that we know and respect. Most of the time, we don’t even go to their bull sales – we buy them based on a combination of the breeder’s opinion, by studying the sale catalogs and through DVD observations.” The Pearce Cattle Company cowherd, located on the shores of Lake Okeechobee, just a couple of hours north of Miami, consists of 2,000 Brahman-influenced females. “And, we’re not the biggest, by any means in this part of the country. I know of at least 10 cattle operations of 10,000 cows or more in Florida. As you would expect, it can be very hot and humid here, so Brahman influence is needed in the cow herd,” Pearce reported. The Pearce Crew, left to right: Roy, Aubrey, Jacklyn, Jared, Chandler, Cali and Mark. A 2,000-head Florida operation relies heavily on trust and friendship when it comes to infusing new genetics into their commercial cowherd. “W The Pearce operation is managed on a day-to-day basis by Matt’s younger brother, Mark, with assistance from their father, Roy. “Mark and Dad are the ones who keep this outfit up and running. My brother is one of the top cowhands I know — the best I’ve seen at handling and managing cows,” Matt continued. “Since I’ve been working in sales for Purina Mills as the Cattle Specialist for South Florida for the last 10 years, my involvement is focused on buying our bulls and handling paperwork. They call me the pencil and paper guy and Mark is the guy on the ground.” Roy’s brothers and sisters also have a stake in the ranch, sharing in any profits that may accrue. Mark and Matt are the fifth generation to work the ranch, which was established in the 1800s, when their great, great grandfather settled in South Florida after migrating from Georgia. 18 SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=21http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=21The Cowherd Composition For many years, the Pearce cowherd revolved around a three-breed rotation involving Angus, Hereford and either Brahman or Brahman-based breeds like Beefmaster. “What we’d do was run five or six years of heavy Brahman breeding to produce replacement heifers or until we’d get too much ear – then we’d infiltrate some Angus and Hereford back on the herd to balance them out on the Bos taurus end,” Matt recalls. “We used to produce our own replacement heifers, but have discovered that we can often buy them cheaper than we can raise them.” Disappointed in their weaning weights, which were running in the 500 to 525 pound range, a decision was made a few years ago to change direction with regard to sire breed. “We’d heard about the impact that Simmie-Angus bulls were having around the country and thought that they might be just what we needed,” Matt said. “We were looking to add some more weaning weight and get some additional hybrid vigor. We’re now utilizing SimAngus bulls in a terminal situation, but we are retaining more and more of their heifer progeny. There is no question that our SimAngus bulls are weaning heavier calves than our straight Angus bulls. It is very likely that we’ll continue to move away from straight-bred Angus bulls in the direction of more and more SimAngus.” Sunshine Farms in Clanton, Alabama, has been the source for most of the SimAngus bulls they have used. “I’ve never been to their sale – that first year, I got hold of Tommy Brown of Sunshine Farms, who by the way is one of the finest men I’ve ever met, and asked him if those bulls would hold up,” Pearce said. “When Tommy told me ‘man, they will work and they will hold up,’ that was good enough for me. “I went through their catalog, and picked out the bulls I liked, based on weaning weights, high maternal and carcass trait EPDs, and then looked at the DVD they sent me to check for phenotype and conformation. I sent them a list of my first and second choices and named a price I was willing to pay. Well, we got 80% of our first choices and the rest on my second choice. My time is valuable and I can buy from those people with confidence because we have that great relationship. They are very reputable and what they say goes,” he said. Since then, they have also acquired SimAngus bulls from the Georgia-based Bull Power Group. “Randy Daniel of that group is a good friend, so I know some of those guys personally and have established an equally good relationship with them,” he stated. In all, the Pearces have purchased more than 60 SimAngus bulls over the past four years and turned out 40 this breeding season. In a normal year, they’ll purchase 15 to 20 SimAngus sires, and will keep them in the herd as long as they are physically sound. Four years ago, the Pearce bull battery consisted mostly of Angus, along with smaller numbers of Brahman, Herefords and Charolais. Today, 40% of their herd bulls are SimAngus, with another 40% Angus, 10% Brahman and 10% Charolais. “We’re phasing out the Charolais because we can get the same results, weight-wise, from SimAngus,” he said. Marketing Pounds Pearce calves are shipped to market right off the cow in August, before the hurricanes and monsoonal-type weather hits in full force. Calves are born from October through February, are worked in March with a round of virals, blackleg and deworming, and then reworked in June, receiving a second round of shots and deworming 30 days or so before they are shipped. “There is an erroneous perception that Florida cattle are all Brahman-influenced and prone to sickness in the feedlot, but that is absolutely not true,” Pearce says with CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 A couple of Pearce bulls acquired from Sunshine Farms. SIMTALK 192009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=22http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=22ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS CONTINUED ON PAGE 19 A Pearce SimAngus x Brahman cow, with her SimAngus-sired calf. A Brahman cow followed by her SimAngus-sired calf. He believes that their emphasis on carcass traits has paid off. “It is my opinion that our buyers become familiar with our cattle, know how they perform and that’s why they keep coming back to buy them. If you provide those guys with a good product, it pays off in the long run. This is also a relationship thing,” he reiterated. “You can put a SimAngus bull on these Brahmaninfluenced cows and get the calf crop straightened out very quickly,” Pearce concluded. “You get a more uniform bunch of calves, then sort those heifers off and they’ll make outstanding cows. At the same time, you don’t sacrifice the steers because they’re going to be black, they’ll fit the Certified Angus Beef criteria and they’re going to be heavier.” T conviction. “A cattle-feeding friend of mine showed me some data where they had purchased 20,000 head of Florida calves and actually made more money on them than they had on heavy Angus-influenced Western calves. Our calves are going to convert because they have so many natural challenges to overcome and, as a result, are very hardy.” Most of Pearce’s feeder calves are shipped to lots in Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle, but some have been fed in South Texas and others have gone as far north as Yuma, Colorado. In a normal year, they’ll sell between 1,300 and 1,500 steers and heifers and are presently, not retaining ownership. “We did retain ownership in the 1980s, but when we pencil it out it doesn’t seem to work as well for us right now.” S SYS SIMMENTALS Gary Sys 9400 205th Ave. SW Douglas, ND 58735 701-722-3244 Your Northern Source for Fleckvieh Genetics Heathe & Holly Widicker 4664 Main St., Heaton, ND 58418 Home: 701-984-2697 Cell: 701-652-5530 Email: jcscow@daktel.com James creek simmental www.jamescreeksimmental.com If you’re looking for commercial bulls or private treaty females in North Dakota, contact these breeders: Curtis Olafson 13043 84th St. NE Edinburg, ND 58227 701-993-8240 or 8450 Performance colafson@polarcomm.com Predictability www.bataolafson.com Personal Service TNT T SIMMENTALS TN Visitors always welcome. Only 15 miles off I-94 Kevin & Lynette Thompson 5125 53rd St. • Almont, ND 58520 Phone (701) 843-8454 K 20 ENNE SIMMENTALS R Roger, Jeanette, Erika, Jessica & Brett Kenner SRF SRF Simmentals Simmentals Roger Roger and and Susan Susan Finke Finke family family 35500 35500 114th 114th Ave. Ave. NW NW Berthold, Berthold, ND ND 58718 58718 701-453-3157 701-453-3157 Roger Roger • • 701-453-3105 701-453-3105 Todd Todd email: email: srf@srt.com srf@srt.com Edge of of the West Bull Sale —— April 2, 2010 Edge the West Bull Sale April 22 Terry Ellingson & Family Phone: (701) 384-6225 5606 57th St. NE Leeds, ND 58346 Phone 701-466-2800 Fax 701-466-2769 www.kennersimmental.com 5065 125th Ave. NE • Dahlen, ND 58224 Email: tellings@polarcomm.com Breeder of Ellingson Legacy M229 “Olie” SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=23http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=23Please contact us for more information, a sale catalog, or carcass ultrasound information. Triangle J Ranch Darby and Annette Line, Travis, Dillan, J.D. & Creyton 35355 Arrow Rd • Miller, NE 68858 Phone/Fax: 308-457-2505 • 308-627-5085 (cell) trianglejranch@juno.com • www.trianglejranch.com2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=24http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=24Beef Production in the New Era Do the Old Rules Apply? John D. Lawrence Extension Livestock Economist, and Director, Iowa Beef Center Iowa State University Editor’s Note: This article is from the proceedings of the Beef Improvement Federation’s 41st Annual Research Symposium, held April 30-May 3, 2009 in Sacramento. Introduction Genetic progress in multiple traits is difficult when the goal is clearly defined. It is even more difficult if the goal is a moving target due to changing consumer preferences or producer-cost structure. Commercial beef producers recognize that genetic decisions should be based on longterm profitability, but they live in a short-term world where profitability varies widely from year to year due to fluctuations in input and output prices. Fed cattle prices averaged under $70 from 19882002 and averaged over $87 during 2003-2008. Similarly, feeder cattle prices have averaged higher in recent years compared to the pre2003 era. Record high grain prices last summer and the collapse of consumer demand and the stock market late in the year; put 2008 in the books as the worst cattle feeding year on record. Feeder cattle and calf prices fell as feedlots searched for opportunities to rebuild lost equity. Was 2008 an outlier or is it the new norm? From renewable energy to rejuvenating the economy there are significant changes in U.S. policy that directly or indirectly impact cattle producers, but do these changes alter the goals that drive genetic selection? This paper will discuss two issues that are at the top of producers’ minds and how they may impact the beef industry and genetic decisions. The first is the change in U.S. energy policy to expand the use of renewable energy and the expected impact on feed prices and land use. The second is the United States’ current economic situation, including the economic recession, the proposed economic stimulus package, and changes in consumer behavior. After discussing these two issues, I will review the economics behind genetic selection and the importance of long-term relative prices in those decisions. Finally, I will revisit the question of whether the old rules apply in this new world. Emergence of renewable energy The United States is one of more than 40 countries expanding production of biofuels. President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act in December 2007, establishing the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for the United States. The RFS is a schedule of production goals for four different classes of renewable fuels from 2009-2022. Most notable is that corn-based ethanol, with less than two billion gallons produced in 1999, is targeted to grow from approximately ten billion gallons in 2009 to 15 billion gallons by 2015. At current industry yields of approximately 2.8 gallons of ethanol per bushel, corn usage will be approximately 5.4 billion bushels of corn in 2015. Biodiesel has a carve-out mandate to grow to one billion gallons per year, limiting the incentive to change crop rotations to plant more corn. Cellulosic ethanol is mandated to grow to 16 billion gallons by 2022 from its current level of near zero. Cellulosic ethanol is supposed to lessen the debate about food vs. fuel, but two challenges will linger. One, there is still a mandate for corn-based ethanol at 15 billion gallons. And two, while woody plants and waste products will be used, much of cellulosic feed stock under consideration is either currently feed for cattle or will compete for land that is producing grains or forages. In addition, one source of cellulose that some corn-based ethanol plants are considering is distiller’s grains. They are high in cellulose, very consistent, and have no transportation or storage costs when used at the same plant. Thus, new demand for grains and oilseeds will bid directly against exports and livestock, resulting in higher feed costs for a given supply. Corn production will increase on improved yields and expanded acres, but average corn price is 2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=25http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=25of Higher Prices and Higher Costs: commerce and consumers whose spending represents over 70% of the U.S. GDP closed their wallets. Personal savings that was 8 to12% of income in the 1980s hovered around 0% during 2005-07 and has grown to over 3% in the fourth quarter of 2008. While personal savings are good for the individual, it further slows spending including spending on food. U.S. expenditures on food posted a year over year decline in the fourth quarter of 2008, the first time since at least 1970. Through the Federal Reserve and congressional bail-out programs the government has increased the money supply and cut interest rates in an attempt to free up credit for business and consumers. The Federal Funds Rate averaged 0.15% in January 2009 and some Treasury notes traded at 0% interest. The President and Congress are debating another stimulus package intended to spur the economy back to growth. There is a risk that when the economy does recover, inflation will be a problem and the cure for inflation is a higher interest rate. Farmers and ranchers remember all too well the interest rate whipsaw in the early 1980s and should be prepared for higher interest rates in the future. However, the first challenge is to move the U.S. and global economies from recession to expansion and consumer income and spending is a key variable. Reduced consumer spending has hit beef demand particularly hard. Mintert, Tonsor, and Schroder (2009) report that on average, a 1% increase (decrease) in U.S. consumer total expenditures results in a 0.9% increase (decrease) in the quantity of beef demanded. This is a longterm elasticity estimate and in the short run changes could be even more dramatic. Retail beef prices have not increased as much as pork and poultry prices. Obviously, the supply of the three meats influences price, and poultry supply has declined further than beef at the boneless equivalent retail level. However, prices for beef middle meats have declined further than the price of ground beef, suggesting that if consumers aren’t switching to other meats, they are at least trading down for lower priced beef items. Again, supply must be considered, but comparing Dec ’06 – Feb ’07 to the same period this past winter shows that the Prime-Choice boxed beef price spread narrowed 39%. The “Branded beef” (upper two- thirds Choice) — Choice spread narrowed 57%, and the ChoiceSelect spread has narrowed 21%. Thus, the price of Prime and Branded beef decreased and Select increased relative to Choice beef price. At least part of the explanation is decreased food service demand for higher quality beef and increased demand for lower priced cuts at the grocery counter. The beef price differential based on quality grades ultimately depends on supply and demand for the different grades and consumers substitute between the grades if the relative prices do not reflect their individual preferences. Consumers also substitute between beef, pork, and poultry and price is one of the factors in the decision. While the current recession has impacted consumer spending, it is doubtful but too early to tell if their preferences have changed enough that would result in a shift in beef demand even after the economy recovers. Clearly, the generation that lived through the Great Depression has a different attitude toward spending, savings, and economic priorities than do their grand children. Will the United States have a new society of frugal consumers? objective of a cattleman is to maximize the present value of the stream of residual earnings from cows in the herd and concluded that prices and interest rates had a significant impact on the results. The author later suggested that breed evaluations should be expanded to include a broader range of input use values as well as the direct computation of multigenerational net present values under alternative scenarios regarding prices and prevailing production conditions (Melton and Colette, 1993). Lazenby et al. (1998) found tha2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=26http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=26Beef Production . . . Do the Old Rules Apply? CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23 variables. Figure 1 shows the steer:corn1 and calf:hay 2 price ratios over time. Yes, they do vary and cycle, but there is relatively little trend over the 24 yet considered. The steer:corn ratio spends little time below 28 or above 38. The calf:hay ratio is most often between 1.0 and 1.4. On the demand side, Figure 2 reports the retail price ratios for pork:beef and chicken:beef. These ratios are also relatively stable over time with only a slight downward trend indicating that beef prices are increasing relative to the other meats. The ratio of Choice to Select boxed beef prices does show a trend if measured from the early 1990s but, the ratio is not trending from 1994-2008 Figure 3 It is in the 1.06 to 1.08 range most years. One may argue that price ratios as described do not help breeders with selection decisions. First, the ratios are not substitutes for the net present value of the stream of future residual earnings from each cow as suggested by Melton (1980). Second, even if these price ratios continue in their historic ranges, the range is so wide as to not be an accurate forecast of future output or input prices. However, what the ratios show is that while cyclical and volatile, they have not trended significantly higher or lower over the past several years. When they do fall outside the range, market forces tend to bring them back toward the mean. The current upward shift in feed costs and fall in beef demand due to the recession are causing losses for producers and will push the ratio out of the range, but grain prices and beef supplies are already declining that will bring the ratio back toward the middle in the years ahead. Poultry and pork supplies are declining and will push their prices higher in the short term relative to beef. 1Nebraska fed steer price ($/cwt) divided by the national average corn price received by farmers ($/bushel). 2Oklahoma City 400-500 steer calf ($/cwt) divided by the national average alfalfa hay price received by farmers ($/ton) Beef cattle selection decisions should include economic weighting of the production traits or a simulation of future earnings from mating decisions. Either method is dependent on the forecast of prices for cattle, including premiums and discounts for genetically influenced traits and feed inputs. There have been recent “shifts” in prices for cattle, feedstuffs and consumer spending that have impacted at least current prices. Furthermore, government policy changes (Renewable Fuels Standard and economic stimulus package) have also occurred that raise questions about which prices to use when incorporating economic variables in selection indexes. While the change in policy will likely lead to new equilibrium prices for feedstuffs and cattle, the relationship between input and output prices will be such that the long-term economic returns to producers will be Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 24 SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=27http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=27near historic levels. Returns that are too large (small) will lead to further expansion (contraction) of beef supplies. Likewise, consumers will substitute between beef, pork, and chicken to keep the relative prices in narrow ranges. The Choice/Select ratio similarly reflects the balance of supply and demand between quality grades. The price ratios demonstrated in this paper vary from year to year and show some cyclical tendencies but do not have a pronounced trend over the time period considered. Short-term prices will deviate from the long-term relationship. These shocks will be addressed with short-term management decisions such as changing placement and marketing weights, ration formulation, culling and retention decisions. The implications are that at least for long-term decisions the economic weights and prices of the past are reasonable values for the future. Prices may be higher or lower, but the relationship of input to output prices is expected to be similar. Genetic selection needs to have a long-term focus and relative prices provide additional insight to these decisions. I have not simulated selection indexes or calculated net present values using relative prices compared to independently forecast prices for cattle and feed inputs. I do, however, believe that the error for long term price forecast is smaller for relative prices than the individual prices. The question remains as to whether the error is large enough to result in a significant change in selection decisions that leads to undesirable traits in cattle. Are the cycles in prices long enough and predictable enough to improve genetic selection or do they result in the “right” cattle at the wrong time as prices move in the other direction. More research is needed, but given the relatively stable relative price relationships observed it appears that the old rules do apply in the new price world. Lazenby, M.T., S.P. Miller and J.W. Wilton. 1998. “Effect of a change in price relationships on trait emphasis when selecting commercial beef bulls.” Proc. 6th World Congr. Genet. Appl. Livest. Prod. 25:371-374. Melton, Bryan E. “Economics of Beef Cow Culling and Replacement Decisions Under Genetic Progress.” Western Journal of Agricultural Economics, December 1980 pp. 137-147/ Melton, B. E. and W. A. Colette. “Potential shortcomings of output:input ratios as indicators of economic efficiency in commercial beef breed evaluations.” JAS 1993. 71:579-586. Mintert, J., G. Tonsor and T. Schroeder. “U.S. Beef Demand Drivers and Enhancement Opportunities: A Research Summary” Department of Agricultural Economics MF- 2876. Kansas State University, 2009. ST At Kenner Simmental we respect our customer’s needs and strive to produce genetics that help them to advance with the ever changing demands of the beef industry. By carefully selecting genetics with both phenotype and EPDs, we are able to satisfy the producer and the consumer. This motivates us to always make a better product from pasture to plate. See our offering at our Bull Sale: February 13, 2010, Bismarck, ND Call for more information: References Hazel, L. N. “The Genetic Basis for Constructing Selection Indexes” Genetics 2 8: 476 November 1943. Hazel, L. N., G. E. Dickerson, and A. E. Freeman. “The Selection Index—Then, Now, and for the Future.” Journal of Dairy Science Vol. 77 No. 10 32363251. 1994. K ENNE SIMMENTALS R Roger, Jeanette, Erika & Brett Kenner 5606 57th St NE • Leeds, North Dakota 58346 Phone 701-466-2800 • Erika 406-581-1188 rakenner@gmail.com Herdsman: Bryan Leapaldt 701-466-2553 • 701-739-8764 Cell www.kennersimmental.com SIMTALK 252009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=28http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=28HAY FEEDER DESIGN IMPACTS FEEDING LOSSES1 By Dr. Dan Buskirk, Associate Professor/Beef Extension Specialist Michigan State University, Department of Animal Science Table 1. Effect of feeder type on hay waste, intake, and behavior Feeder type Item Cone Ring Trailer Cradle Hay waste, %a 3.5x 6.1x 11.4y 14.6y Calculated hay intake as % of cow weight 1.8 Agonistic interactions, no./hour 10.9x Correct feeder entrances, no./hour 6.1xy Incorrect feeder entrances, no./hourb 0.2x a F or many cow-calf operations, harvested forages, in the form of large round bales, represent the single largest cost in maintaining the cowherd. Although round bales are relatively efficient packages for harvesting, transporting, and storing forages, they can contribute to significant feed waste. As round bales were adopted as a common way to package forage more than 30 years ago, it quickly became apparent that feeders were necessary, if feeding waste was to be held to less than 30 to 40%. Since that time, numerous research trials have demonstrated that even with controlled feeding in round bale feeders, feeding waste is routinely measured at between 15 and 25%. It seems that as an industry, we have become accustomed to observing this type of waste and accepting it as part of the round bale feeding system. We have become numb to having 20% waste around a hay feeder, and may justify it in our minds as a dry place for young calves to lie down. But wait — if your tractor was leaking 20% of its fuel, if your drill was leaking 20% of its grass seed, or if you lost 1 of 5 bales while hauling them from the field, would you take notice? Sure you would, and you would take quick action to eliminate the loss. One of our Michigan State University Extension educators, Maury Kaercher, made the astute observation that some operations he visited appeared to have a lot of waste around their feeders, while others had relatively little. This prompted us to conduct an experiment with the objective of comparing feeding behavior of cows and waste associated with various designs of round bale feeders. We used 160 beef cows, with 20 cows allotted to each of eight outside lots. In each of these lots we placed one feeder of four differing designs on a concrete pad: cone (Weldy Enterprises, Wakarusa, IN; model R7C), ring (Weldy Enterprises, model R7), trailer (S.I. Feeders, Portage WI; Arrow Front Feeder Wagon), or cradle (Weldy Enterprises; model 6 x12 feet HGF) (Figure 1). Dry, round hay bales were weighed and sampled before feeding. Hay was maintained in the feeders at all times. Each of the four types provided approximately 17 inches of feeder space per cow. Hay that fell onto the concrete surrounding the feeder was considered waste, and was collected in total and sampled daily. At the end of one week, each feeder-type was assigned to a different lot for a second, one-week period. During the trial, cow behavior was recorded using time-lapse video. Dry matter hay waste ranged from 3.5 to 14.6% for the different feeders (Table 1). Assuming a hay price of $85/ton, this range in wastage translates into a savings of $27.50/cow/season. With 20 cows accessing each feeder, the savings per/feeder/season would be $550. 1.8 7.4x 3.8x 4.2x 2.0 13.6x 8.2y 0.1x 1.8 30.7y 13.0z 16.8y Hay waste as a percentage of hay disappearance – dry matter basis. Within a row, averages without a common superscript letter differ significantly (P < 0.05). b Entering the feeder to eat over the top bar x,y,z We observed cows feeding from the cradle feeder had nearly 3 times the agonistic interactions (defined as behavior that displaced another cow from the feeder) and 4 times the frequency of feeder entrances compared to cows feeding from the other feeder types. Feed losses were positively correlated with both agonistic interactions and feeder entrances. These results revealed that design features are likely important in reducing the amount of hay waste associated with feeding in round bale feeders. From this study,2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=29http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=29Triple C Main Event T07N Sired by Invasion EPDs: 7 -1 26 48 3 8 21 SAS T101 Sweet Meat By HTP SVF In Dew Time EPDs: 12 1 41 61 8 9 30 ACC1 Hustler 2N By SS Goldmine L42 EPDs: 18 0 47 55 5 -8 16 DHF Jades Dreamworks T500 By By Dream On EPDs: 8 0 29 45 6 -1 14 SVF Star Power S802 By Dream On EPDs: 1 3 54 88 11 -3 24 PVF/SAS T32 Dirty Dog By BOZ Redcoat EPDs: 8 -1 22 47 7 10 21 DJ Salution S502 By Warehouse EPDs: 10 1 35 53 1 -4 13 GWS/CF Rendition T310 By Trademark EPDs: 8 1 27 45 5 9 23 LECC Perfect Timing P3 By Lucky Dice EPDs: 5 4 60 111 7 -4 26 SS On Star RJ13 Sired by Goldmine EPDs: 9 4 40 68 3 6 26 STF Affirmed P44R By LSS Thumper EPDs: 6 4 38 67 3 1 20 Triple C Positive Power N785 By HC Power Drive 88H EPDs: 6 4 45 84 9 3 25 Westfall Voyager 721P By Power Surge EPDs: 12 -1 21 46 6 9 19 SAS/ASF All Star N531 By PPSR Nophalt 20H EPDs: 4 3 48 71 10 14 38 SVF/NJC Amazon S218 Sired by Warehouse EPDs: 7 2 33 58 2 6 23 WAGR Dream Catcher 03R By CNS Dream On L186 EPDs: 10 1 32 54 8 -3 13 STF/RP Savvy SR49 By Trademark EPDs: 9 1 24 44 5 2 14 WSJ Encore R2 (SimAngus) By CNS Dream ON L186 EPDs: – 1 32 54 – -3 13 BMR Explorer 429T By Voyager EPDs: 12 0 33 59 7 6 22 SVF/NJC Built Right N48 By Dream On EPDs: 9 -1 29 57 10 5 20 Call for your free book 866-356-4565 Entire lineup online at: SC Mo Magic S47 (SimAngus) By Mo Better EPDs: – 1 29 73 – 5 19 LS/NF Bring It On S30 By Dream On EPDs: 12 3 47 79 8 3 26 SVJ Wild Fires Dream S-3 By Dream On EPDs: 13 1 28 47 8 2 16 www.cattlevisions.com Semen available on the best Angus and Clubbie sires too.2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=30http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=30H AY FEEDER DESIGN IMPACTS FEEDING LOSSES1 CONTINUED prefer to eat while their ears are lower than the top of their shoulders. Cows reaching over the top of the feeder to get hay tend to waste more. This was most apparent in the cradle and ring feeders in our trial. • Hay saver panel. Feeders designed to sit on the ground may benefit from having a solid panel at the bottom to retain more feed inside the feeder. A taller “hay saver” panel may be advantageous. It is important to note that there are often trade-offs between design features that reduce waste and practical feeding considerations. For example, some of these design features add cost, height, and weight to the hay feeder which may in turn require larger equipment to place bales or move feeders. How much are your feeders allowing cows to waste? Hay waste can relatively easily approximated as hay delivered minus hay intake. First, determine how much hay is being delivered. Let’s use an example where 111,000 pound bales, are delivered over the course of two weeks, to a group of 20 cows. The daily amount delivered would be (11 bales x 1,000 pound/bale ÷ 14 days ÷ 20 cows) = 39.3 pounds/cow. Next, estimate intake. As a rule of thumb, when feeding medium quality hay, dry, pregnant cows can eat up to 2% of their body weight in dry matter, and lactating cows can eat up to 2.3% of their body weight in dry matter. Let’s continue the example for 1,350 pound dry cows which would be expected to eat up to 27 pounds of hay dry matter (1,350 pounds x 0.02). If the hay was 15% moisture, this is an intake of 31.8 pounds on an as-fed basis (27 pounds ÷ 0.85 dry matter). Now, the difference between hay delivered (39.3 pounds) and intake (31.8 pounds) is presumed to be waste (39.3 pounds – 31.8 pounds = 7.5 pounds). In this example, waste is estimated as 19% of what was delivered (7.5 pounds ÷ 39.3 pounds). Profitable cow-calf producers are aware that minimizing new equipment purchases is key in controlling depreciation costs. However, the cost of feeding losses using inferior feeders can be substantial. The value of hay lost in a feeding season of 180 days per feeder for 20 cows is shown in Table 2. One can see from this table that reducing hay waste from say 25% to 10% when hay value is $90/ton would be expected to save $771 ($1,286 – $515) per feeder each season. Few feeding management changes have the potential to offer this large of a return on investment. Table 2. Value of feeding loss in a season per 20 cow feeder Hay value, $/ton $70 $80 $90 $100 $110 0% $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 5% $200 $229 $257 $286 $314 10% $400 $457 $515 $572 $629 15% $600 $686 $772 $858 $943 20% $800 $915 $1,029 $1,144 $1,258 25% $1,001 $1,144 $1,286 $1,429 $1,572 In summary, evaluating your feeding method and appraising new or replacement round bale feeders for the proper design features may be well worth the effort. Feeding waste, % Relatively subtle differences in these designs may help to save money year after year. 1Mention of trade names or commercial products in this article is solely to provide specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by Michigan State University, nor does it imply approval to the exclusion of other products. Cone Feeder Ring Feeder Trailer Feeder Cradle Feeder ST 28 SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=31http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=312009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=32http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=32CAN COMMERCIAL CATTLEMEN MAKE AI PAY? By Troy Smith Editor’s note: This article is provided by the National Association of Animal Breeders/Certified Semen Services, PO Box 1033, Columbia MO 65205, 573.445.4406 dramatically reduce the time devoted to heat detection. He thinks devoting a few days to careful implementation of AI pays ample dividends. “Synchronized AI means more cows are bred on the first heat cycle. So more calves are born early and they’re closer in age,” says Anderson. “Certainly, the calves are sired by better bulls than we could afford to own and use naturally. With AI, we access some of the best proven genetics available, using a $40,000 or $50,000 sire, at a cost of about $20 per calf. AI consistently delivers above-average returns on the cattle we market, and we’re improving our cow herd faster with the AI-sired replacement females we keep.” Among cattle finished in the Andersons’ own feedlot and marketed in 2008, 84% achieved a Choice carcass quality grade — a far cry from the 46% of the mid-1970s. In just the last four years, the number of Yield Grade 4 carcasses has been reduced by 10%. Yield Grade 1 carcasses are up by 10% and the number qualifying for Yield Grade 2 increased by 16%. Anderson credits these improvements to sire selection based on the high-accuracy EPD (expected progeny difference) values of AI sires, and a focus on improving carcass merit while maintaining the herd’s strong maternal traits. Anderson and Holzapfel believe more commercial producers could make AI work. Whether they sell feeder cattle like Holzapfel, or retain ownership through the feedlot like Anderson, AI provides opportunity to improve the value of cattle marketed. Of course, the true measure of success with AI would be increased net return from the cow-calf enterprise. Tim Sutphin, who operates Hillwinds Farm, near Dublin, Virginia, says net return is the one measure he seeks to maximize. “I believe some of the best ways to increase net return is through estrous synchronization, artificial insemination and retained ownership through slaughter,” says Sutphin. “These things, in combination, have made a big difference in our bottom line.” Since 1999, Sutphin has applied synchronized AI on a whole-herd basis. All cows are inseminated on day-one of the breeding season, after which clean-up bulls are turned into the pasture. Sutphin has put his pencil to it and found that AI does cost more than natural service. His figures show the cost of one-time AI, including semen, synchronization protocol, and other costs, is about $39 per pregnant cow. That’s assuming a 65% conception rate with AI. According to Sutphin’s calculations, using a $2,800 bull for four years, and assuming a 90% conception rate, puts the cost of natural service at about $33 per pregnant cow. That makes the cost of AI $6 per pregnant cow higher. However, Sutphin cites a 2% improvement in pregnancy rate since implementing AI, with more calves born early in the calving season. Typically, pregnancy rates range from 95 to 97.5%, with 85 to 90% of calves born in the first 30 days of a 65-day calving period. AIsired calves are about 27 days older than the average age of calves resulting from natural service. The average age of all calves is 16 days older than before AI was implemented. CONTINUED ON PAGE 32 S uppose you gathered up exactly 100 cow-calf producers representing a true cross-section of the commercial industry. And just suppose you asked all among the crowd who currently use artificial insemination in their operations to raise their hands. It’s likely there would be no more than eight hands waving in the air. There would be even fewer if you asked how many producers were practicing AI on mature cows. The simple fact is that most commercial producers shy away from AI. Of those who do use AI, most use it only for breeding replacement heifers. “I think, as an industry, we have made people think that AI is very difficult,” says Herb Holzapfel, of Willow, California.2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=33http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=33Sunshine Farms 13th Annual Carcass-Merit Black SimAngus & Simmental Bull Sale 11:00 am Saturday December 5th, 2009 Clanton, Alabama U179 - 3/4 Sim 1/4 An bull sells BW .8 WW 39 YW 79 Milk 11 MWW 30 CW 11.2 MB .40 REA .52 API 113 TI 73 U208 -1/2 Sim-1/2 An bull sells BW -1.2 WW 28 YW 56 Milk 3 MWW 17 CW -6.3 MB .78 REA -.07 API 129 TI 75 Selling 100 Homozygous Black bulls that include 45 - 1/2 Sim- 1/2 An bulls, 35- 3/4 Sim- 1/4 An bulls, 15 PB Simmental bull and 5 Ultrablack bulls. These bulls are genetically planned to produce cattle that will help our customers to survive the escalating production costs and bring top dollars at market time. Calves sired by Sunshine Farms bulls have topped organized feeder calf sales and bred heifer sales throughout the Southeast in 2009. Thousands of records have been analyzed since 1993 to sort our bulls into 3 lines to simplify the selection of bulls for specific programs. Due to the constraints of time and cost of traveling we are developing these lines of bulls so customers can buy the bulls they need at the December 5, 2009 Bull Sale by phone or email. Complete satisfaction will be guaranteed on all bulls purchased through the sight unseen purchasing program. The bulls will be delivered to the buyer as economical and timely as possible. Sunshine Farms – Genetically designed lines of SimAngus Bulls SSF A Plus Bulls (A+) - All Purpose bulls The A+ Bulls are selected for negative BW EPDs, calving ease, average growth and milk and a high API index. SSF P Plus Bulls (P+) – Power Bulls The P+ bulls have average BW EPDs and above average growth and milk EPDs. SSF T Plus Bulls (T+) –Terminal Bulls The T+ bulls have above average BW EPDs with growth EPDs that are in the top 10% of the breed. These bulls are ideal for the Brahman influenced cowherds located throughout the Southeast and Gulf Coast regions. The A+, P+, and T+ bulls all come with the convenience traits of being Black and Polled and have different % of Simmental and Angus genetics to fit the variations in our customers cowherds. These bulls also have Carcass Merit -Feed Efficiency-Tenderness traits bred in to increase value of their progeny. This year we adding Ultrablack bulls for our customers that need to add heat tolerance to their programs. Visit our web site for information on the genetic lines and the total genetic program at Sunshine Farms. Sunshine Farms P O Box 1777 • Clanton, AL 35046 Jamie McConnell 205-312-1354 Tim Minor 205-755-4203 Tommy J Brown 205-755-5431 Email: sunshinefarm@mindspring.com www.sunshinefarms.com2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=34http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=34CAN COMMERCIAL CATTLEMEN MAKE AI PAY? CONTINUED In Sutphin’s experience, there is less dystocia among cows bred AI. He credits the difference to the higher accuracy of birth weight and calving ease EPDs for the AI sires, compared to unproven bulls used naturally. Sutphin’s older AI-sired calves also appear to have more resistance to pneumonia and scours. From birth through harvest, treatment costs and death losses are lower for AI-sired calves. Also credited to the use of proven genetics is the increased feedyard performance and carcass merit of AI-sired calves. Sutphin has even looked at how saving AI-sired replacement females has influenced the value of marketed animals and improved net return to the operation. “The value of our calves has improved with increasing AI influence,” states Sutphin. “If we compare a calf that is AI-sired and out of an AI-sired cow, with a calf that is sired by a clean-up bull and a non-AI-sired cow, the difference in the end value is as much as $175. That’s worth the little bit extra that it costs to AI.” Representatives of AI technology suppliers (bull studs) generally agree that most commercial producers practicing AI still focus primarily on breeding yearling heifers to sires promising calving ease combined with performance. These producers seek benefits including lower labor requirements during a short calving season, and better performing calves out of first-calf heifers. However, development of modern synchronization protocols for timed AI has caused more producers to think about breeding cows. Many of those producers also retain ownership of calves all the way to harvest. It has been said that producers who market fed cattle have a better chance of earning premium prices reflected by genetics available through AI. Herb Holzapfel believes calf-sellers also can claim rewards for cattle with “added value” associated with more uniform age and weight and genetics known for performance and quality. “Our steers consistently sell above the average market price and our heifers are sought-after,” says Holzapfel. “I believe if you are going to be in the ranching business in the future, your very existence will depend on your ability to supply a better, more consistent product. I don’t know of a better way than with AI.” ST • 20 Open Heifers • 5 April Heifers by OCC Rock Solid (Sloup) • 10 Heifer calves from Steenhoek - 5 PBs by Burning Up and 5 Halfbloods by Burning Smoke • 35 J&C Bred Heifers - AI’d to $100,000 Crowd Pleaser; 4-time Grand Champion Halfblood Throwdown; and Hotline, halfblood whose calves average 70 BW at J&C. • 5 Bred Heifers - Sloup OCC Breeding • 10 Young Cows, (3-5 yrs) bred to OCC Bulls • 5 Zeis/Gaughen Bred Heifers by 734 sons bred to OCC Magnitude. Also selling several Zeis open heifers. • Flushes and embryos too! 32 SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=35http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=35Our state-of-the-art genetic defect tracking system color codes every animal for a genetic defect designation — you don’t have to guess, and the information is at your fingertips. Color Code Designations TF Tested Free Action Use ASA’s web site to find the Genetic Defect Status on any animal in the database! 1. Go to ASA’s web site www.simmental.org 2. Select Data/Animal Search option (under Simmental title). 3. From the drop down menu, select Animal Search. 4. Enter the animal’s registration number in the box provided; Select Search. Note: You can also search by animal’s name. PF Pedigree Free Level of security that an animal will not pass on a genetic defect. DF Documented Free AF Assumed Free PR Population Risk CL Carrier in Lineage TC Tested Carrier Not Tested Potential or unknown risk without testing. 5. EPD, pedigree and other information will be displayed for the animal. 6. Select the colored circle to the right of Genetic Status 7. Specific information for each genetic defect that we are monitoring is displayed. Known carrier of a genetic defect Simmental breeders are required to test for your protection. Keep in mind that the highest level of security are those in the tested free (TF – dark green) category. 1 Simmental Way, Bozeman, MT 59715 406-587-4531 • simmental@simmgene.com • www.simmental.org2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=36http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=36Crossbreeding nearly eliminates abnormal calves! ASA’s policy of DNA testing our most popular sires is protecting SimGenetics breeders from spreading defects. The American Simmental Association is focused on crossbreeding; consequently, Simmental-sired calves have almost zero risk for dwarfism, NH, AM or marble bone. Select the green circle next to TraitTrac to see or read information on the DNA and Genetic tests for the animal (and ancestry). Use ASA’s website or give us a call — 406.587.4531 for more information. • The quickest, wisest breeding plan to minimize defective calves. • Simmental influenced bulls — perfect for Angus, Red Angus and Brahman-sired females. • Reduce the risk of spreading defects. • Best combinations to advance cowherd income. 1 Simmental Way, Bozeman, MT 59715 406-587-4531 • simmental@simmgene.com • www.simmental.org2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=37http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=372009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=38http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=382009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=39http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=392009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=40http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=40CULLING COWS By Darrell Rankins, Ph.D., Alabama Cooperative Extension System Animal Scientist Before any cows can be culled from the herd, a minimum level of performance that a cow must meet to remain the herd must be established. These levels may be different from one herd to the next depending on whether the herd is expanding, shrinking or remaining constant in numbers. For a constant-sized herd, there are two minimums that cow should meet: 1) she should wean a calf, and 2) she should rebreed early in the breeding season. Once a cow meets these minimum criteria, other culling parameters should be of a comparative nature. Probably the most important of these is the weight of her weaned calf. The traits that cows should be culled on can be divided into three main areas: reproduction, functionalty, and production. Reproduction Cows should rebreed and calve every 365 days, in the environment in which they are maintained, with a minimal amount of supplemental feed. Selection pressure should emphasize heifers and cows that rebreed early in the breeding season (first 45 days). Most often, when a low-weaning percentage occurs it is a direct result of a large percentage of open cows rather than some kind of a calf health/death problem. An unusually high number of open cows warrants an in-depth investigation. Cowherd disease or bull reproductive failure could be the cause. In many cases it would make more economic sense to sell the open cows and purchase bred heifers or cows with known genetics and health records rather than wait two years for these open cows to wean their next calf assuming they would breed when next exposed. Many producers have observed and research has shown that only about two out of every three open cows will breed at this next exposure to the bull. Functionality Died It is important to assess the soundness of mouth, feet, legs and udders Udder and cull cows with problems. Also, Eye examine the eyes as it is much better Prolapse to sell a cow with a small spot in her Feet eye than waiting until cancer eye has developed and requires euthanasia. Open or Cull and remove all cows that have Bred Late previously prolapsed or exhibited abnormal calving difficulty. The accompanying table documents the rate of culling associated with various parameters in a large number of cows (started with approximately 2,500 cows) at various ages. Prior to eight years of age, the primary reason for culling is being open or low productivity, and after eight years of age, udder and eye quality become major culling criteria. Production If your management system is based on selling calves at weaning, then weaning weight is the important production trait on which to base culling decisions. If you stocker the calves, then it may be yearling weight and if you retain ownership through the feedlot phase, then you may also cull on carcass traits. For most, it will simply be weaning weight. An accurate and usable set of records should provide the basis for evaluating performance and making subsequent culling decisions. Individual calf weights can be adjusted for age and sex of the calf and age of the dam. These adjusted eights (205-day) allow for maximum genetic evaluation; however, exercise caution when using these adjustments because young, late-born calves often receive the most advantage and you do not want to keep cows that are calving in the latter portion of the calving season. A difficult decision is encountered when a cow does not wean a calf, but is bred at the time of pregnancy testing (usually weaning time). If the cow gave birth to a calf and the reason for her not weaning the calf was due to something other than calving difficulty, it might be better to keep her than cull her, especially if she is bred to calve early in the calving season. Others will reason that she should generate come income each year even if it is her salvage value. This is where it is advantageous to have a complete set of records to determine how productive the co2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=41http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=412009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=42http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=42RESEARCH & NEW PRODUCTS Research Aims at Live Animal BSE Testing A recent discovery by scientists at Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory has made performing accurate diagnostic tests on live animals for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) a distinct possibility. Current tests can only be carried out post-mortem. Researchers found that detecting a change in protein levels in cattle urine indicated the presence of BSE with 100% accuracy in a small sample. They also discovered that the advancement of the disease could be determined through detected changes in the relative abundance of certain proteins. FMD Detected by Technology Infrared thermography (IRT) is being used by scientists at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York, for purposes of identifying cattle that may be infected with food-and-mouth disease (FMD). USDA reports that it is the first time IRT has been used as a tool for early FMD detection, although the technology has been used extensively in other fields. IRT works by spotting “hot” hooves, with hooves of healthy animals appearing as blue-green in color on an IRT photograph, whereas infected animals have orange-red feet. In the research, elevated hoof temperatures were detected up to two days before cattle developed clinical signs of the disease. TB Suspected in Texas Dairy Preliminary tests indicate that a dairy located in West Texas is infected with cattle tuberculosis. Cattle TB, caused by mycobacterium bovis bacteria, results in internal lesions. Milk from commercial dairies is pasteurized, killing bacteria with heat, so there is no public health concern from a dairy herd. However, animals from the 2,600 head dairy are being prepared for depopulation. Texas regained cattle TB-free status in 2006, and one herd does not result in the loss of that status, but two infected herds in a 48-month period will result in loss of TB-free status. North Dakota Herd TB Negative A North Dakota cowherd, suspected in a potential bovine tuberculosis outbreak has been found free of the disease and released from quarantine. A cow, originating from the southwest part of the state had been identified as a suspect for TB by a Minnesota processing plant, triggering the quarantine and subsequent testing. However, all tests were negative and the herd was cleared. Additional tests were to be completed on three other area herds. CONTINUED ON PAGE 42 40 SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=43http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=432009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=44http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=44RESEARCH & NEW PRODUCTS Domestic Elk Herd Has TB A herd of captive elk and follow deer in Knox County, NE, is infected with Tuberculosis (TB). The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA), which discovered the outbreak, has authority over captive cervid herds in the state. The herd, which is currently under quarantine, is eligible for depopulation and indemnification in accordance with USDA guidelines. The area where the herd is located is fairly remote and there is no direct contact with domestic livestock, according to NDA officials. Cryptosporidiosis Puts Humans at Risk Because of a very wet and sloppy spring in much of the US, a number of calves have suffered from cryptosporidiosis, a disease that can infect their handlers. Caused by the protozoan parasite cryptosporidium parvum, the organism can affect the epithelial cells in human gastrointestinal, bile duct and respiratory tracts. More than 45 species of animals, including cattle, sheep, poultry, fish, reptiles, dogs, cats and rodents can also become infected. Handlers are urged to wear protective clothing, wash their hands after handling animals, and avoid exposure to calves suffering from diarrhea. TB Appearing More Frequently A rash of bovine tuberculosis cases have occurred in recent weeks. For instance, a second case has been recorded in Nebraska’s Rock County in the North-Central part of the state and the entire herd has been tested. In addition, a West Texas dairy has also been quarantined since cattle in that herd responded positively to a TB test, which was later confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, IA. No Danger of Swine Flu From Swine There is no evidence that flu can be transferred to humans from domestic or wild hogs, according to a release by the Texas Animal Health Commission. The new strain, called H1N1 influenza is being spread person-to-person and has not been linked to hogs. However, wild hog hunters are advised to protect themselves against potential exposure to swine brucellosis, a total different disease, unrelated to flu. About 10% of wild hogs carry brucellosis, a bacterial disease. 42 SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=45http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=45CONTINUED Vet Shortage Could Hamper Response The federal government has a dangerous shortage of veterinarians, putting the nation at risk in case of a major public health emergency, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO). An effort is being made to address the shortage since 27% of the veterinarians who work for the US Army, the Food and Drug Administration, and at USDA are eligible for retirement by 2012. Some of those agencies are already understaffed and have been for more than a decade. Food Wash Kills Pathogens Rapidly University of Georgia (GU) scientists have created a technology that effectively and quickly kills pathogens on food. Created by the GU Center for Food Safety, the technology has been licenses to the maker of FIT Fruit and Vegetable Wash. The process can reportedly kill significant numbers of E. coli and salmonella bacteria in less than one minute. The new anti-microbial food wash is described as “orders of magnitude more powerful and twice as fast as previous similar products.” Also, the wash has no effects on small, taste or appearance of the foods that are treated. Possible Link Between Fish and Cattle Researchers from the University of Louisville, have brought into question the safety of consuming farmed fish that could transmit Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (CJD), the human equivalent of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). Although it has not yet been proven that it is possible to transmit the disease to humans through consumption of fish, some fish farms do feed byproducts rendered from cows, leading scientists to believe that a ban on feeding cow meat or bone meal to fish should be put in place until complete safety can be confirmed. Fish, Shellfish Labeled “Most Dangerous” According to a report by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), a pound of fish and shellfish is 29 times more likely to cause foodborne-illness than the safest food category, which is a pound of dairy foods. After dairy, produce is the second-safest category of food, followed by pork and beef, then eggs and poultry. The report is based on a study of 5,800 outbreaks that occurred between 1990 and 2006, for which both the food and the pathogen are identified. The high standard attained for dairy products is attributed to the “kill step” of pasteurization, which other foods do not receive. CONTINUED ON PAGE 48 SIMTALK 432009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=46http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=46Just like having the issue in your hands, the online version can be viewed the same way as the print version. But, the online SimTalk uses active links, embedded video and sound, and search capabilities to instantly connect the reader to ASA staff and SimTalk advertisers. Features: ➲ Clean and fast loading ➲ Active links available to advertisers in the issue allowing readers to access advertisers’ websites or send them email ➲ Embedded video and sound, which is also available to advertisers ➲ Easily searchable by key word ➲ Simple navigation and easy user interface2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=47http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=47November 2009 452009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=48http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=4810th Anniversary Simmental Cattle Production Sale Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 12:30 P.M. Diamond A Farms, Altamont, IL Selling 75 lots • Genetics Features • Breds • Show Heifers • Cow/Calf Pairs A DECADE OF IMPRESSIVE GENETICS R140 Bonus x 6807 Heifer calf by Star Power U29 Star Power x Summer Bonus WS51 EL Ponderosa Rey x Perfection U116 Marathon x All Beef Bred to In Dew Time W6 Encore x Sprint U93 Pathfinder x Power Drive U33 Dream On x DAF Joker U801 Navigator x HPF Independence U17 Cowboy Up x Dream On Bred to Hustler W72 Trademark x Dream On W196 Duracell x Keep Dreamin’ Bovine Bella Embryos sell by this many time champion sold in the 2008 sale To review or request a catalog, go to www.parkelivestock.com Sale Consignors Diamond A Farms • 618 483 5972 Kenwood Farms • 217 825 3020 Maggle Simmental • 920-493-6937 Osborne Simmental • 618-292-6101 Sunny View Farms • 217-473-7233 Travis Simmental • 618-562-1158 Lee Simmental Farm • 573-387-4368 Point Creek Simmental • 920-693-8143 Bramlet Simmentals • 618-841-6763 Breezeway Simmental • 217-871-1474 Fairfield Family Farm • 217-840-3110 Huizenga Farms • 815-772-8114 Woodrow/Simms • 618-316-0039 Reiny Way Acres • 715-573-7891 Doug and Debbie Parke 153 Bourbon Hills • Paris, KY 40361 859-987-5758 • 859-987-0709 fax Cell: 859-421-6100 email: pleent@aol.com Joe Beckett • 606-782-11802009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=49http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=492009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=50http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=50RESEARCH & NEW PRODUCTS More Research Needed on RFI Researchers at Kansas State University (KSU) are calling for more research on the heritability of residual feed intake (RFI) in heifers. A KSU study indicates that heifers sired by bulls with low RFI merit performed no differently than heifers sired by bulls with high RFI merit. RFI is defined as “the difference between what an animal eats and what it is predicted to eat, based on its size and growth. Animals with low RFI eat less than expected for their level of production and are more efficient than animals with a high RFI. CONTINUED Study Finds Potential in Feeding Culls Researchers at KSU have found that it may be well worth a producer’s time and money to keep cull cows a bit longer before shipping them to market. By putting cows on concentrated feed for 70-90 days, producers can add enough value to make the practice economically worthwhile, depending on feed costs and the cow market at the time. According to KSU meat scientist, Dr. Michael Dikeman, and meat science specialists John Unruh and John Jaeger, cows in one study netted nearly $172 per head with value per head increasing from $54.50 to $77.00 per hundredweight. Docility is Major Convenience Trait Cattle docility is rightfully regarded among the most significant convenience traits, along with calving ease, polledness, and heat tolerance. “Flighty” cattle cost time and money, keeping other cattle stirred up; damaging handling facilities; hurting themselves, other cattle and their human handlers. Aggressive behavior is attributed to three primary factors: 1) learned behavior from a dam or other animals in the herd; 2) it is in the animal’s genes – disposition has moderately high heritability; and 3) the human factor, which includes whipping, shouting or otherwise mistreating the animal. Distiller’s Grain Effect on Beef Quality The availability and use of wet distiller’s grains in beef finishing diets is continuing to increase as the ethanol industry expands and some Texas AgriLife Research scientists are attempting to determine if that will affect meat purchases. Concern is that replacing corn, primarily starch with distiller’s grains, which have essentially no starch, will reduce blood glucose and negatively affect marbling. Final data indicated that feeding 35% west distiller’s grains in finishing diets may decrease the shelf life of beef, but is likely to have little impact on beef taste and quality. 48 SIMTALK CONTINUED ON PAGE 502009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=51http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=512009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=52http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=52RESEARCH & NEW PRODUCTS Computer Use Doubles A study by University of Missouri livestock specialist Eldon Cole finds that the percentage of respondents who own a computer used for the farm has nearly doubled, from 29% in 1994 to the current level of 55%. In addition, Cole found that an impressive 75 to 80% of the cattle producers who answered the survey said they used EPDs when making breeding stock selections. This question was first asked in 2003, and has not changed significantly since then. The most watched EPDs are for calving ease and birth weight. CONTINUED Gold Standard Opens New Lab Gold Standard Labs, a leading private diagnostic laboratory for testing cattle for detection of persistently infected (PI) with Bovine Viral diarrhea (BVD) virus, has opened its fifth facility, this one located in Bowling Green, KY. Other Gold Standard labs are located in Hereford, Shiner and Schwertner, TX, and in Garden, City, KS. The decision to place a lab east of the Mississippi was in part, a response to the needs of High Plains feedlots, according to a company press release. Cattle can be tested prior to shipping to the stocker or feeder phase — thus minimizing BVD spread. Manure As Fertilizer Role Examined One of the major problems for confined feeding operations is what to do with stockpiled manure. USDA has evaluated the role that manure plays as both a fertilizer and an energy source. The evaluation found that only 5% of all US cropland is currently fertilized with livestock manure, and corn acres account for more than half of that total. It was also determined that expanded environmental regulations will likely lead to wider such use of manure. The report indicates that manure used to produce methane and electricity would be limited and won’t be sufficient to compete with its use as fertilizer. Ritchie Adds Eco-Founts Ritchie Industries has announced addition of two new livestock waterers — the EcoFount I and EcoFount 2, which join the existing line of products offered by the Iowa-based company. A flip-top cover is new with the EcoFount waterers. The unique design supports ease of cleaning and maintenance and is solidly connected to the waterer on both ends by a steel rod. The units are fully enclosed with thermal caps to keep heat in and maintain cooler water during summer months. More information is available by calling 800-747-0222 or at www.ritchiefount.com. CONTINUED ON PAGE 52 50 SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=53http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=5335 Head of Simmental and Angus 20-Month-Old Bulls (scan data available) Sired by: In Dew Time, Lucky Man, Invasion, Hummer, Matrix, New Level and In Focus. 50 Head of Simmental and Angus Fall Yearling Bulls (scan data available) Sired by: Pacesetter, Star Power, Invasion, Dew Time, Fortunate Son, Predestined and Matrix. 60 Head of Commercial Spring Bred SimAngus Heifers AI’d to Mytty In Focus. 45 day breeding season. Ultra-sounded safe in calf. Black Purebred Simmental • #2476134 Sire: Pacesetter • Mat. Sire: Built Right EPDs: 12 -.5 35 71 5.5 4 22 Carcass EPDs: CW: 4 YG: .01 MB: .02 RE: .19 API: 110 TI: 64 30 Head of Registered Spring Bred Simmental and Angus Heifers AI’d to In Dew Time, Stetson, Ever Ready, Final Answer, Mainline and Titus. 45 day breeding season. Ultra-sounded safe in calf. 30 Head of Registered Spring Bred SimAngus Cows AI Bred, 45 day breeding season, Club calf producers, 3-6 years of age All Cattle available Now. Call to schedule a viewing time. Videos available on 10/15/09 at www.cowcampbeef.com Black Blaze Purebred Simmental • #2476148 Sire: Fortunate Son • Mat. Sire: Built Right EPDs: 8 .4 27 52 1.5 11 25 Carcass EPDs: CW: -5.6 YG: -.01 MB: .07 RE: .12 API: 106 TI: 58 Lost Springs, Kansas 785-983-4487 Kent 785-965-7168 Mark 785-258-2039 Nolan mcbrunner@cowcampbeef.com Homozygous Black 1/2 Blood • #2476168 Sire: In Dew Time • Mat. Sire: Calculator EPDs: – -1.9 24 45 – 3 15 Carcass EPDs: CW: -13.3 YG: .20 MB: .71 RE: -.25 API: 125 TI: 712009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=54http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=54RESEARCH & CONTINUED NEW PRODUCTS CALENDAR OCTOBER 24 24 24 24 24 25 26 27-1 28 31 31 Double R Proven Genetics Sale — Jamesport, MO Pennsylvania Fall Classic — Waynesburg, PA Sargeant Farms Production Sale — Forest Lake, MN Simbrah Synergy II Sale — Giddings, TX Tennessee State Sale — Murfreesboro, TN Hawkeye Simmental Sale — Bloomfield, IA Hudson Pines Living Legacy Sale — Sleepy Hollow, NY American Royal Livestock Show — Kansas City, MO Triple C Farms Kansas Division Complete & Total Dispersal Sale — Manhattan, KS 7P Ranch Annual Production Sale — Tyler, TX National Simmental Sale, American Royal — Kansas City, MO Pfizer Introduces Pinkeye Medication Pfizer Animal Health has issued a one-step process for vaccination against pinkeye caused by Moraxella bovis. SolidBac® Pinkeye IR/PR® aids in the prevention and control of pinkeye by administering both the initial and booster doses at the same time. The SoliDoser® applicator delivers two antigen pellets into the animal in one step. The immediate release (IR) pellet introduces pinkeye antigens to the immune system immediately. The second programmed release pellet (PR) delivers pinkeye antigens slowly over a two-to-three-week period, providing the required booster dose. In related news, Pfizer Animal Genetics has moved its DNA-testing facilities from Harahan, LA, to new custom-built facilities in Kalamazoo, MI, the headquarters of Pfizer Animal Health’s Veterinary Medical Research and Development. NOVEMBER 5 7 7 7 7 8 8 13 14 14 16 22 27 28 28 29 Gateway Breeding Value “Ladies Only” Sale — Lewistown, MT Irvine Ranch Annual Bull Sale — Manhattan, KS Land of Lincoln Premier Group Sale — Altamont, IL Professional Beef Genetics Open House Bull Sale — Montrose, MO Wildberry Farms Private Treaty Bred Female Sale — Hanover, IL Heartland Simmental Performance with Class Sale — Waverly, IA The Ante Up Sale “Fall Edition 4” — Urbana, OH Kube Simmental Complete Dispersal Sale — Worthing, SD Gibbs Farms 4th Annual Bull & Replacement Heifer Sale — Ranburne, AL Moser Ranch 18th Annual Production Sale — Wheaton, KS North American Select Simmental Sale — Louisville, KY North Central Simmental Fall Classic — Northwood, IA Walsh Simmental Harvest Gold — Hubbard, NE Genetic Perfection Sale — Fremont, NE Remington Land & Cattle Commercial Bred Heifer Sale — Fort Macleod, AB, Canada Janssen Farms “The Chosen Few Female” Sale — Gilmore City, IA NH Tests Offered Pfizer Animal Genetics is now offering a new diagnostic test for the genetic defect known as Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH). In collaboration with Dr. Jon Beever of the University of Illinois, Dr. David Steffen of the University of Nebraska and the American Angus Association, the gene mutation responsible for NH has been identified and a commercial test has been developed and validated. A lethal genetic defect, NH affects Angus and Angus-influenced cattle. Calves carrying two recessive genes — resulting from the mating of two carrier animals — are born dead with an extremely large cranium with little or no brain matter or spinal cord. It is probable that a large number of mortalities relating to NH occur through embryonic failure during gestation, causing the defect to go misdiagnosed or unnoticed. Pfizer is also running an Osteopetrosis (OS) test, a lethal genetic gene that influences Red Angus cattle. Calves born with OS have a short lower jaw and impacted molars and if they are born alive, generally die within 24 hours. DECEMBER 1 3 5 5 5 5 5 5 10 12 12 12 15 18 19 19 Neva Simmentals Private Treaty Sale — Kensal, ND Connors Bull Test Sale — Warner, OK J&C Simmentals "Your Opportunity" Female Sale — West Point, NE Mallet Simmental Female Sale — San Saba, TX Maternal Building Block II Sale — Brush, CO Northern Lights Simmental Sale — Salem, SD Sunshine Farms 13th Annual Carcass-Merit Bull Sale — Clanton, AL Remington Land & Cattle Commercial Bred Heifer Sale — High River, AB, Canada Meyer Simmental Ranch Annual Sale — Mandan, ND Kentucky Fall Genetic 2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=55http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=552009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=56http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=56Rates and Policies CALENDAR S imTalk is an 8 1⁄8 x 10 7⁄8 inch publication produced by the Register, the official publication of the American Simmental Association. SimTalk offers a mail circulation of approximately 30,000 copies with additional copies for hand distribution. The SimTalk mailing list is comprised of non-member commercial producers, agribusinesses and active American Simmental Association members. Space Rates for SimTalk (All Black and White) Ad Sizes Full page ⅔ page ½ page ⅓ page ¼ page ⅛ page 3” mini 2” mini 1” card National Rates $890 $760 $510 $380 $260 $150 $115 $85 $65 CONTINUED FEBRUARY 1 3 5 6 9 7 10-13 10 10 11 13 13 13 13 13 14 15 16 20 21 22 22 25 26 27 27 Gateway Simmental Bull Sale — Lewistown, MT Big Sky Genetic Source Bull Sale — Wibaux, MT Uppin the Ante Bull Sale — Bismarck, ND Prickly Pear Simmental Ranch Made In Montana Sale — Helena, MT Bata Bros./Olafson Bros. Joint Bull & Female Sale — Rugby, ND Trauernicht Simmental Annual Production Sale — Beatrice NE National Farm Machinery Show — Louisville, KY River Creek Farms Simmental and SimAngus Production Sale — Manhattan, KS Wilkinson/C Diamond Breeding For the Future Sale — Napolean, ND Lassle/Skillestad Ranches Annual Production Sale — Glendive, MT Berger's Herdmaster SimAngus Hybrid Bull Sale — North Platte, NE Grass-Lunning Bull Sale — LeRoy, MN Iowa Simmental Association Annual Meeting — Des Moines, IA Kenner Simmental Ranch 14th Annual Production Sale — Bismarck, ND Mississippi-Dixie National Simmental Sale — Jackson, MS Iowa Simmental Association Annual Banquet — Des Moines, IA Iowa Simmental Association Annual Expo Sale — Des Moines, IA Hook Farms Annual Bred for Balance Bull Sale — Tracy, MN Kappes Simmental Production Sale — Aberdeen, SD Springer Simmentals Value Based Genetics Bull Sale — Decorah, IA Bulls of the Big Sky Sale — Billings, MT Hart Farms Beef Builder Bull Sale — Frederick, SD Reynoldson & Arrow K Sale — Albion, NE Cow Camp Ranch Spring Bull Sale — Lost Springs, KS Minnesota State Simmental Sale — Rochester, MN Sunset View Farms Family Traditions Bull Sale — Auburn, KY SimTalk is now accepting color ad inserts, at a per-page cost of $1,700. Deadlines for Publication January Issue — December 3 Advertising materials (including photos) must be in the Register office by the dates listed above. SimTalk/the Register, which mails by bulk rate, assumes no responsibility for actual receipt date. Photo Charges Black and white photo’s will be billed at $12.50 each; color photo’s will be billed at $25 each. Layouts & Proofs Requests for special layouts should be in the Register office by the 10th of the second month preceding publication. Although every effort will be made to provide proofs on all ads, proofs are guaranteed only if all ad material arrives in the Register office prior to deadline. Advertising Content SimTalk/the Register assumes no responsibility for the accuracy and truthfulness of submitted advertising copy, and has the right to refuse any ad copy or photos. Advertisers shall indemnify and hold harmless SimTalk/the Register for any claims concerning advertising content as submitted. Advertising containingpedigrees or statements regarding performance must conform to records kept by the American Simmental Association. Copy deviating from official records may be changed as necessary without advertiser consent. Editorial Policy Opinions expressed are the writers’ and not necessarily those of SimTalk. Photographs are welcome, but no responsibility is assumed for material while in transit or while in the office. MARCH 2 3 5 6 6 6 6 11 12-21 13 13 13 13 19 20 20 20 23 24 25 27 Remington Land & Cattle Spring Bull Sale — Del Bonita, AB, Canada Janssen Farms Scale Buster Bull Sale — Dunlap, IA Eichacker Simmental Bull Sale — Salem, SD Kentucky Beef Expo — Louisville, KY Seventh Annual Circle B Production Sale — Uniontown, AL Trinity Farms Royal Flush Sale — Ellensburg, WA Walsh Simmental Bull Sale — Hubbard, NE Cattleman's Kind Bu2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=57http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=57GAR Predestined 7AN222 13395344 Sire: 036 • MGS: EXT • Described by many as ‘The Best Beef Bull in the Business’ • #8 for $B with EVERY $Value Index Ranking in the Top 10% of the Breed • High $W, High $B, Positive for $EN and below average for YH — He’s the Only One! • Talk about Shelf Life — Predestined’s Value Lasts and Lasts CRA Bextor 872 5205 608 7AN207 13009379 Sire: BAR Ext • MGS: Sleep Easy • ‘Mr. Balance’ offers positive improvement for a long list of traits • No Extremes — Bextor is Proven to Sire Good Cattle that Do Their Job! • Calving, Growth, Milk and Carcass — Bextor Brings It! BAR Ext Traveler 205 7AN178 12452829 Sire: EXT MGS: 6807 • The ‘King of Calving Ease’ • Proven Sire Incredible Females with Super Udders • +12 CED and +38 for $W • BAR Ext Personifies Longevity — He’s still running around at nearly 14 years of age! SELECT SIRES, INC. 11740 U.S. 42 • Plain City, OH 43064-0143 614-873-4683 • FAX: 614-873-5751 • www.selectsires.com AW/SS-Burlington, WA 360-757-6093 COBA/SS-Columbus, OH 614-878-5333 CV/SS-Logan, UT 435-752-2022 EC/SS-Waupun, WI 920-324-3505 KABA/SS-Louisville, KY 502-425-1868 NorthStar/SS-East Lansing, MI 517-351-3180 MN/SS-St. Cloud, MN 320-259-6680 PS/SS-Hampshire, IL 847-464-5281 SE/SS-Spring Hill, TN 931-489-2020 SSP-Rocky Mount, VA 540-483-51232009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=58http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=58AD INDEX Alabama Gibbs Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Indian Creek Cattle Company . . . . . . . . . 60 Moore Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Sunshine Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 California Circle Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Kenwood Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Land of Lincoln Premier Group Sale . . . . 46 Osborne Simmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Sunny View Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Travis Simmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Wildberry Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Woodrow/Simms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Kansas Cow Camp Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Dikeman Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Dixson Farms, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Four Starr Simmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Moser Ranch, The . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Pelton Simmental/Red Angus . . . . . . . . . . 57 River Creek Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 SEK Genetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Sunflower Genetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Indiana M&J Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Colorado Altenburg Simmental Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Flolkoski, Steve and Gail . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Lewis, Matt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Yearous, Duane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Iowa Bielenberg Angus & Simmental . . . . . . . . 48 Cason’s Pride & Joy Simmental . . . . . . . . 45 Hawkeye Sale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Heartland Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 HRM Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Iowa Beef Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 James Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Janssen Farms Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Jass Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 K-C Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 McDermott’s Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 McGlothlen Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Moore’s Simmental Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Reck Brothers & Sons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Van Aernam Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Ver Ploeg Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 VWF Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Kentucky DP Sales Management . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 49 Kelly’s Simmental Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 North American Select Simmental Sale . . 49 Georgia Pine Ridge Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Michigan Freedom Run Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Idaho Bar 11 Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Promise Land Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 RYMO Cattle Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Minnesota Eberspacher Enterprises, Inc. . 9, 37, 45, 53 Hook Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Oak Meadow Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Sargeant Farms Simmental Cattle . . . . . . 13 Illinois Bramlet Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Breezeway Simmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Diamond A Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Fairfield Family Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 H&K Simmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Huizenga Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Mississippi Little Creek Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35, 60 Missouri Cattle Visions Genetics and Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27, 56 Flying H Genetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Lee Simmental Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Owen Bros. Cattle Co. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Rotert/Harriman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SHO-ME Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Steaks Alive Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BC Montana American Simmental Association . . . . . . . . . .2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=59http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=592009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=60http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=60AD INDEX Nebraska (continued) Felt Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Forster Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 J&C Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 32 Kube Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Sloup Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Trauernicht Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Triangle J Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 21 Western Cattle Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 CONTINUED Texas Bartush Simmentals & Simbrahs . . . . . . . 13 Buzzard Hollow Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Dutton Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Flying F Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Fullblood Simmental Fleckvieh Federation . . . . . . . . . . IBC, 60 La Muñeca-Flores Cattle Co. . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Mallett Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Mitchell Lake Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Pine Ridge Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Possum Trot Ranch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Schwake Cattle Services, Roy . . . . . . . . . 35 Livestock Services ABS Global . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Accelerated Genetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 56 Cattle Visions Genetics and Consulting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27, 56 DP Sales Management . . . . . . . . . . . 46, 49 Eberspacher Enterprises, Inc. . . 9, 37, 45, 53 EdjeCast.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25, 49 Genex Cooperative Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 56 Professional Beef Genetics . . . . . . . . . . . 11 ORIgen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Schwake Cattle Services, Roy . . . . . . . . . 35 SEK Genetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Select Sires, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Star G Ranch, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Superior Productions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 North Dakota Dakota Xpress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Ellingson Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 James Creek Simmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Kenner Simmental Production Sale . . 16, 25 North Dakota Simmental Association . . . . 16 Olafson Brothers Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . 16 SRF Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 SYS Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 TNT Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Washington Trinity Farms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 West Virginia Wheatland Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Miscellaneous 70:70 Beef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC American Simmental Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC, 2, 33, 34 eDiscounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Fleckvieh Simmental Body Building Bovine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Gold Bullion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 GRB Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 SimChoice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IFC Total Herd Enrollment (THE) . . . . . . . 13, 16 Ohio Select Sires, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Wisconsin ABS Global . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Accelerated Genetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17, 56 Genex Cooperative Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . 47, 56 Maggle Simmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Point Creek Simmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Reiny Way Acres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Oklahoma ETR Cattle Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 South Dakota Benda Simmentals, Jim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Eichacker Simmentals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Traxinger Simmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Canada Bar 5 Simmental Stock Farms, Ltd. . . . . . 60 Circle 3 Genetics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 ST 58 SIMTALK2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=61http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=612009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=62http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=62Contact these Breeders for your 2009 Model Bar 5 Simmental Stock Farms Ltd. and circle BAR Buzzard Hollow Ranch Les Alberthal, Owner Fred Schuetze, Director of Livestock Oper. PO Box 968 Granbury, TX 76048 Phone: 817-573-0957 Fax: 817-573-0967 bhr@frontierbroadband.com www.BHR-Simmentals.com Circle 3 Genetics Office #636077, Holland – Euphrasia Townline R.R. #3, Markdale, ON, Canada, N0C 1H0 Phone: (519) 986-1330 • Fax: (519) 986-4736 Email: bar5admin@xplornet.com Genetics Gregory P. Kemp Owner Website: www.bar5.com Ron Nolan Cell: (905) 330-5299 ron@bar5.com Andreas Buschbeck Cell: (519) 270-3258 andreas@bar5.com 256.830.5969 7079 University Dr. W. Huntsville, AL 35806 email: Kempgregory@netscape.net H & K Simmental Full Fleckvieh • Fullblood Harvey & Kathleen Junge 6318 Oak Grove Rd. H Steeleville, IL 62288 K 618-965-3258 Wheatland Farm Gilbert P. Wright Jr., Owner 7099 Engle Molers Rd Shepherdstown,WV 25443 304-876-6530 SIMMENTAL FARM Walker & Deborah Kelly F blood Simment a ull l KELLY’S t l e C r e e i t k L F N L TA lec kvieh F ederatio 472 Hobart Estes Rd. Lancaster, Ky 40444 859-792-6748 FL E C KV I E H S I M ME Fleckvieh Simmental and Red Angus Cattle Y L C 100% Fleckvieh Herd Mitchell Lake Ranch BU O ILD IN G B V LITTLE CREEK FARM Mikell and Mary Cheek Davis, Owners 1103 Artesia Road • Starkville, MS 39759 Home: 662-323-0744 • Cell: 662-418-0686 FAX: 662-324-7721 www.littlecreekfleckvieh.com n IN BO E F M&J Farms Mark & Nikki Jones 5075 N 850 E Attica, IN 47918 Phone: 765-572-2302 Mobile: 765-426-1877 mnjones4@yahoo.com D Jim Ethridge and Donna Adams 9834 James Cemetery Road Franklin, TX 77856-5838 979-828-5316 • 979-255-2882 cell Jim.Ethridge@hughes.net www.mitchelllakeranch.com Fullblood and Purebred Simmentals • Quality by Design MOORE FARMS Registered Simmental Cattle Fleckvieh Simmentals BILLY S. MOORE, M.D. Simmentals: Full Fleckvieh & Full South African James and Daniel Faubus, Owner Robert Wood, Manager 9004 CR 916 • Godley, TX 76044 Ranch: (817) 309-2291 Ranch Mgr Cell: (817) 713-3111 Fullblood • Purebreds 6091 MOORES MILL ROAD HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA 35811 256-852-3979 HOME 256-852-3373 BARN 256-852-3413 FAX Freedom Run Farm FSFF P.O. Box 490 Granbury, TX 76048 (817) 776-0346 fsff@frontierbroadband.com www.fleckvieh.com Elite Fleckvieh Genetics South African & German Polled • Horned Bob & Anne-Marie Rasch 9105 Bethel Church Rd. Manchester, Michigan Phone: 734-216-6834 www.freedomrunfarm.com Email: Info@freedomrunfarm.com Fleckvieh Fleckvieh Dutton Simmentals Jack A. Dutton 936-449-4612 • Cell: 936-524-3820 P.O.Box 426 Dobbin,Texas email: jadutton32@cs.com www.DuttonSimmentals.com2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=63http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=632009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=64http://simmgene.ipaperus.com/OnlinePublications/LateFallSimTalk2009/?Page=64John & Jeanne Scorse P.O. BOX 3832 • Joplin, MO 64803 Web Site: www.steaksalive.com Phone: 417-437-0911 E-mail: scorsej@steaksalive.com2009-10-13T23:11:02+02:00