Eared Cattle Highlighted at BIF Birthplace of the Industry Beef in Australia Brahman Crossbred Performance Briggs Ranches Cowman Selected

Serving the Bos indicus Cattle Industry of America | June 2012

Eared Cattle Highlighted at BIF Birthplace of the Industry Beef in Australia Brahman Crossbred Performance Briggs Ranches Cowman Selected. Cowman Proven.

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Tri Star Sale Briggs October 19th-20th Bloomington, TX 200+ Star 5 Santa Gertrudis Commercial Females Ranches 60 Performance Santa PO Box 1417 l Victoria, Texas 77902 (361)573-7141 Gertrudis Bulls Joe Jones, Manager (361)897-1337 60 Top Quality Registered l E-mail Joe Jones: l E-mail Robert Briggs: Santa Gertrudis Females [email protected] [email protected] Traylor Division (Bloomington, Texas) San Roque Division San Carlos Division (Catarina, Texas) (Rio Grande, Texas) The EAR june 2012 | 1 Last month I covered some of the topics presented at the 2012 Beef Improvement Fed- eration’s 44th Annual Research Symposium and Meeting held in Houston on April 18-21 and hosted jointly by American Brahman Breeders Association and Texas A&M AgriL- ife Extension. Over 300 folks attended from a number of states and countries including a Columns group from South Africa. 4 Have You Heard...the Truth 6 The Science of Bos indicus 6

491 years ago, the “new world” was surely a very different place than today, an ocean Features away from any “civilization,” and an area 10 Cattle Ranching in Florida - that held the promise of golden cities and a fountain of youth. In the time since, empires Birthplace of the Industry have fallen, towns and cities sprung up seemingly everywhere, our great country 14 Beef in Australia was born, and our daily lives have changed Brahman Crossbred Performance in tremendously. One thing, however, over all 18 the years and through all the change has Multiple Beef Industry Segments existed and thrived- The Florida Cattle In- dustry! 10 Departments 28 Brahman Headlines Australia’s beef industry is thriving and looks to get better as the world popula- 29 Brangus Headlines tion is increasing exponentially. Australian beef producers are taking “feed the world” 30 Santo Gertrudis Headlines to a whole new level as 65% of all beef pro- 32 Simbrah Headlines duced within the country is exported. The major export markets for beef are Asia, primarily Japan and Korea, and to the U.S. Australia has only 26 million beef cattle and calves compared to Brazil’s 185 million head, but Australia is a narrow 2nd in beef Other exports to Brazil, exporting almost 3 billion 32 Industry News pounds per year. Australia also exports a 14 tremendous amount of live cattle, predomi- 34 Bos inducus Bulletin Board nantly to Indonesia. As the world population grows and Australian breeders become 35 Advertiser’s Index increasingly efficient, the export opportuni- 36 Calendar ties will continue to grow.

On the Cover: Brahman crossbred cows comprise a large portion of the U.S. cow-calf industry, pro- Brahman females at La ducing calves of generally ¼ or less Brah- Muneca~ Cattle Company, man inheritance. Brahman cattle are well- Linn, TX. adapted to conditions across the Southern United States. Some calves are managed as stockers in the South and some are fed in South Texas or Southern Arizona, but the majority of Southern cattle enter the stocker and feeder segments on the Great Plains. The obvious environmental differences between that region and the South 18 are climatic and nutritional. 2 | june 2012 The EAR The most genetically secure Brangus bulls in the world. lds

23Y40 | Cadence x 23M28 820Y2 | Catawba Warrior x 820W196 23Y42 | Cadence x 23M28 535Y6 | Catawaba Warrior x 535U066 BW WW YW M TM SC REA IMF FT BW WW YW M TM SC REA IMF FT BW WW YW M TM SC REA IMF FT BW WW YW M TM SC REA IMF FT

o 2-Year- Coming 0.8 40 63 19 38 0.5 0.48 0.07 -0.009 -0.4 35 66 17 35 1.1 0.84 0.07 0.007 1.2 44 68 18 40 0.6 0.5 0.07 -0.009 1.6 38 66 19 38 0.9 0.5 0 0.008

23Y69 | Patton x 23M28 209Y2 | Lambert x 209L11 468Y9 | Whitfield x 468P30 BW WW YW M TM SC REA IMF FT BW WW YW M TM SC REA IMF FT BW WW YW M TM SC REA IMF FT -1.3 32 60 11 27 1.1 0.45 0.06 -0.017 1.9 33 68 7 24 0.4 0.77 0.24 0.013 1.8 50 68 9 34 0.6 0.9 0.21 0 earlings Y Buy the Numbers. 392Y25 | LTD x 392P74 BW WW YW M TM SC REA IMF FT -1.7 21 39 11 22 0.6 0.55 0.09 -0.009 October 26th Selling 100 Brangus Bulls & 70 Registered Females www.aspenedgemarketing.com

The EAR june 2012 | 3 Have You Heard....

Serving the Bos indicus the Truth Cattle Industry of America The EAR Magazine This spring parts of drought stricken c/o AMS Genetics Texas and Oklahoma have been receiving PO Box 10 rains that have sparked an interim de- Wheelock, TX 77882 mand of breeding cattle. Producer con- Physical: fidence is still not completely back to the 10541 E OSR levels needed to see the expected buying Hearne, TX 77859 frenzy when the U.S. rebuild is officially Phone: 979/219-4599 declared underway. With that said, re- Fax: 979/828-5532 cord prices and sale averages of replace- www.theearmagazine.com ment cattle have been being set as ranchers begin restocking vacated pastures. Crystal Devoll Editor/Publisher 979/820-8358 Most replacement sales have seen Bos indicus females [email protected] dominate ring value because of the shifting industry senti- ment that environmental adaptability is the difference of an Brad Wright Billing operation surviving unrelenting heat and drought. 979/219-4599 [email protected] The Ear magazine is celebrating our one year anniversary.

Mark Cowan Over this past year we have brought you factual informa- Advertising Sales tion from credible sources that supports Bos indicus cattle 903/495-4522 and their positive attributes. This month we are featuring [email protected] articles that substantiates that “Eared” cattle are equivalent Kyle Devoll to their Bos tarus contemporaries in the feedlot and on the Advertising Sales rail. Basically, research has proven that there is not any fun- 979/820-8362 [email protected] damentally profit trait differences from pasture to the plate between breed compositions. On the other hand, research Richard Hood has also proven that production trait differences are signifi- Advertising Sales 979/225-6140 cantly different in cattle that are heat tolerant compared to [email protected] those that are not. The drought of 2010 and 2011 has made ranchers rally back to the fundamentals of having a cow base Trey Kirkpatrick Advertising Sales that survives in their environment and use a bull that fits 979/324-5518 their market. [email protected] We at The Ear want to extend a “Hats Off” to V8 Brah- Member: man and Shorthorn Ranch, Hungerford, TX for their recent recognition of the Beef Improvement Federation’s Seedstock producer of the year.

Published on the first day of each month. Correspondence on all phases of the cattle business is invited. Publisher reserves exclusive right to accept Sincerely, or reject advertising or editorial material submitted for publication in The EAR magazine. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to : The EAR c/o AMS Richard Hood Genetics, PO Box 10, Wheelock, Texas 77882, 979-219-4599, FAX 979-828- 5532.

4 | june 2012 The EAR The J.D. Hudgins family has selected for “Beef-Type”Brahmans for over 100 Years Our American Grey Brahmans are bred for Beef Qualities Capacity Bone Uniformity and Disposition

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The EAR june 2012 | 5 The Science of Bos indicus Eared CATTLE featuring Dr. Joe Paschal Professor & Livestock Specialist Texas AgriLife Extension Highlighted at Beef Corpus Christi, Texas Improvement Meeting

Last month I covered some of the topics presented at the 2012 Beef Improve- the ranch. One tour ment Federation’s 44th Annual Research Symposium and Meeting held in went to J.D. Hudgins, Houston on April 18-21 and hosted jointly by American Brahman Breeders Inc., in Hungerford, Association and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Over 300 folks attended V8 Ranch in Boling from a number of states and countries including a group from South Africa. and Wendt Ranch (Santa Gertrudis) in The first evening had a social followed by a presentation by Dr. Larry Cundiff Bay City. The other on the “Impact of Bos indicus Genetics on the Beef Industry”. Dr. Cundiff tour went to Vineyard was the Director of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Cattle Co. (Brangus)near Magnet, then to Graham Feedyard south of Gon- Clay Center, NE, until his retirement a few years ago and is an internationally zales and then to Collier Farms (Beefmaster) just east of Brenham. I had the known geneticist and researcher. Researchers at Clay Center or USMARC pleasure of going on the second. have been doing germplasm evaluation studies since the 1960s and Dr. Cun- diff has been involved in most of these. In these studies, cow breedtypes and The Upper Gulf Coast of Texas was at its best with a cool day with low hu- crosses and evaluated through 7 years of age and included cows of various midity (even if a bit windy) and plenty of green grass when we drove into Dr. percentages of Bos indicus genetics. Dr. Cundiff showed that the Bos indi- Robert Vineyard’s. Dr. Vineyard had plenty of refreshments and talked about cus cross cow demonstrated increased efficiency even though in the cow wet the history of the ranch and the Brangus breed. He had different cow families spring calving periods calf mortality increased in cows with at least 50% Bos placed in traps and as we drove by each he discussed how he began 39 years indicus blood. Postweaning performance lower during the winter months ago with a handful of Angus heifers and now has one of the premier Brangus for calves of that were at 25% or more Bos indicus and they were to be older herds in the US (and records and data to prove it). Dr. Vineyard showed the at puberty as well. Increasing Bos indicus influence reduced tenderness and tour one group of three cows that included a ¼ Brahman-3/4 Angus, an F1, research suggests that adding 25% Bos indicus influence increased shear force and a ¾ Brahman-1/4 Angus. It probably wasn’t startling to anyone who (toughness) by about 1.5 pounds. has been around Eared cattle but the cameras of our northern guests were certainly taking a lot of pictures! He also spoke on the UltraBlack program But Dr. Cundiff said that it was “pretty obvious” that cattle with Bos indicus (BrangusxAngus), maintaining 3/16 Brahman and producing an animal with influence are adapted to the hot and humid conditions of the South, 50% more Angus characteristics. along the Gulf Coast to 75% or more in more harsh climates. He did say he believes that cattle of up to 25% Bos indicus blood are adapted to the From Vineyard Cattle Co. we left the Gulf Coast and traveled into south cen- northern regions of the US, possibly even Canada. The USMARC data shows tral Texas to Graham Land and Cattle Co. Feedyard where Jay Gray, General that the Bos indicus cross cow excels in efficiency and productivity, especially Manager discussed the background and operation of the feedyard, how cattle as measured by weaning weight per cow exposed as breeding, due in part to are handled and managed, and how Eared cattle perform in the feedyard and heterosis effects for reproduction and maternal ability (especially in terminal on the rail as carcasses. We then toured the feedyard and Jay pointed out pens crosses) in the cow as well as for growth in the calf. Dr. Cundiff stated that of cattle that were being fed for the Nolan Ryan Tender Aged Beef Program there is a role for Bos indicus cattle and their crosses not only globally but in and talked about their performance. In the past, at other BIF meetings in the a larger part of the US than most folks usually think. north, I have been on feedyard tours where mostly British and Continental European cattle and their crosses were being fed. Only when BIF is hosted On the second night we took the entire group to Rosenberg to the Ft. Bend in Texas (in 1990, 2001 and 2012) do out of state attendees get to see Eared County Fairgrounds where County Extension Agent Allen Malone had set cattle on feed. I think the size, growth, muscling and performance (ADG up for us a “stress free” cattle handling demonstration conducted by Dr. Ron and low morbidity and mortality) comes as a surprise based on comments Gill. Dr. Gill demonstrated to the crowd how to move cattle by letting them I was told on this and previous tours (the earlier tours were at King Ranch think that what they are doing is their idea. The Brahman heifers used in Feedyard). After a Nolan Ryan Tender Aged Beef hamburger we boarded the the demonstration worked beautifully and also changed the minds about the bus and drove to Collier Farms in Brenham. behavior of Brahman (and by association all Eared breeds) cattle. Unfortu- nately I was unable to watch the entire demonstration but if you ever have At Collier farms, Mike Collier and his wife Rhonda with their manager Trey a chance to go to one of these demonstrations, I highly encourage it, it will Scherer met us. Mike is the current president of Beefmaster Breeders United change your way of moving cattle! Afterwards the group was served a Nolan (BBU) and was the Breeder of the Year in 2006. They have been in the Beef- Ryan Guaranteed Tender Aged Beef steak dinner compliments of Dr. Charles master business since 1987 and have both registered Beefmaster as well as Graham, the American Breeds Coalition and Charlie Bradbury, CEO. Dr. E6 (BBU’s Commercial Female Program) herds. Collier Farms had a busy Graham provided his cooking crew and by all accounts that I heard, the week before with their annual production sale and had cattle in a E6 (BBU’s diners were very impressed by the tenderness and taste of the Nolan Ryan Commercial Female Program) Sale the next day after the tour but they had steaks. There were more than a few baked potatoes and even dessert left over several groups of their Beefmaster cattle that began with weaned heifers and but no steaks! proceeded in age to two-year olds with calves at side being rebred. Trey took the tour through each group discussing the breeding and selection program On Saturday, after the end of the official meetings, participants had their for each and fielding lots of general management questions. He ended up the choice of one of two tours to see Eared cattle in their natural environment, on tour showing some young bulls being developed. Many folks commented to 6 | june 2012 The EAR me how good the cattle looked, for many this was the first time that they had seen Beefmaster cattle up close and personal. Afterwards, Mike broke out the Blue Bell ice cream in various flavors and the Oreo cookies and answered questions. I left the bus after this visit ended and they went on back to the hotel in Houston to return their various homes have a new found apprecia- tion for Eared cattle and their importance not only to the South but to the rest of the United States!

Almost all the presentations are on the following website www.bifconference. com , some with summaries, slides and audio. I encourage you to take a minute and go to the website (it is maintained by Angus Productions In- Clockwise from top: Group touring Beefmaster cattle at Collier Farms in Brenham, TX; corporated who did a fantastic job of Eared cattle on feed at Graham Land & Cattle Co. Feedyard south of Gonzalez, TX; Dr. helping us getting this done) and has Vineyard of Vineyard Cattle Co. near Magnet, TX, sharing about his Brangus herd. information on the award winners as well. Next year’s Beef Improvement Federation meeting will be in Okla- homa City, June 12-15, 2013. After reading about this year’s and all the great things that were shown, said and demonstrated about Eared cattle, maybe you should plan to attend. v

BIF Tour at J.D. Hudgins, Inc., V8 Ranch & Wendt Ranch The group that toured the gulf coast ranches arrived at the J.D. Hudgins Inc. Touring Brahmans at office in Hungerford, Texas. They were greeted by J.D. Hudgins president, J.D. Hudgins, Inc. in Coleman Locke who gave the group background on the ranch and Brahman Hungerford, TX. cattle. The tour group was then invited to explore the office where all 5 divisions of J.D. Hudgins perform business, and where the company proudly displays its many show trophies, a map of countries where J.D. Hudgins has sold cattle internationally, historic animal pedigrees and of course a head mount of one of the Brahman breed’s most prominent bulls, Manso. Tour participants then loaded hay rides and explored all of the major ranch sites, with members of J.D. Hudgins as tour guides. The J.D. Hudgins tour concluded back in Hungerford at the local community center where participants had a chance to interact with J.D. Hudgins show animals, as well as have a nice lunch before heading to their second stop. Tour of V8 Ranch The V8 Ranch show barn welcomed BIF tour participants on the second leg Brahman operation of the gulf coast ranches trip. Jim Williams of V8 Ranch addressed the crowd, in Boling, TX. outlining all facets of the Brahman and Shorthorn ranch and giving credit to each member of the V8 team who work to make the ranch function. Guests explored the show barn area, where V8 had some 20 show cattle tied out, and guests also had the opportunity to experience a pen of ABBA Golden Certified F-1 Females. They looked at V8 Ranch’s show office that proudly displayed the many awards V8 has received over the years. From there, the tour group was taken to the headquarters of V8, where they signed the guest book, were offered a complementary V8 ranch gift and refreshment, and were able to view V8’s most recent trophy, the BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year award. They concluded the tour with a hay ride guided by Jim Williams and Brandon Cutrer, which gave participants a view of V8’s Registered Brah- Visiting Bay City, man herd and their embryo transfer program cattle. TX to tour Santa Gertrudis at the The group then headed to the Bay City, Texas area where they were greeted Wendt Ranch. by Dan Wendt and family at Wendt Ranch. Dan enlightened the audience about his Santa Gertrudis operation while they enjoyed treats prepared by Dan’s wife, Jane. He spoke of his operation’s background and also discussed some hot topics for Santa Gertrudis cattle, including the re-creation of the original breed from modern day Shorthorn (5/8) and Brahman cattle (3/8). Passengers boarded a final hay ride to tour Wendt ranch where they enjoyed views of Wendt Ranch’s heifers, two year old and three year old cows, as well as some Santa Gertrudis herd sires.

The EAR june 2012 | 7 It’s back...

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The EAR june 2012 | 9 cattle ranching in florida - Birthplace of the Industry by Dusty Holley Field Services Director - Florida Cattlemen’s Association

491 years ago, the “new world” was surely a very different place than today, an ocean away from any “civilization,” and an area that held the promise of golden cities and a fountain of youth. In the time since, empires have fallen, towns and cities sprung up seemingly everywhere, our great country was born, and our daily lives have changed tremendously. One thing, however, over all the years and through all the change has existed and thrived- The Flor- ida Cattle Industry!

In 1521, the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon brought to Florida cattle, pigs, and horses marking the first time these domesticated animals had set foot on what are now the United States. From here, Spanish colonists and missionar- ies founded ranches, and by the late 1600’s were shipping Florida cattle to Cuba. Following Spain’s removal from the area, Seminoles and other tribes of Native Americans began looking after and herding the cattle that roamed the Florida “Crackers” warming up their horses prior to a local ranch rodeo. native prairies, hammocks, and swamps. Cattle became vital to these Native Americans in both an economic and cultural sense. Due to our climate, poor natural forages and distance from the country’s During British rule, cattlemen from Georgia and the Carolinas began to run largest grain-growing areas, a very small number of Florida calves (other than cattle in the northern part of the state and soon the earliest instances of cattle retained heifers) stay “home” during their life cycle. While these challenges rustling were documented. In 1821, the United States took possession of limit the ability to finish cattle in Florida, the environment allows for cow- Florida and some of those early American pioneer ancestors still ranch in the calf operations to flourish; in fact, more of the largest cow-calf operations call state today. From central Florida, these “Cowhunters” or “Crackers” (as they Florida home than any other state in the Union, including the largest. were called) drove cattle as far as Jacksonville, Savannah, and Charleston pre- dating the earliest “western” cattle drives by many, many years. In the 1830s In addition to dictating the type of cattle operations that flourish in Florida, when the cattlemen re-established trade with Cuba, towns such as Tampa, the climate and other factors also dictate the makeup of the cow herd. Brah- Punta Gorda, and Punta Rassa became important export ports. man cattle and the American Breeds often provide the base of the cow herd, and their tolerance of heat and ability to thrive in harsh climates make them From these beginnings, the modern Florida cattle industry has evolved into a vital part of the state’s cattle industry’s success. one of the state’s largest economic drivers with an economic impact estimated in the billions. Primarily a cow-calf state with over one million “momma” While much of America today associates cattle, cowboys, and ranching with cows, Florida cattlemen care for calves from birth until weaning at around the West and Florida with beaches, oranges, and Disney World, it cannot be eight months of age. At this time, the calves are then shipped to other parts denied that Florida was the birthplace of the industry, home of the first cattle of the country to back-grounding, stocker, or feeding operations. drives, and continues to be a leader today. v

Commercial cattle operation around the Okeechobee, FL area.

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Premier Sponsor: Come enjoy our famous Aggie Prime Rib dinner! Registration fee: $160 12( |$ june20 20120 a f Theter EAARugust 1) Selling 1150 Head June 9th, 2012 l 10:00 am l Walking T Ranch l Melissa, TX Cattle will be on display and available for viewing at Melissa Feeders beginning June 8th. For earlier viewing, contact Trey Kirkpatrick at 979/324-5518. ANGUS l BRANGUS l BALDIES l SUPERBALDIES Offering 1150 head of replacement females in groups of 5 & 10: Bred Heifers (many AI bred to low birth weight Angus & Brangus Bulls) Exposed and Open Heifers 80 Head of Mature Bred Cows & Pairs

Melissa, TX is located 40 miles NE of Dallas, TX. Area hotels are located in McKinney, TX. For more information contact: Mark Cowan, [email protected], 903/495-4522 Trey Kirkpatrick, treyk@amscattle,com, 979/324-5518 Richard Hood, [email protected], 979/224-6150 Brad Wright, [email protected], 979/219-4599 www.amscattle.com For additional viewing of cattle contact: Mark Quinn, DVM 214/384-7859 [email protected] Cattle Solutions Cattle

The EAR june 2012 | 13 beef in Australia by Brad Wright

Australia’s beef industry is thriving and looks to get bet- ability to regulate birth weight. This allows these cows to be managed in very extensive conditions left to survive on their own. Herds in the Northern ter as the world population is increasing exponentially. Territory of Australia can exceed 100,000 head with mustering, or gather- Australian beef producers are taking “feed the world” to ing, only happening once or twice per year to sort off and sell the progeny. a whole new level as 65% of all beef produced within Replacement heifers are retained in almost all herds so that there is an inher- ent selection for cattle suited and adapted to their environment. In most of the country is exported. The major export markets for these herds, the conditions are so tough that a 50% calf crop is considered beef are Asia, primarily Japan and Korea, and to the U.S. acceptable. However, selection for fertility and efficiency are primary selec- Australia has only 26 million beef cattle and calves com- tion criteria to help improve on those numbers. Dr. Peter Barnard, a leading economist for Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), pared to Brazil’s 185 million head, but stated that a 1% increase in percent calf crop weaned, Australia is a narrow 2nd in beef exports across all breeders, could add more than one billion to Brazil, exporting almost 3 billion In most of dollars to the Australian beef industry. There is even pounds per year. Australia also exports ongoing research for improved fixed time AI proto- these herds, the cols that can hopefully be used in these large herds a tremendous amount of live cattle, pre- to increase pregnancy rate and reduce the number of dominantly to Indonesia. As the world conditions are cows that bulls must cover, similar to large programs population grows and Australian breed- so tough that a being run in Brazil and Argentina. ers become increasingly efficient, the The size of these operations allow for a wide variety export opportunities will continue to 50% calf crop of marketing avenues. Many breeders are not focused on one single marketing channel, but rather many grow. is considered channels that allow the producer to select which market will net the most dollars depending on envi- Domestically, recent advancements of the MSA (Meat acceptable. ronmental and market value conditions. These large Standards Australia) grading have put a new focus on breeders can export cattle live, or harvest cattle for a quality beef. The retail markets have responded favor- wide range of markets. In good years, with plenty of ably with many only selling MSA qualified beef. This grass, these calves can be grass finished to meet Japanese markets or in tough has improved profits for those breeders that are selecting and breeding for years, the cattle can be sold immediately. Small breeders can use the store improved carcass quality, and with further improvement, could lead to more sales, similar to our sale barns, to access stockers, feeders, and packers willing quality meat export markets for Australian beef producers. to take their cattle through the next phase of production. Over 70% of the beef cows used to meet these demands are Bos indicus or The important thing about Australian beef producers is that most make their Bos indicus influenced. The most prominent cow, especially in herds located living off the land. Managing these vast amounts of land and the large num- in Northern Australia, is the Brahman cow. Bos indicus cattle are a necessity bers of cattle is definitely a full time job. These producers are sound busi- due to their adaptability to harsh environments. These cattle have an innate nessmen and cattlemen that manage risk, manage loss, and work diligently ability to survive extremely hot summers while having an inherited resistance to improve their efficiencies and hopefully their bottom lines. As the cattle to ticks, flies, and other insects as well as the diseases they transmit. Bos in- numbers continue to grow and research allows for greater efficiency, Austra- dicus animals also have the ability to travel the long distances for forage and lian beef producers will continue to lead the charge in feeding beef to the water. The other factor that cannot be discounted is the Bos indicus female’s world. v

14 | june 2012 The EAR Left: Rocky Repro semen Right: Australian site in the Brangus bred cow with an Boulevard. Omar of Brinks calf at side. Below: Ced Wise (leading ET technician & partner in Below: Selection of Rocky Repro), Sally North, the Senior Champion Robin How & Julie Dodd in Female. deep discussions.

Right: Presentation of the Grand Champion ribbons by Marcos Borges on behalf of the IBBA.

Above: Sally & Ian Francis discussing Left: Presentation of Ian’s excellent calves by a full US bull the ribbons to a Senior purchased from Yabba-Do Brangus. Bull class winner in a class sponsored Left:Left: MarcosMorcus Borges, Borges, Buck Buck Thomason Thomason by Rocky Repro & && PatPat simmonsSimmons watching watching the the Inter- Inter- American Marketing BreedBreed showshow from from the the International International Services. Lounge.Lounge

Clockwise from top left: Rob Cook Clockwise from top left: Rob Cook telling his inspirational story; Panel telling his inspirational story; Panel Above: American visitors of Inter-Breed judges, including of Inter-Breed judges, including to BEEF 2012. John Locke of J.D. Hudgins, Inc. of John Locke of J.D. Hudgins, Inc. of Hungerford, TX; Ian Galloway with Hungerford, TX; Ian Galloway with Left: The Gala Dinner. opening remarks as Chairman of the opening remarks as Chairman of the Wolrd Brangus Congress planning World Brangus Congress planning committee. committee.

The EAR june 2012 | 15 Cow Creek Ranch genetics have withstood the test of time. The pro- You won’t find a cow herd like this anywhere else. Longevity gram was built on solid, reliable and functional cattle. For more than 20 years, the cattle business was the only business for the Reznicek family. The Cow Creek Ranch genetic program was developed in the real world environment with limited to no feed provisions under a forage-based management system. Cow Creek Ranch Sale In the late 1980’s Cow Creek Ranch began to identify genetic Friday, October 12, 2012 • 11 am Consistency lines with which to build a program. During the past two decades Cow Creek Ranch stacked genetics to create a genetical- at the ranch near Aliceville, Alabama ly prepotent cow herd. The goal was to build Featuring the dispersal of the entire forage-based a cow herd with a homozygous gene Spring Calving Cow Creek Ranch Cow Herd base that produced progeny with little genetic variation. And to be true to 300 Pairs and Yearling the genetic evaluations, Cow Creek Ranch did not creep their calves. The Bred Heifers Sell selection process centered on the These cows have made a living for the Reznicek family for more than 20 years. needs of the commercial producer: CCR Sleep Easy 9L2 This sale represents a unique opportunity forage-based quality, efficient and to tap into the largest, most consistent for- consistent genetics. Economic sustain- age-based Brangus and Ultrablack cow ability in ranching starts with the herd in the U.S. No cows have been sold at right genetics. public auction from the Cow Creek Ranch For 25 years Cow Creek Ranch has supplied herd since 1996. These cattle will knock The Mac-Daddy of the Cow Creek Ranch cow functional, thick, long-lasting bulls, like this your socks off... guy, to leading commercial bull buyers herd. 9L2 daughters and granddaughters sell. throughout the U.S. 200 Cow Creek Ranch and Southern Cattle Company Bulls For a sale catalog contact: Sell Saturday, October 13, 2012 following the Commercial Heifer Sale 250 Cow Creek Ranch Sired Commercial Bred Heifers All bred back to Cow Creek Ranch Bulls Marketing Superior Genetics Cow Creek Ranch’s cornerstone has been its Mark Cowan, [email protected], 903/495-4522 approach to practical, efficient and profitable Commercial Heifers Sell Saturday, October 13, 2012 • 11 am Trey Kirkpatrick, treyk@amscattle,com, 979/324-5518 Richard Hood, [email protected], 979/224-6150 genetics. Cow Creek Ranch separated itself from all the ranch near Aliceville, Alabama Brad Wright, [email protected], 979/219-4599 the traditional seedstock industry and cut its path www.amscattle.com by focusing on a viable genetic program that would sustain the Reznicek family and provide substantial, economically-driven genetics for their customer base. Two Brands. One Direction. www.CowCreekBulls.com

Southern Cattle Company Cow Creek Ranch Lamont Ennis, General Manageer 1170 Cow Creek Road 4226 N. Highway 231 Aliceville, Alabama 35442 Marianna, Florida 32448 205/373-2269 (office) 205/373-6686 (fax) 850/352-2020 (office) • 850/352-2020 (fax) Joy Reznicek cell - 205/399-0221 on the web at www.SouthernCattleCompany.com Doug Williams cell - 336/745-5252 16 | june 2012 The EAR Cow Creek Ranch genetics have withstood the test of time. The pro- You won’t find a cow herd like this anywhere else. Longevity gram was built on solid, reliable and functional cattle. For more than 20 years, the cattle business was the only business for the Reznicek family. The Cow Creek Ranch genetic program was developed in the real world environment with limited to no feed provisions under a forage-based management system. Cow Creek Ranch Sale In the late 1980’s Cow Creek Ranch began to identify genetic Friday, October 12, 2012 • 11 am Consistency lines with which to build a program. During the past two decades Cow Creek Ranch stacked genetics to create a genetical- at the ranch near Aliceville, Alabama ly prepotent cow herd. The goal was to build Featuring the dispersal of the entire forage-based a cow herd with a homozygous gene Spring Calving Cow Creek Ranch Cow Herd base that produced progeny with little genetic variation. And to be true to 300 Pairs and Yearling the genetic evaluations, Cow Creek Ranch did not creep their calves. The Bred Heifers Sell selection process centered on the These cows have made a living for the Reznicek family for more than 20 years. needs of the commercial producer: CCR Sleep Easy 9L2 This sale represents a unique opportunity forage-based quality, efficient and to tap into the largest, most consistent for- consistent genetics. Economic sustain- age-based Brangus and Ultrablack cow ability in ranching starts with the herd in the U.S. No cows have been sold at right genetics. public auction from the Cow Creek Ranch For 25 years Cow Creek Ranch has supplied herd since 1996. These cattle will knock The Mac-Daddy of the Cow Creek Ranch cow functional, thick, long-lasting bulls, like this your socks off... guy, to leading commercial bull buyers herd. 9L2 daughters and granddaughters sell. throughout the U.S. 200 Cow Creek Ranch and Southern Cattle Company Bulls Sell Saturday, October 13, 2012 following the Commercial Heifer Sale 250 Cow Creek Ranch Sired Commercial Bred Heifers All bred back to Cow Creek Ranch Bulls Cow Creek Ranch’s cornerstone has been its approach to practical, efficient and profitable Commercial Heifers Sell Saturday, October 13, 2012 • 11 am genetics. Cow Creek Ranch separated itself from all the ranch near Aliceville, Alabama the traditional seedstock industry and cut its path by focusing on a viable genetic program that would sustain the Reznicek family and provide substantial, economically-driven genetics for their customer base. Two Brands. One Direction. www.CowCreekBulls.com

Introduction Brahman crossbred cows comprise a large portion of the U.S. vironment to which they are not well-adapted. This unusual cow-calf industry, producing calves of generally ¼ or less combination of requirements surely has no equal in the natu- Brahman inheritance. Brahman cattle are well-adapted to ral world. After completing this feeding process and conver- conditions across the Southern United States. Some calves are sion to product, there is equal market competition with beef managed as stockers in the South and some are fed in South from animals not subjected to this routine. It is not surprising Texas or Southern Arizona, but the majority of Southern cat- that there are difficulties encountered by the calves in this very tle enter the stocker and feeder segments on the Great Plains. un-natural process. The purpose of this review is to examine The obvious environmental differences between that region experimental results associated with performance of Brahman and the South are climatic and nutritional. Climatic differ- crossbreds in multiple environments, that is, in the South- ences are seasonal, as temperatures greatly differ in fall, win- ern cow-calf environment and in the stocker and feeder seg- ter, and spring of most years; humidity is generally lower for ments, as well as their carcass and end product traits. The way most of the year in the Southern Great Plains region than for Brahman crossbred animals were produced may dramatically the Southeastern United States but similar to South-central influence experimental results for many traits. The presence or Southwestern regions. The nutritional and social world of of maternal heterosis (dependent upon the cross) will greatly these Southern calves changes completely in conjunction with affect performance of ¾ Brahman calves. Probably of greater long-distance transportation. This results in enormous stress importance is the fact that calves produced from matings of associated with the demand to shift from living and growing Brahman bulls to Bos taurus cows are much heavier at birth in an environment to which they are well-suited (especially than calves produced by reciprocal matings; we are accumu- for calves with ½ or more Brahman background), to an en- lating research evidence of this difference for other traits.

Brahman Crossbred Cows in the Southern United States There is ample research that documents the ability of Brahman purebred and The Bos indicus ancestors of the Brahman breed were originally imported and crossbred cattle to live and perform in such subtropical conditions. Brahman used in the Southern United States (and in similar or harsher areas around cattle have the ability to maintain lower body temperatures and respiration the world) because of their adaptation to the extreme conditions characteris- rates under heat duress; they produce less heat than Bos taurus cattle, and tic of the region. The ability to survive and reproduce in harsh tropical and may be better able to dissipate that heat. They cope better with parasites such subtropical conditions was almost certainly the initial reason that the Brah- as ticks and horn flies than most cattle of European origin. Brahman and man breed became an important part of the U.S. beef production system. Brahman crosses have been documented with better performance in a variety

18 | june 2012 The EAR of traits including a superior ability to minimize the toxic effects of grazing a challenging set of scenarios. certain fescue varieties in the upper South. Adaptation will continue to be of great importance in beef production. Brahman F1 steers were heavier than all other steers in Florida at weaning at 7 months of age; they also gained more in the 21 to 35 day period im- Almost as important as adaptation today is Brahman contribution to hetero- mediately after weaning compared to purebred Brahman and Angus (Table sis. Heterosis is the difference between averages of crossbreds and straight- 2; Coleman et al., 2012). Heterosis for ADG in this period was enormous breds for a trait. Substantial levels of heterosis have been experimentally doc- (64%, Table 3). These steers were shipped each year to a research location in umented for almost all traits of relevance for beef production for Brahman Central Oklahoma. F1 Brahman steers had greater shrink on that 24-hour crosses in multiple research settings. Brahman-Bos taurus levels of heterosis ride than the other breed groups and unfavorable heterosis for shrink (Table are generally much larger than heterosis in crosses of Bos taurus breeds. This 2), but they had greater daily gain in the 28 days after arrival in Oklahoma heterosis is especially effective for improving traits that are not easily influ- (relative to receiving weight), with heterosis of 43% (Table 3, page). This enced by selection, including critical reproductive traits of cows. Every cross- large estimate may in part represent recovery of water lost in transit. There breeding study in the Southern United States that has involved Brahman has was no death loss during transportation and the receiving period. These reported tremendous superiority of Brahman crossbred cows. These have steers were not commingled with steers from other locations, which may included estimates of heterosis for traits like calving rate or weaning rate from have helped minimize potential problems. 10 to 45% of the weighted straightbred average. Brahman crossbreds have also been highly productive on in colder regions. They have ranked at or near Brahman on Winter Pasture the best for calving rates, weaning rates, weaning weights of their calves and Among those steers (Coleman et al., 2012), ADG of F1 Brahman-Angus weaning weight per cow exposed to breeding in the GermPlasm Evaluation steers grazing winter wheat did not differ from that of Angus steers (Table (GPE) multi-year multi-cycle project in Nebraska (Cundiff, 2005). Excel- 2). Brahman-Angus heterosis was 11% (0.2 lb) for ADG during this phase lent performance of F1 Brahman-British cows has been documented in Al- (Table 3). These steers grazed wheat from November through May; the berta (Peters and Slen, 1967). lower ADG of straightbred Brahman and Romosinuano and F1 Brahman- Romosinuano probably is due in part to their inability to cope well with In Florida, an experimental cow herd was built using straightbreds and cross- cold weather, since each of these breed groups would be expected to have breds of Brahman, Angus, and Romosinuano (Criollo Bos taurus breed). minimal adaptation to winter conditions of temperate areas. Straightbred These cows were born from 2002 through 2005 and were then evaluated Brahman steers had lower ADG than F1 Brahman-Angus, F1 Brahman-Tuli through 2010. F1 cows (reciprocal crosses included) were bred to bulls that (African Bos taurus breed), and ¼ Brahman ¼ Hereford ½ Simmental steers were of the third breed; straightbred cows of each breed were divided into 2 on winter pastures in Oklahoma and Texas (Rouquette et al., 2005); ADG of groups and bred to bulls of the other 2 breeds. Table 1 documents the supe- F1 Brahman-Angus steers and ¼ Brahman ¼ Hereford ½ Simmental steers rior calving rates and weaning rates of the F1 Brahman-Angus and Brahman- did not differ (Table 4). Ferrell et al. (2006) evaluated steers with fractions Romosinuano (this is a popular South American cross because of the reputa- of 0, ¼, ½, and ¾ Brahman inheritance in Nebraska; the complementary tion for high fertility) cows in this project. Estimates of heterosis were 22% fraction within each group of steers was MARC III composite (¾ British and 16% for Brahman-Angus and Brahman-Romosinuano, respectively, for ¼ Continental). These steers were produced by artificial insemination of weaning rate (Table 1). This work extended the confirmation of this hybrid MARC III cows and F1 Brahman-MARC III cows to Brahman bulls (½ advantage to Brahman crossed with Criollo cattle—Brahman had previously and ¾ Brahman steers) and F1 Brahman-MARC III cows bred to MARC been documented as having high levels of heterosis with every other evaluated Bos taurus breedtype. Table 1. Brahman, Angus and Romosinuano straightbred and crossbred cow reproduc- Crossbred Brahman cows excelled in performance on the harsh conditions tive traits presented by endophyte-infected tall fescue. In the work of Brown et al. (2005) Brahman-Angus cows (reciprocal crosses included) grazing bermu- N Pregnancy Rate Calving Rate Weaning Rate dagrass had calving rate 13% greater than the purebred average; the corre- Straightbred sponding estimate for cows grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue was 49% Brahman 175 0.76 0.76 0.70 greater than the purebred average. It seems (particularly in this case) that the severity of the environment appears to augment the effects of heterosis. Angus 161 0.84 0.84 0.82 Romosinuano 194 0.82 0.82 0.78 The advantages in heterosis and adaptation offered by Brahman crossbred F1 cows are too big to ignore in the Southern United States. These advantages support their widespread use throughout the that region. Approximately Brahman-Angus 420 0.95 0.95 0.93 35 to 40% of the calves that enter the U.S. beef production chain have Brahman-Romosinuano 462 0.89 0.89 0.86 some Brahman background. This large fraction is notable considering mar- Romosinuano-Angus 397 0.87 0.86 0.81 ket pressure against calves with visible Brahman background (Barham and Troxel, 2007); however, as crosses with Angus (F1 Brahman Angus and ¼ Brahman ¾ Angus) sale price per hundred lb was very high relative to other Heterosis crossbred groups (Troxel and Barham, 2012). Brahman-Angus 0.15 (18%) 0.15 (19%) 0.17 (22%) Transportation/Receiving Brahman-Romosinuano 0.10 (13%) 0.10 (13%) 0.12 (16%) There are at least 3 major stressors for cattle moved from the Southeastern 1Cows were born from 2002 to 2005 and were first exposed to bulls as yearlings. First calves as United States to the Great Plains for stocker and feedlot phases. Those in- 2-year olds not included in these results. Records through 2010 were included in these results. clude weaning, long-haul transportation, and the potential for large change 2Cows were exposed to bulls annually: F1 cows were exposed to bulls of the 3rd breed. Straightbred (decrease) in ambient temperatures. Many of the cattle moved from the cows of each breed were exposed in approximately equal numbers to bulls of the other 2 breeds. South or Southeast to the Great Plains are freshly weaned in the fall of the 3Reciprocal F1 cows combined into single groups. year and are consequently very susceptible to health problems, exacerbated 4Heterosis was not detected for Romosinuano-Angus cows for these traits. by the long transport and the colder weather encountered after arrival. Trop- 5Numbers represent numbers of cows in each breed group for palpation. Cows in excess of 40 for ical adaptation that is an advantage in the South becomes a detriment on the each breed group were sold as bred 3-year olds. Great Plains through the winter. Cattle of any breed or type would find these 6Cows were culled after 2 failures to wean a calf.

The EAR june 2012 | 19 III bulls (¼ Brahman steers). Steers were fed either bromegrass Table 2. Growth of straightbred and F1 steers weaned in Florida and transported to hay (as a low-gain, forage-based diet) or corn silage (as a high- Oklahoma gain, forage-based diet) in a 119-day growing period in dry lot in order to measure intake. Dry matter intake, crude protein intake, Brahman Angus Romosinuano F1 BA F1 BR F1 RA metabolizable energy intake (metabolizable energy is that energy N 48 38 74 77 113 118 available for maintenance or growth above that required to digest Prewean ADG, lb/day 1.9 1.7 1.7 2.0 2.0 1.8 the source from which it was obtained), and ADG of ½ Brahman steers were highest but did not differ from MARC III steers (Table Postwean recovery 5). There were no breed group differences in these intakes per ADG, lb/d (21 to 0.8 0.7 0.6 1.2 0.9 0.9 pound of gain; that is steers with different fractions of Brahman 35 d) background responded to these different growing diets similarly. Transition These steers were evaluated in winter, which may have influenced results. Shipping BW, lb 545 465 483 579 555 518 Ship loss, % 8.5 9.5 8.7 9.1 8.7 9.4 Brahman in Feedlot Receiving ADB, lb/ 0.4 1.0 0.4 1.0 0.5 0.5 Gain day (28 d) In the evaluation of Florida steers, the feedlot phase occurred from May through September in Oklahoma; summers on the Great Plains Wheat pasture often have high temperatures. Straightbred Brahman had lower ADG Final BW, lb 811 853 784 951 864 872 in the feedlot phase than all other breed groups (Table 2), which were ADB, lb/d 1.5 2.1 1.7 2.0 1.7 2.0 similar to each other (Coleman et al., 2012). Brahman-Angus heterosis for ADG was 14% (0.26 lb, Table 3). Feedlot ADG of F1 Brahman- Feedlot Angus steers did not differ from ¼ Brahman ¼ Hereford ½ Simmental Final BW, lb 1045 1100 1062 1217 1121 1159 steers (Table 4); these steers were fed during Texas Panhandle summer ADG, lb/d 1.8 2.1 2.1 2.2 2.1 2.2 conditions (Rouquette et al., 2005). Huffman et al. (1990) reported the highest ADG for Angus steers, followed by ¾ Brahman, ½ Brah- Overall ADG, lb/day 1.4 1.9 1.6 1.9 1.7 1.8 man, and ¼ Brahman steers (Table 6). Pringle et al. (1997) evaluated (wean to final) steers with fractions 0, ¼, ⅜, ½, ¾, and 1 Brahman (with Angus as the Intake/efficiency complementary fraction). Days of feeding to reach target backfat end points were lowest for straight Angus, ¼, and ⅜ Brahman steers (Table N 27 30 29 57 61 57 7). Steers in both those studies (Huffman et al., 1990; Pringle et al., DMI, lb/d 17.5 18.9 18.7 19.2 18.0 19.5 1997) were fed in Florida. Sherbeck et al. (1995) reported the highest Feed:Gain 7.75 8.2 7.58 7.91 7.84 7.97 ADG for Hereford steers as compared to ¼ Brahman ¾ Hereford and ½ Brahman ½ Hereford that were fed in Eastern Colorado (Table 8). Residual feed intake -0.37 0.6 -0.01 -0.20 -0.44 0.60 Carcass Steers from Cycle V of GPE were evaluated to assess the different as- N 48 38 72 79 109 118 pects of gain while being fed a high concentrate diet (Ferrell and Jen- kins, 1998). F1 steers sired by Brahman, Angus, Hereford, Boran, Carcass wt, lb 657 695 671 778 721 738 and Tuli sires and out of MARC III cows were assigned to one of 3 Dressing percentage 61.5 61.5 61.5 63.1 62.1 62.5 groups: 1) an initial (prior to test) slaughter group, in order to facili- Fat thickness, in 0.42 0.6 0.41 0.63 0.48 0.52 tate regression estimates of various types of gain; 2) a limit-fed group; and 3) a group fed ad libitum. Table 9 shows means for intake and Ribeye are, in2 11.1 12.1 12.0 12.4 12 12.6 gain by breed group for these steers. Among the steers in the limit-fed Ribeye area, in2/100 1.70 1.7 1.81 1.61 1.68 1.72 group, Angus and Hereford F1 steers had greater energy gain than the lb carcass Brahman F1 steers. In the ad libitum group, however, there were no differences in energy gain among these 3 breed groups; all were greater Yield grade 2.9 3.3 2.7 3.5 3.2 3.1 than Boran and Tuli F1 steers. There were no differences for carcass 1Means of F1 steers include reciprocal crosses. traits within breed and feeding group combinations. Angus F1 steers 2Postwean recovery period was from 21 to 35 d. Steers were weaned at average of 7 months of age. had greater carcass weight, backfat, and yield grades than Brahman 3Steers were weighed immediately prior to loading in Florida and immediately after unloading in Oklahoma. and Hereford (Table 10). Quality grades were lower for Brahman F1 Steers were kept in a grass paddock with access to feed for the 28-day receiving period. steers, but ribeye area was similar for these 3 breed groups. At low 4Steers grazed wheat pasture for an average of 120 days. intakes, Brahman F1 steers organ weights were lower than Angus F1 5A subset of steers (n = 90) from all breed groups was evaluated for intake and efficiency each year (2003, steers, but were similar at high intakes, indicating greater adaptability 2004, 2005) using Calan feeding system. or responsiveness to increased feed intake than Angus F1 steers. Brah- 6Steers were randomly assigned to feeding periods which averaged 101, 129, and 157 days (summer feed- man F1 steers had greater fasting heat production (that is, indepen- ing), and were slaughtered commercially in the Texas Panhandle. dent of the heat production associated with digestion) than Angus, 7Adapted from Coleman et al. (2012) and Riley et al. (2012). and consequently they required a higher metabolizable energy intake for maintenance. Brahman F1 steers had the highest efficiency of use of metabolizable energy for gain; Angus had the lowest. This work did not support the notion that Brahman cattle have lower energy require- Intake ments for maintenance than Bos taurus cattle under those conditions. The Intake of straightbred Brahman cattle has been reported to be low relative to influence of the winter feeding conditions of this project was not assessed. other breeds or crosses (e.g., Elzo et al., 2009; Table 11); intake of F1 Brah- Brahman F1 steers seemed to respond and gain to a greater extent than man cattle has often been reported to be high relative to other groups. Dry the Bos taurus steers when permitted the higher intake associated with ad matter intake means of F1 Brahman-Angus and Angus were essentially the libitum feeding. same (Table 2, Coleman et al., 2012). F1 Brahman-Angus and ¾ Brahman Continued on page 22

20 | june 2012 The EAR The EAR june 2012 | 21 Continued from page 20. Table 3. Estimates of heterosis, direct and maternal breed effects for steer traits Table 4. Growth and carcass traits of Brahman straightbred and crossbred steers Brahman-Angus Brahman-Romo- Romosinuano- 1/4 Brahman 1/2 Brahman 1/2 Brahman Brahman sinuano Angus 1/4 Hereford 1/2 Angus 1/2 Tuli Amount % Amount % Amount % 1/2 Simmental Prewean ADG, lb/day 0.20 11 0.13 7.2 0.13 7.8 N 47 35 37 30 Wean BW, lb 57 12 33 6.7 35 7.8 ADG winter, 2.5 2.4 2.0 1.7 lb/day Postwean recovery 0.46 63.6 0.29 46 ADG, lb/day ADB feedlot, 3.2 3.4 2.6 2.9 lb/day Shipping BW, lb 74 14.8 39.7 7.7 44 9.3 Carcass wt, lb 889 848 685 672 Ship loss, lb 8.4 18.5 5.5 12.5 6.2 14.4 Backfat, in 0.37 0.48 0.33 0.25 Arrival BW, lb 66.1 14.4 35.3 7.5 37.5 8.7 Ribeye are, in2 14 13.5 12.3 11.4 Receive ADG, lb/day 0.29 42.6 0.15 42.4 -0.20 -30 Yield grade 2.78 3.06 2.44 2.47 Winter wheat Marbling score 366 392 367 342 Initial BW, lb 81.6 15.5 44.1 8.4 35.3 7.1 Shear force, lb 7.9 8.1 8.1 10.3 Final BW, lb 119.1 14.3 66.1 8.3 52.9 6.5 Tenderness score 6.0 5.8 6.0 5.3 ADG, lb/day 0.20 11 0.13 8.3 0.07 3.4 1Weaned steers grazed cool-season annuals in East Texas or Central Oklahoma from December to Feedlot mid-May. Final BW, lb 29.5 13.4 66.1 6.3 77.2 7.1 2Steers were commercially-fed in the Texas Panhandle in the summers of 1993 and 1994 to a target of 0.4 inches of backfat. ADG, lb/d 0.26 13.6 3Marbling score 300 to 399 = Select. Overall ADG, lb/day 0.26 16.1 0.13 8.6 0.11 6.3 4Tenderness scores evaluated by a trained panel using values from 1 (extremely tough) to 8 Feed:Gain 8.17 14.1 (extremely tender). 5Adapted from Rouquette et al. (2005). Carcass wt, lb 102 15.1 57 8.6 56 8.1 Dressing percentage 1.7 2.7 1.1 1.7 Selective improvement of efficiency by lowering RFI of steers would almost Fat thickness, in 0.10 19.9 0.06 15.6 certainly result in decreased intake in their half siblings that will become the cows on pasture in the South (C. L. Ferrell, J. O. Sanders, personal com- Ribeye are, in2 0.82 7.1 0.39 3.3 0.56 5 munication). This seems counter to the best interests of a producing cow in Ribeye area, in2/100 lb -0.11 -6.6 -0.08 -4.3 -0.06 -3 order to conceive, maintain pregnancy, and perform maternally. Forbes et Yield grade 0.4 13.6 0.3 9.5 al. (1998) reported superior intakes of F1 Brahman cows on pasture relative to other breed types. There may be heterosis for intake on pasture or for 1Adapted from Coleman et al. (2012). Trait details correspond to those described in Table 1. the efficient utilization of nutrients from such a forage diet. There may be 2Empty cells indicate that effects were not statistically different from 0. heterosis for intake in steers fed a high concentrate diet; but it was not de- 3Traits from Table 2 are omitted here if no heterosis was detected. tected in Brahman-Angus, Brahman-Romosinuano, or Angus-Romosinuano 4Adapted from Coleman et al. (2012) and Riley et al. (2012). (Coleman et al., 2012).

¼ Angus steers had greater dry matter intake than Angus (Table 6; Huffman Brahman Carcass Traits et al., 1990); these steers were fed in Florida under conditions which may In U.S. research trials (Tables 2, 4-8, 10, 12, 13), Brahman F1 steers have depressed the appetites of straightbred Angus steers. Among steers and have generally had better than average carcass traits related to quan- heifers fed in North Florida, Elzo et al. (2009) reported intake means of tity (carcass weight, dressing percentage, backfat thickness, ribeye area, animals grouped by residual feed intake (RFI) values. Residual feed intake is and yield grade; of course under the assumption that less fat is desir- daily dry matter intake of an animal adjusted to the average size (metabolic able), but generally lower values for traits related to quality (marbling weight) and growth rate (ADG) of cattle evaluated together; low (that is, neg- score, Warner-Bratzler shear force, trained sensory evaluation of ten- ative values, since by definition the mean RFI = 0) RFI values are considered derness). Results of Brahman (and other Bos indicus breeds) across to be favorable. Among those calves (from the work of Elzo et al., 2009) that the duration of the GPE cycles in Nebraska were similar (Wheeler were in the high RFI group (that is, inefficient) and the medium RFI group, et al., 2005). Experimental results have indicated that ¼ Brahman F1 Brahman-Angus, ⅜ Brahman ⅝ Angus and ¼ Brahman ¾ Angus all had steers did not differ from straightbred Bos taurus for marbling score/ higher daily intake than Angus (Table 11). However, the breed group daily quality grade or Warner-Bratzler shear force/sensory panel tenderness intake differences were much lower among the low RFI (efficient) group of (Tables 5, 6). Exceptions to this included the results (Tables 7 and 8) calves. In their comparison of F1 steers, Ferrell and Jenkins (1998) reported of Sherbeck et al. (1995) and Pringle et al. (1997). However, Pringle greater F1 Angus-MARC III intake (dry matter and metabolizable energy) et al. (1997) reported no difference between quality grades of ¼ Brah- than that of F1 Brahman-MARC III steers when fed ad libitum; Brahman man and Angus groups, as well as no marbling score differences of F1 F1 steer intake did not differ from F1 Hereford-MARC III intake (Table Brahman-Angus and straightbred Angus steers. No interaction of sire 9). They reported no breed differences when steers were limit-fed. Fer- breed and dam breed (representative of breed type) was detected in rell et al. (2006) reported that dry matter intake, crude protein intake, and analyses of marbling score, Warner-Bratzler shear force, and sensory metabolizable energy intake of F1 Brahman-MARC III steers and MARC panel tenderness (Riley et al., 2012), but Brahman sire breed means III steers did not differ in a growing phase when fed a high roughage diet or were lower than Angus and Romosinuano for these traits (Table 12). when fed a high concentrate feed diet; these were higher than ¼ Brahman Results from one of the largest comparisons of steers with differing and Brahman steers (Table 5). Estimates of heritability for intake or RFI backgrounds of Brahman (Elzo et al., 2012) indicated no difference are as large as those for weight traits, which are easily altered with selection. in tenderness of steaks from ¼ Brahman, F1 Brahman-Angus, and

22 | june 2012 The EAR Angus steers, but Warner-Brazler shear forces of Angus were slightly real and confirmed by most research to date. Much of the research better than either. All breed groups with any proportion Brahman results involving F1 Brahman, and really almost all of the ¼ Brahman had lower marbling scores than Angus steers (Table 13). The differ- results (especially when carcasses were electrically-stimulated) reported ences between straightbred Brahman and Bos taurus shear force are Warner-Bratzler shear force averages of 10 lb or less, which fits into at least a category of ‘slightly tender’ (see Platter et al., [2005]; Bole- man et al. [1997] and Miller et al. [2001] also presented different Table 5. Comparison of intake, growth and carcass traits of steers with different frac- assessments of consumer acceptability and Warner-Bratzler shear force tions of Brahman inheritance in Nebraska values in which this threshold of 10 lb appears consistent). Within Fraction of Brahman inheritance 0 1/4 1/2 3/4 GPE, F1 Brahman steers had higher Warner-Bratzler shear force and N 15 20 7 9 lower sensory panel tenderness means than F1 Hereford-Angus, F1 Hereford-MARC III, and F1 Angus-MARC III, and were more vari- Growing period able (Wheeler et al., 2005). Marbling score of crossbred Brahman Initial weight, lb 602 562 708 604 steers has been consistently reported to be lower than Angus or British crossbreds. There appears to be substantial additive genetic variation Final weight, lb 796 717 906 747 to permit selective improvement of marbling score in the Brahman ADG, lb/day 1.6 1.3 1.7 1.2 breed (Smith et al., 2009). Dry matter intake lb/day 16.1 13.7 17.6 14.6 Crude protein intake, lb/day 1.7 1.5 1.9 1.6 Summary 1. Brahman crossbred cows continue to be used in the Southern Metabolizable energy intake, Mcal/day 18.1 15.2 19.7 16.2 United States because of superior adaptability to rough condi- DMI/gain lb/lb 13.2 13.9 13.2 19.2 tions and the high levels of heterosis for most traits (but especially Crude protein intake/gain, lb/lb 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.9 reproductive traits) as crosses with really any Bos taurus breed. 2. The movement of Brahman crossbred calves from the South to Metabolizable energy intake/gain lb/lb 30.8 32.5 31 44.3 the Great Plains represents an enormous stress on these animals. Residual ADG -0.02 0.03 0.02 -0.03 Calves with as much as ½ Brahman background appear to grow and perform very well in the stocker and feeder phases on the Residual metabolizable energy intake 0.46 -0.44 -0.03 -0.13 Great Plains, especially during the summer. Stocker programs Finishing period in the South may be advantageous for cattle to recover from the Initial weight, lb 796 717 906 747 stress of weaning and gain weight, but also to avoid spending winter on the Great Plains. Crossbreds with more than ½ Brah- Final weight, lb 1241 1213 1268 1246 Days to finish 155 196 134 199 Table 6. Growth, efficiency and carcass means for steers of different fractions of Brahman inheritance ADG, lb/day 2.9 2.6 2.6 2.6 Fraction of Brahman inheritance 0 1/4 1/2 3/4 Dry matter intake lb/day 18.5 17.0 18.5 15.0 Feedlot Crude protein intake, lb/day 2.2 2.0 2.2 1.8 N 41 42 41 41 Metabolizable energy intake, Mcal/day 26 23.8 25.9 21 Days on feed 121 103 102 107 Dry matter intake/gain lb/lb 6.5 6.6 7.1 5.9 Slaughter wt, lb 1012 990 1087 1100 Crude protein intake/gain lb/lb 0.75 074. 0.82 0.68 ADG, lb/day 3.5 3.6 3.9 3.9 Metabolizable energy intake/gain lb/lb 20.1 20.5 21.9 18.3 Dry matter intake, lb/day 19.4 19.4 21.6 21.8 Residual ADG 0.04 -0.05 -0.01 0.05 Feed:Gain 5.6 5.4 5.6 5.6 Residual metabolizable energy intake 0.46 -0.44 -0.03 -0.13 Carcass Final wt, lb 1243 1213 1268 1248 N 31 32 31 31 Carcass Carcass wt, lb 637 624 683 701 Carcass wt, lb 750 745 792 769 Dressing percentage 63 62 62.6 63.4 Dressing percentage 60.4 61.6 62.3 61.6 Ribeye are, in2 11.6 10.9 11.3 11.6 Marbling score 470 490 390 364 Ribeye are, in2 /100 lb 1.83 1.76 1.69 1.69 Quality grade 16.2 16.2 15 14.3 Yield grade 2.8 3 3.1 3.1 Fat thickness, in 0.40 0.59 0.51 0.57 Marbling score Sm13 Sm11 Sl70 Sl30 Adjusted fat thickness, in 0.35 0.51 0.43 0.53 % Choice 55 66 29 7 Ribeye are, in2 12.4 11.5 12.2 11.8 % Select 45 34 65 7 Yield grade 2.86 3.45 3.38 3.29 % Standard 0 0 6 19 1The complementary fraction of steers in each breed group was MARC III (¾ British ¼ Continental). 2Steers were fed through the winter either diets of bromegrass hay or corn silage during the growing 1The complementary fraction of breed inheritance was Angus. period of 119 days. 2Steers were either fed as calves or grazed winter pastures until June and were then fed in Florida 3Steers were fed to a target body weight of 1,235 lb. in 1985 and 1986. There were fed to 2 backfat end point targets: 0.4 or 0.6 in. Intake was assessed 4Marbling score: Slight = 300; Small = 400; Modest = 500. using the Calan system. No breed by age-season interactions detected. 5Quality grade: Selecto = 14, Select+ = 15, Choice– = 16. 3Adapted from Huffman et al. (1990). 6Adapted from Ferrell et al. (2006).

The EAR june 2012 | 23 Table 7. Growth and carcass traits for steers with different fractions of Brahman Table 9. Intake and growth on feed of F1 steers inheritance Dry matter intake Metobolizable Fraction of Brahman energy intake inheritance 0 1/4 3/8 1/2 3/4 1 Days N 11 13 10 12 12 11 lb/ kcal/ on Initial ADG, Days on feed 156 156 157 172 168 202 N lb/d (wt0.75/d) Mcal/d wt0.75/d) feed wt, lb lb/d Carcass Limit-fed Carcass wt, lb 692 728 679 739 697 712 Angus 4 7.5 0.097 10.7 137 137 780 0.93 Dressing percentage 60.7 61.8 60.5 63.1 61.9 62.7 Boran 8 6.7 0.095 9.5 134 139 657 0.73 Fat thickness, in 0.47 0.51 0.39 0.43 0.47 0.39 Brahman 8 7.0 0.097 9.9 137 140 690 0.66 Ribeye area, in2 12.4 11.6 11.3 12.4 11.3 73 Hereford 4 6.9 0.097 9.9 138 143 685 0.71 Ribeye are, in2/100 lb 1.83 1.62 1.69 1.69 1.62 1.62 Tuli 8 6.8 0.099 9.7 141 138 666 0.44 Yield grade 2.8 3.2 2.8 2.8 3.1 3 Ad libitum Marbling score 436 418 416 366 354 315 Angus 4 18.1 0.204 25.8 290 137 796 2.87 Quality grade 607 594 595 556 547 521 Boran 8 12.7 0.164 18.1 233 139 637 2.25 % Choice 82 54 60 25 17 9 Brahman 8 16.2 0.190 23.0 270 140 708 2.80 % Select 18 46 40 58 58 64 Hereford 4 16.7 0.197 23.7 280 143 717 2.78 % Standard 0 0 0 17 25 27 Tuli 8 14.4 0.177 20.0 251 138 677 2.14 Shear force (14 days aging), lb 9.5 11.0 9.3 10.4 10.6 13.4 1Steers were out of MARC III (¾ British ¼ Continental) dams. 2Fed as calves through the winter in Nebraska. Tenderness 5.9 5.3 6.1 5.6 5.5 4.4 3Adapted from Ferrell and Jenkins (1998). Connective tissue amount 6.1 5.9 6.3 6 6 5 1The complementary fraction of inheritance in these steers was Angus. 2Steers grazed winter pastures until approximately 1 year of age. They were contract fed in Florida through the winter to backfat end points of either 0.4 or 0.6 inch and slaughtered at University of Table 10. Carcass traits of F1 steers Florida facilities. 3Marbling score: Slight = 300 to 399; Small = 400 to 499. Initial slaughter Carcass Ribeye Fat Yield Quality 4Quality grade: Select– = 500 to 549; Select+ = 550 to 599; Choice– = 600 to 633. group N wt, lb area, in thickness, in grade grade 5Detectable amount of connective tissue and tenderness scores evaluated by a trained panel using Angus 4 434 9.0 0.16 2.0 12.5 values from 1 (extremely tough; abundant amount) to 8 (none detected, extremely tender). Boran 8 348 7.8 0.11 1.8 11.9 6Adapted from Pringle et al. (1997). Brahman 8 401 8.6 0.11 1.8 11.5 Hereford 4 366 8,2 0.07 1.6 12.3 Tuli 8 357 8.5 0.09 1.6 12.0 Table 8. Growth and carcass traits of steers with different fractions of Brahman Limit-fed inheritance Angus 4 520 8.9 0.09 2.1 14.0 Fraction of Brahman inheritance 0 1/4 1/2 Boran 8 443 8.7 0.11 1.9 12.4 N 77 80 79 Brahman 8 463 8.5 0.09 1.9 12.1 ADG, lb/day 4.0 3.5 3.3 Hereford 4 459 9.3 0.11 1.8 13.0 Carcass wt, lb 699 703 719 Tuli 8 430 8.5 0.09 1.9 12.5 Fat thickness, in 0.45 0.44 0.41 Ad libitum Ribeye area, in2 11.8 12.4 12.4 Angus 4 710 11.3 0.56 3.6 16.0 Yield grade 3.11 2.91 2.92 Boran 8 564 10.4 0.27 2.6 13.4 Marbling score Sl91 Sl47 Sl45 Brahman 8 679 10.5 0.46 3.4 13.9 Shear force, (6 days aging), lb 7.9 9.0 10.1 Hereford 4 661 11.1 0.49 3.2 16.0 Tenderness, (6 days aging) 4.9 4.7 4.1 Tuli 8 589 11.3 0.34 2.6 14.5 Shear force, (18 days aging), lb 6.4 7.3 8.4 1Steers were out of MARC III (¾ British ¼ Continental) dams. Tenderness, (18 days aging) 5.5 5.3 4.8 2Fed as calves through the winter in Nebraska. Limit-fed steers were fed approximately 77 kcal ME/ 1The complementary fraction of breed inheritance was Hereford. lb0.75 2Steers had grazed native Great Plains pasture or had been fed a backgrounding diet in a dry lot; time 3Quality grade: Standardo = 11, Standard+ = 12, Select– = 13, Selecto = 14, Select+ = 15, of year not reported. Steers (11 or 12 months of age) were fed to 1 of 4 days-on-feed (84, 98, 112, Choice– = 16. or 126 days) in Eastern Colorado in 1994. Purebred Hereford were from temperate areas of the United 4Steers in the initial slaughter group were slaughtered after an adaptation period of 3 months. Steers States. Crossbred Brahman steers were from Texas and Mississippi. in the other groups were slaughtered after 140 days on feed. 3Adapted from Sherbeck et al. (1995). 5Adapted from Ferrell and Jenkins (1998). Continued on page 26

24 | june 2012 The EAR The EAR june 2012 | 25 Continued from page 24. man would likely perform better in feedlots in areas with milder Table 12. Sire breed averages for carcass traits of steers produced by crosses of Brah- winters, e.g., South Texas or Southern Arizona. man, Angus and Romosinuano 3. After feeding, Brahman crossbred carcasses generally have very good values for traits related to quantity of beef. Most research Breed Brahman Angus Romosinuano has documented lower marbling scores (as well as all fat content) Marbling score 360 475 393 and therefore quality grades of carcasses from Brahman cross- % Choice 31 75 46 breds. There appear to be selective opportunities to improve marbling score in the Brahman breed, should that become an ap- % Standard 23 5 10 propriate goal. Shear force, lb 9.7 8.6 9.3 4. Steers of ¼ Brahman inheritance and to a lesser extent, F1 Brah- Tenderness 5.4 5.8 5.8 man steers, are the most likely Brahman crossbreds to enter the conventional beef production process, especially the feedlot seg- Connective tissue amount 6.1 6.5 6.5 ment on the Great Plains. Cattle that are ¼ Brahman will qualify 1Steers were commercially slaughtered after averages of 101, 129, or 157 days on feed. All steers for many premium carcass programs. There is substantial re- previously grazed wheat pasture for an average of 120 days through the winter in Oklahoma. search that indicates that both types will perform acceptably for 2Dam breed was also significant as a main effect for these traits and means were similar to these. most traits of economic importance. 3Marbling score: Slight = 300 to 399; Small = 400 to 499. 5. Selection for reduced RFI as a method of improving efficiency 4Tenderness scores and detectable amount of connective tissue evaluated by a trained panel using during the feedlot stage is discouraged within the breed, as any- values from 1 (extremely tough; abundant amount) to 8 (extremely tender; none detected). thing that would suppress intake of Brahman crossbred cows on 5Dam breed means were similar to the sire breed means. pasture conditions would be undesirable. v 6Adapted from Riley et al. (2012).

Table 11. Postweaning efficiency traits in steers and heifers with varying fractions of Table 13. Carcass traits of steers with different fractions of Brahman inheritance Brahman inheritance Fraction of Brahman RFI group/fraction Intake, lb/ inheritance 0 1/4 3/8 1/2 3/4 1 Brahman N Gain, lb Feed:Gain day RFI N 216 182 224 341 206 198 High RFI Carcass wt, lb 713 753 751 793 756 719 1 21 154 11.24 24.1 2.24 Dressing percentage 61.7 62.4 62.6 63.2 63.2 63.3 3/4 14 170 10.96 25.4 2.51 WBSF, lb 7.6 7.9 8.1 8.3 8.7 9.2 1/2 37 183 11.05 27.0 2.42 Tenderness 5.8 5.6 5.5 5.5 5.1 4.6 3/8 20 197 10.08 27.7 2.95 Connective tissue amount 6.1 6 5.9 5.9 5.5 5.1 1/4 22 208 9.69 27.3 2.33 Marbling score 446 420 407 394 367 341 0 30 180 10.43 25.8 2.34 Ribeye area, in2 12.6 12.9 12.8 13.2 12.6 12.0 Medium RFI Fat thickness, in 0.51 0.51 0.51 0.51 0.43 0.35 1 23 154 9.53 18.9 -0.04 1Fractions of Brahman inheritance reported here are categories—actual fractions were ranges. The 3/4 27 207 7.41 21.0 -0.16 complementary fraction was Angus. 1/2 44 208 7.77 21.4 -0.13 2From 1989 to 1995 steers were fed in a South Texas feedyard. From 2006 to 2009 they were contract fed in North Florida. Steers were fed as calves through the winter to a target of 0.5 inch backfat and 3/8 63 228 6.93 21.6 -0.11 slaughtered commercially in South Texas. 1/4 33 224 7.16 21.9 -0.02 3Detectable amount of connective tissue and tenderness scores evaluated by a trained panel using values from 1 (extremely tough; abundant amount) to 6 (none detected) or 8 (extremely tender). 0 72 210 7.36 20.8 -0.10 4Marbling score: Slight = 300 to 399; Small = 400 to 499. Low RFI 5Adapted from Elzo et al. (2012). 1 47 156 6.94 14.0 -2.21 3/4 8 191 6.86 18.1 -1.35 1/2 34 186 6.70 16.8 -1.92 3/8 24 211 6.14 18.1 -1.58 1/4 11 198 6.49 17.2 -2.34 Your ad could be in here! 0 51 186 6.81 16.8 -1.70 Call us to find out how. 1Calves were evaluated in a 70-day trial after 2 weeks of acclimation to procedures in a GrowSafe Advertising Sales: feeding system. Calves were an average of 8 months of age and had been weaned for approximately Mark Cowan: 903/495-4522, [email protected] 1 month. Kyle Devoll: 979/820-8362, [email protected] 2After adjustment of intake for body weight and ADG (RFI = residual feed intake) during the test period (which was from November through early January), calves were ranked by intake from lowest Richard Hood: 979/224-6140, [email protected] to highest and divided into Trey Kirkpatrick: 979/324-5518, [email protected] low (RFI < overall mean – 1 standard deviation), Fax: 979/828-5532 medium (overall mean – 1 standard deviation < RFI < overall mean + 1 standard deviation), and www.theearmagazine.com high (RFI > overall mean + 1 standard deviation) groups. 3Adapted from Elzo et al. (2009).

26 | june 2012 The EAR The EAR june 2012 | 27 Brahman Headlines Brahman Elite Sale HUNGERFORD, TX - Brahman Elite, a prestigious sale hosted by Heritage Cattle, was a success for buyers and consignors with a high selling lot of Lady H Dedra Manso 199/0 was $9,600 and averages close to $4,000 a head and more. the high selling exposed female consigned by Heritage that sold for $7,200 to Leroy Laiche from Praireville, La. Two high selling open females were On April 28, 2012, at Heritage Cattle, Brahman breeders from five states consigned by V8 Ranch and Gandera Karla Mary. Miss V8 401/7, open and came to Hungerford, Texas, for a chance to purchase the elite Brahman ge- ready to breed, was sold to Tommy Stoddard for $6,700, and the 14-month netics offered by Heritage and four other consignors. The 54 lot offering old heifer GKM Lady Slugger 118/21 was sold to Manuel Garrett of Iota, featured a herd sire; pregnant recip; pairs, bred, open, and exposed females; La., for $6,800. haltered heifers; and semen packages from Heritage Cattle, V8 Ranch, RB Ranch, Ganadera Karla Mary, and Cannon Creek. Averages included: five pairs at $4,620/pair; four bred females at $3,875/ head; eight exposed females at $4,500/head; four open ready to breed females The high selling lot sold for $9,600, a pregnant recip consigned by Heritage at $4,650/head; 16 open females at $4,000/head; and 14 semen packages five Cattle carrying a full sister to the 2011 National Champion and 2012 Re- units each at $262.50/unit. serve International Champion, Lady H Mae Manso 66/9, was purchased by Kelvin Moreno and L2 Ranch in Branford, Fla. The sale drew 59 registered buyers, with 26 of those registered who purchased lots, and 83 registered Internet buyers who watched the sale live on the In- Heritage also consigned the only herd sire in the sale, Mr. H Vegas Manso ternet through Cattle in Motion. Seven internet buyers purchased eight lots. 860. The 100% possession and 50 units of semen sold for $8,750 to Stephen Watson of Hamilton, Texas. The high selling semen lot was 50 units of semen The sale was managed by Milton Charanza, Jr. of Broken Triangle Cattle on Mr. H Reno Manso 200/0, the 2012 International Intermediate Cham- Marketing. The next sale will be the Heritage Cattle Brahman Show Heifer pion bull, and sold for $7,500 to Billy Thomas from Stowell, Texas. The high Sale at the ranch in Hungerford Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012, at 11 a.m. selling five unit semen lots were sold to Brandon and Rachel Cutrer of Bol- Vietnamese Guests, Pictured L-R: ing, Texas, and Sam Duplantis of Erath, La. The Cutrer’s purchased five units Judd Cullers, Ms. Le Thi Thu Huong on +BNA Double Take Manso 229/8, a former International Champion, for (Deputy Manager PetroVietnam $450 a unit. Duplantis purchased five units on Mr. H Buckle 111/9, a young Group), Mr. Hang Ngoc Trung (Deputy champion sired by +Mr. H Maddox Manso 684. Manager PetroVietnam Group), Ed Cullers, Edward “Big Mac” McGowan The high selling pair was Miss V8 567/6 consigned by V8 Ranch of Bol- ing, Texas. The lot sold for $7,100 to Tommy Stoddard from Hackberry, La. Heritage consigned the high selling bred female, Lady H Celina 152/0, for $4,600 to David Mason of Gonzales, Texas. The female was 2 months bred to JDH Elroy Manso 712/4.

ABBA Members Honored at 44th Beef Improvement Federation Meeting HOUSTON, TX - The 44th Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual The ABBA is proud to support association members in receiving this es- Meeting and Research Symposium was held April 18 - 21 in Houston and teemed recognition. was co-hosted by the American Brahman Breeders Association (ABBA) and Texas AgriLife Extension. The conference is considered the beef industry’s Through this event, Bos indicus genetics, and especially Brahman cattle have premier event. Over 300 industry professionals, researchers, academia and been recognized for their value in the U.S. beef industry. This is another ma- ranchers gathered from across the nation to report on and discuss the most jor step in promoting the benefits of Brahman and Brahman F-1 crosses to recent beef industry research, and to work to make this research applicable the country’s most prominent beef industry representatives, the people who to the ranching world. The ABBA is pleased to have had this year’s meeting educate and influence our nation’s cattlemen. focus on the influence of Bos indicus genetics in the U.S. Each year, the BIF selects one outstanding seedstock producer and one outstanding commercial producer to receive recognition at its annual meeting. This year, the ABBA is pleased to announce V8 Ranch of Boling, Texas as the recipient of the BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year award. V8 Ranch was recognized April 20 at the 44th BIF Annual Meeting and Research Sympo- sium’s award lunch.

The ABBA is also delighted to have nominated Kempfer Cattle Company of Saint Cloud, Fla. as its nominee for the BIF’s Commercial Producer of the The Williams family of V8 Ranch in Boling, TX George Kempfer (second from right) of Kemp- Year award. Kempfer was recognized April 19. receives the 2011 Seedstock Producer of the fer Cattle Co. in Saint Cloud, FL, is recognized Year award from the Beef Improvement Fed- as a nominee for the Beef Improvement Feder- eration. ation Commercial Producer of the Year Award. V8 Ranch was selected from 12 seedstock producer nominees, and Kempfer Cattle Company competed in a category of eight other producer nominees.

28 | june 2012 The EAR First Annual Deep South Brahman Association Sale Garners Interest HATTIESBURG, MS - The first annual Deep South Brahman Associ- $9,250. She was purchased by Dyess Farms of Carson, Miss. Twelve ation (DSBA) registered Brahman and F-1 sale was held Saturday, May head of haltered registered Brahman heifers averaged $3,300 and 14 5 in Hattiesburg, Miss. at the Southeast Mississippi Livestock Auction. haltered registered Brahman bulls averaged $2,200. Five registered Registered Brahman bulls and females as well as Certified and Golden Brahman pairs averaged $2,600, 12 registered Brahman bred females Certified F-1 females were among the sale line-up. This first-ever sale averaged $2,700 and 29 open registered Brahman females averaged drew a large following on sale day. The 72 registered Brahman cattle $2,100. that were consigned to the sale averaged $2,476.38 per head. Unique to this sale, 8 lots of semen were donated to Deep South Junior Included in the registered Brahman group were 26 haltered Brahman Brahman Association (DSJBA). Each semen buyer received five straws heifers and bulls. The high selling lot was out of this set, a haltered high quality registered Brahman semen to use in their own herds. female earning consignor Valley B Enterprises of Cleveland, Tenn. Through this benefit, the DSJBA earned $1,900.

Florida Brahman Association Field Day Draws Crowd KENANSVILLE, FL - On Saturday, April 28, the Florida Brahman Asso- The field day concluded with the sale of 14 quality heifer lots that grossed ciation held its annual field day and heifer sale at Double C Bar Ranch in $58,950.The high selling lot was consigned by Valley B Enterprises of Cleve- Kenansville, Fla. The field day brought a large turnout and reported a suc- land, Tenn. and sold for $8,600. cessful sale. The event was successful in providing camaraderie for Florida Brahman en- This year, the annual event included a Florida Junior Brahman Association thusiasts. The FBA is working to grow its junior program, and this event (FJBA) meeting, showmanship clinic and showmanship competition, a tour drew potential FJBA members and their families from across the state to of the Double C Bar Ranch and a steak lunch sponsored by the Florida participate in the youth program and purchase potential show heifers, as well Cattlemen’s Association (FCA). as share their interest and passion for Brahman cattle.

Brangus

GENETRUST Mature Cowherd DispersalHeadlines Rocks! jacksonville, tx - A tremendous crowd from 10 states gath- and maternal sibs have sold for ered at Cavender’s Neches River Ranch in Jacksonville, TX to pur- over $250,000 in past sales. chase the foundation cows from the GENETRUST marketing group, Her powerful heifer calf, sired as they dispersed their mature cows and sold additional sale headlin- by the multi trait powerhouse, Csonka, also commanded the bid ers. These matrons formed the basis of the various programs within price of $5,000 to Clover Ranch. the GENETRUST group and the buying crowd recognized their worth and made their discriminate purchases at a rapid fire pace. Lot 92 and 92 A, from Schmidt Farms, were the third high selling 3N1 offering. Robert Leathers, Kosciusko, MS paid $4,750 to own The day’s high seller was lot 63 proven donor, Ms Brinks Bright- CCC Ms 430 Cadence 909P5. This negative BW EPD donor ranks side 541K28, the dam of ABS sire, CB Hombre 541T3. She is a in the breed’s top 3% for Milk and records an AWWR of 107 on 7 power cow ranking in the breed’s top 1% for WW and SC with top calves. Mike Vorel, Luther, OK paid $4,000 to own her crowd pleas- 3% of the breed YW EPDs. Johnston Farms, Montgomery, AL paid ing, Matamores heifer calf at side, as the pair was split in the ring. $13,000 to own this Brightside daughter from Cavender Ranch. The Spring pairs were topped at $5,750 as Shooting Star paid the bid The second high selling proven donor, at $9,000, was Lot 56, Ms price for Lot 55, Ms Brinks Cadence 468P45. She combined top 3% Brinks Sonar 468P58 consigned by The Oaks Farm. She is the dam REA and top 2% BW EPDS and had an eye catching Hombre heifer of Lometa, Pampa and Defiance of Brinks. She has proven her worth calf at side. This pair was consigned by Cavender Brangus. mated to the high growth bulls of the breed, such as Csonka and Unitas. She was purchased by Ray Westall, Arabela, NM. John Kieschnick, Giddings, TX paid $4,500 to own the second high selling pair. It was consigned by The Oaks Farm and was lot 97. This The high selling 3N1 was Lot 131 and 131A. Lot 131, TJM MS BT John Wayne daughter posted 6 traits in the top 40% or better of the 544R2 produced the $20,000 Insurrection bull for Jack Moore as a breed and sold with a bull calf at side by GR Swift 209W3. first calf heifer. She sold to Shooting Star Land and Cattle, Lamesa, TX for $5,000. Her super fancy heifer calf at side, lot 131A, was Topping the open heifers were lots 119 and 120, a pair of full sisters sired by Suhn’s Affirmed 30T and sold to Bruce Buffaloe, Friend- sired by Patton and consigned by Vorel Farms. They sold to Ray swood, TX for $5,100. Westall for $5,000 and $4,250 respectively.

Clover Ranch, Marietta, GA paid $5,000 each for the second high Volume buyers were Ray Westall, Arabela, NM and Todd Garrett, selling 3N1, lot 68 and 68A, consigned by Draggin M. Lot 68, MS Midlothian, TX. Brinks Uppercut 541P33 ranks in the top 2% of the breed for REA

The EAR june 2012 | 29 8 Donors Grossed $55,750.00 to Average $6,968.75 26 Open Heifers Grossed $66,700.00 to Average $2,565.38 37 3N1’s Grossed $181,450.00 to Average $4,904.05 1 Proven Herd Sire Grossed $7,500.00 to Average $7,500.00 14 Bred Cows Grossed $47,750.00 to Average $3,410.71 41 Spring Pairs Grossed $124,700.00 to Average $3,041.46 129 total Lots Grossed $488,350.00 to Average $3,785.66 2 Bred heifers Grossed $4,500.00 to Average $2,250.00

Brangus Producers Receive Georgia Cattlemen Award perry, ga - The Georgia Cattlemen’s Association (GCA) honored a local “We are delighted to have so many cattlemen nominated for these awards, cattle producer at its Cattlemen’s Ball on Friday, April 6, 2012, hosted in con- and we really appreciate the Greuels for their work promoting beef in Geor- junction with the 51st annual convention and trade show and 15th annual gia,” said Josh White, Georgia Cattlemen’s executive vice president. Georgia Beef Expo in Perry, Ga. Blackburn said the state group is very thankful for the Greuel family and all Mid-Georgia Cattlemen’s Association members Roger and Janet Greuel of of their extraordinary accomplishments, not only to promote the Georgia Greuel Family Brangus from Brooks, Ga., were recognized as the state as- Cattlemen’s Association, but the beef industry as a whole. sociation’s Seedstock Cattlemen of the Year. Janet & roger Greuel (middle) ac- cepted their award from a Fuller Sup- “Each year, GCA recognizes outstanding cattlemen. They work hard through- ply Company representative (left) & out the year running efficient farms and raising great cattle. They are an as- Steve Blackburn, GCA’s president. set to their community as well as the cattle industry,” said Steve Blackburn, 2011-2012 state association president.

The Cattlemen of the Year awards are sponsored by Fuller Supply Company and Agri-Labs. Each year, nominations are given from local chapters and county agents for the award.

Santa Gertrudis

New Board & Operational Changes AnnouncedHeadlines chattanooga, tn - Santa Gertrudis Breeders International Gary Harding, D 4- Gene Mc- held its annual membership meeting April 21, 2012 in Chattanooga, Carter, D 5 – John Denson, D Tennessee. Selected to lead the breed association for the 2012-2013 6 – Bud Clark year were: The Board of Directors announced during the annual membership President – Charla Borchers-Leon, Southern Y Ranch, Victoria, meeting that Livestock Genetic Services of Woodville, Virginia had Texas been selected to manage the association’s database and provide pedi- Vice-President Marketing & Promotion – Curtis Salter, Salter Farms, gree and genetic evaluation services. The firm, headed by John Gen- Milton, Florida ho, currently provides genetic evaluation services for numerous cow- Vice-President Breed Improvement – Adolfo Sanchez, Red Doc calf operations across the U.S. and influences genetic decisions on an Farm, Belen, New Mexico estimated 100,000 head. The Board also announced that customer Vice – President Youth Activities – Tom DuBois – DuBois Cattle service functions, data in-put and accounting task would be managed Co., Jewett, Texas by SGBI staff at the Kingsville, Texas headquarters. This operational Vice – President Membership – Bud Clark – C Bar C, DeSoto, Mis- change is scheduled to occur October 1, 2012. souri Vice-President Long Range Planning – Wes McDaniel – MC Ranch, Alpharetta, Georgia Secretary/Treasure – Pat Stults – Diamond S Ranch – Ft. Worth, Texas

Western Region Directors – Yancey Strait, Darrell Pitchford, Wylie Taliaferro, Charla Borchers-Leon, Tom DuBois

Eastern Region Directors – David Alderson, Debbie Gautz, Darren Richmond, Robert Silva, Curtis Salter, Wes McDaniel

At-Large Directors – D 1- Adolfo Sanchez, D 2- Pat Stults, D 3-

30 | june 2012 The EAR Hall of Fame Inductees Recognized The Santa Gertrudis Breeders International Board of Directors inducted with the breed as a SGBI fieldman. He became the manager of the famed 4 members into the SGBI Hall of Fame during the annual membership Nine Bar Ranch and served the association as president. Charles McMahen meeting at the Presidents Ball on Saturday, April 21, 2012. Inducted were was recognized for his devotion to the junior program and for the leader- Buddy Smith, Huntsville, Texas, John Kiker, Hempstead, Texas, Charles ship provided to the association during his tenure as president. Dietrich is McMahen, Schulenberg, Texas and Fred Dietrich, Orlando, Florida. Smith a long time breeder that has supported the breed and association through operated Santa Services for numerous years. The firm was known for mar- multiple avenues. He was especially instrumental in the development of the keting Santa Gertrudis genetics world-wide. Kiker began his association Polled Association.

Simbrah

Buxkemper Receives BIF Award Headlines HOUSTON, TX - Sally Buxkemper (center), RX Simbrah, Texas, received the 2012 Pioneer Award from 2011-2012 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) President Larry Mehlhoff (left) and BIF Executive Director Joe Cas- sady (right). BIF presents several awards each year at the annual convention to individuals, who have made significant contributions to the beef industry and BIF. Congratulations Sally.

Celebration Planned in South Africa to Commemorate 25 Years of Simbrah The South African Simbrah Association will have a special celebration, Sep- The whole tour is centered mainly around the Simbra 25 Festival, which will tember 1-7, 2012, to recognize the breed’s 25th anniversary. They have be held at the AfriDome in Parys in Northern Free State. The Afri Dome is a super program planned and have built a tremendous tour throughout a world class Equestrian facility and hosts many various events from horses South Africa, showcasing many of the better known tourist sites. to many cattle sales. Parys is itself a very beautiful, touristy town with many antique and art shops, with many restaurants, bars and top flight golf courses. These sites include Cape Town and the beautiful Wine Estates, Table Mountain and Robben Island where many of their leaders were impris- The National Simbra championships will also be held at this venue and it oned during the Apartheid era. Kruger National Park is also on the tour promises to be an unforgettable week of cattle and good cattle people. For schedule. additional information please visit www.excelsuslandgoed.co.za.

Pine Ridge Ranch Genetics Excel in Mexico villahermosa, mexico - SPine Ridge Ranch (PRR) , Athens, Texas is the number one exporter of Simbrah genetics to Mexico and recently at a Simbrah show in Villahermosa, Mexico those genetics claimed several championships. In the show there were four female divisions and four male divisions four of the division champions were bred by one or more PRR parent and claimed the grand champion female, reserve grand champion female, and reserve grand champion bull, which is pictured.

The new industry standard for Bos indicus. Your ad could be here! Advertising Sales: Call us to find out how. Mark Cowan: 903/495-4522, [email protected] Phone: 979/219-4599 Kyle Devoll: 979/820-8362, [email protected] Fax: 979/828-5532 Richard Hood: 979/224-6140, [email protected] www.theearmagazine.com Trey Kirkpatrick: 979/324-5518, [email protected]

The EAR june 2012 | 31 Industry News

Youth “Telling the Beef Story” Video Blog Contest Winner Announced This spring the beef checkoff launched a new video blog contest designed to engage youth in telling the beef story using the power of YouTube. Videos Second prize entries had to be two minutes or less and focus on one of eight beef related went to Sierra topics, including common beef misconceptions, cattle care and beef’s nutri- Shea Angell, tional value. Entries were judged on creativity, topic choice, content accuracy daughter of and how beef was positioned. Russ and Sally Thomas The grand prize winner is Jason Girouard, son of Rebecca and David Gir- of Centra- ouard of Brimfield, Mass. The Tantasqua Regional High School student re- lia, Mo. The ceives a $750 cash prize and a trip to an annual Cattle Industry Convention. University of Missouri When asked why he entered the contest he said, “This contest really stuck student and out to me because beef has been a huge part of my life. I’ve been really active Team Beef lately with track and swimming at my school, and like I said in my video, runner receives $250 for her efforts to showcase the power of protein in her eating right has been essential in my daily routine. In order to do everything short video. I do I need to eat right! Third prize was awarded to Parker Wade Crouse, son of Marion and Patri- There’s nothing like the natural proteins in beef, and the other vitamins that cia Crouse of Woody, Calif. The Valley Oaks Charter High School student it has. It keeps me in the best shape I can be! Basically, I run on beef. receives $100 for his video which focused on the power of cattle as recyclers and firefighters. When I saw this contest, I just had to enter it. I don’t want anyone thinking that beef is bad for you at all, because it’s not. It’s great for you and more Visit MyBeefCheckoff.com for more information about your beef checkoff people should eat it and know all the benefits that it has, and that’s basically investment. the message that I tried to make with my video.” ~ Cattlemen’s Beef Board News Release

The World’s Biggest Meat Consumers Revealed HUFFINGTON POST - MAY 14, 2012 - Of all the countries in the world, Although Western countries still eat the most meat/person, it’s middle-in- which consumes the most meat per person? The answer might surprise you. come countries like China that drive worldwide demand for it.

“Nope, it’s not the burger-loving U.S. (though we do consume the second The most: most in the world) -- it’s tiny European nation Luxembourg, which tipped 1. Luxembourg (300#/person/year) the scales at 300 lbs./year. Of the 177 countries included in the study, India 2. United States (276#/person/year) consumed the least amount, at only 7 lbs./person. 3. Australia (267#/person/year) 4. New Zealand (255#/person/year) The information, gathered by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization 5. Spain (242#/person/year) (FAO) and analyzed by The Economist, indicates that consumption of meat has been on the rise worldwide over the last 50 years. The least: 173. Rwanda (12#/person/year) Tastes have changed, too. Beef and veal topped the menu in the early 1960s, 174. Burundi (11#/person/year) accounting for 40% of meat consumption; but by 2007, their share had 175. Democratic Republic of the Congo (10#/person/year) fallen to 23%. Pork is now the protein of choice, with around 99 million 176. Bangladesh (9#/person/year) tons consumed. 177. India (7#/person/year)

Weed Resistance Could Call for a More Diversified Herbicide Plan COLLEGE STATION - MAY 19, 2012 - Producers who rely on glyphosate- ing that are genetically different than others that may look the same and are tolerant or “Roundup-resistant” crops probably should be expanding their tolerant to glyphosate. weed-control toolbox, said Dr. Paul Baumann, Texas AgriLife Extension Ser- vice state weed specialist. “If all else is killed out but that one plant is different, that is the start of the “We have a critical issue arising, in that common water hemp in Central problem,” he said. “One common water hemp plant could shed 400,000 to and Southeast Texas and Palmer amaranth pigweed in the High Plains have 500,000 seeds. So if that one weed is not killed, then later that year or the fol- started showing signs of resistance to glyphosate herbicides,” Baumann said. lowing year, there may be a whole patch of this resistant biotype of the weed.”

The common water-hemp resistance started showing up in 2005 with spotty Baumann said he has been warning farmers for the past 10 years that they infestations along the Gulf Coast and then it was hit or miss until 2010, with need to use a multiherbicide program and not just rely on one product to it occurring in other sites, he said. do the job.

Roundup Ready means the crop, in this case cotton, has been genetically “We have to have more than one mechanism to manage the anomalies,” he modified to tolerate glyphosate applications made for controlling weeds, said. “The resistant plants have probably always been there, but when you Baumann said. However, there are now biotypes of certain weeds appear- eliminate the competition with a highly effective herbicide like glyphosate, 32 | june 2012 The EAR they begin to flourish.” The application timing on pigweed, however, is much more critical in terms of weed size for treatment with Liberty, Baumann warned, so treatments must be applied to The problem can be even worse for producers who plant back-to-back Roundup small (less than 4 to 5 inches) Palmer amaranth or common water hemp. Ready cotton and Roundup Ready corn, if they continue to use only glyphosate herbicide on either crop, Baumann said. “The big issue is, from a producer’s standpoint, by the time he recognizes or notices the resistance issue, he has probably already treated those weeds twice without any His recommendation is for producers to return to using soil-residual herbicides along results and the weeds have gotten too big to treat it with any product,” he said. “The with the glyphosate products. Trifluralin (Treflan) and pendamethalin (Prowl) are only alternative at that point is plowing or cultivating the middles or hand-pulling two of the available products that could be used in cotton programs. Some other those weeds in the rows.” approved products that also are soilactive herbicides are Staple, Cotoran, Dual and Warrant. Baumann said producers should start with the mix of herbicides, putting out a soil- applied preemergent or pre-plant incorporated herbicide without fail, and it will be “All of those have a different mechanism of action than glyphosate and will effectively more economical to management the weeds in the long run. provide substantial control of either species,” Baumann said. “Roundup is too good on too many weeds to pull out of a program, but use it as one of the tools and not “I know farmers don’t want to spend more money fighting a problem they don’t yet the only one.” have,” he said. “But my argument is, even if you don’t ever have the resistance problem, you are just ensuring that there is no competition to your crop from weeds from The other option, he said, is to switch to Liberty Link cotton, which is tolerant to day one if you use a soil-active herbicide. Those first eight to 10 weeks are the most the herbicide glufosinate (Liberty). This product has much of the same spectrum for critical in keeping weed-free to prevent competition and yield loss.” weed control as glyphosate, but has a different effect on the weeds which makes it a ~ Texas AgriLife Extension sound alternative to glyphosate. 2012 Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course Set for August 608 COLLEGE STATION - MAY 19, 2012 - The 58th annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle tion, management practices in the areas of forage, nutrition and reproduction, record Short Course, conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, is scheduled for keeping, brush-busting, cattle handling, landowner issues and much more,” he said. Aug. 6-8 at Texas A&M University in College Station. In addition to classroom instruction on Aug. 6-7, participants can attend one of the A variety of cattle production management topics will be presented at this year’s short popular demonstrations on the morning of Aug. 8. course including a weather outlook, said Dr. Jason Cleere, AgrLife Extension beef cattle specialist and conference coordinator. “There will be demonstrations on chute-side calf working, cattle behavior, penning, selection and brush-busting,” Cleere said. “These provide an opportunity for ranchers “Our topics this year will fit right into what Texas beef producers are experiencing to see beef cattle production practices put to use. with forage management, beef cattle management and beef cattle marketing,” Cleere said. “The long-term cattle market outlook is one of many other topics that will be “The goal of the short course each year is to provide the most cutting-edge informa- discussed in the 22 different cattleman’s college sessions at the short course.” tion that is needed by beef cattle producers, and this year is no exception.”

The general session will feature a virtual tour of a U.S. feedyard and U.S. beef packing Participants can receive a Texas Department of Agriculture private pesticide applica- plant, a presentation on what consumers want to know about raising beef, as well as tor’s license during the short course and can earn at least seven pesticide continuing challenges and opportunities for ranchers in the next 20 years.Sessions will be held education units if they are already licensed, Cleere added. at various locations on the Texas A&M campus with the main general sessions at Rudder Auditorium. An industry trade show will be held during the event, featuring more than 110 agri- cultural businesses and service exhibits. “Planning committee members from around the state have met with us and helped us put together another outstanding program,” he said. “The short course has become Registration is $160 per person and includes educational materials, a copy of the 600- one of the largest and most comprehensive beef cattle educational programs in the page Beef Cattle Short Course proceedings, trade show admittance, admission to the U.S.” prime rib dinner, lunches, breakfasts and daily refreshments. Registration information and a tentative schedule will be mailed to previous partici- The cattleman’s college portion of the three-day short course provides participants pants in May, but can also be found on the short course website at http://beef.tamu. with an opportunity to choose workshops based on their level of production experi- edu. Producers can register online at http://beef.tamu.edu or contact Cleere’s office ence and the needs of their ranch, Cleere said. at 979-845-6931. ~ Texas AgriLife Extension “These concurrent workshops will feature information on introductory cattle produc- New Black Sorghum Line Developed by Texas AgriLife Research COLLEGE STATION - MAY 8, 2012- A Texas AgriLife Research scientist said cost and yield. Rooney said that Onyx partially addresses this issue. Its yield potential there’s potential for a black grain sorghum hybrid targeting the health-food market. is approximately 65-70 percent of a commercial grain sorghum hybrid. He said this Dr. Bill Rooney has developed Onyx, a black sorghum hybrid that is produced by hybrid is designed for niche market-production – it will not be widely grown or dis- crossing ATx3363 and RTx3362, both developed by AgriLife Research. This grain tributed. Production will be a cooperative effort among AgriLife Research, specific sorghum hybrid is unique because the outer layer of the grain (more commonly niche-market sorghum producers and end-users or processors who are willing to pay known as bran) is black, Rooney said. The black color is the result of high concentra- a premium for the grain so they can use it in health-food products. Other project tions of anthocyanins, which are also antioxidants. “This type of sorghum would be contributors from the sorghum breeding lab are Chad Hayes and Ostilio Portillo. In suitable for the cereal market,” Rooney said. “You could grind this and turn it into addition, Drs. Lloyd W. Rooney, Joseph Awika and Linda Dykes from the Cereal flour for food use. You could also take the bran to concentrate the antioxidants in this Quality Laboratory in the department of soil and sciences at Texas A&M University form; there are a lot of potential applications for this.” The color in Onyx is derived assisted in the characterization of the antioxidants in this hybrid. The line is currently from the RTx3362 line, but hybridization was necessary to increase grain yield to in the licensing phase through The Texas A&M University System Office of Technol- levels acceptable for production, Rooney said. Currently, obstacles facing sorghum ogy Commercialization. growers targeting production for the health food markets are stability, production, ~ Texas AgriLife Extension

The EAR june 2012 | 33 34 | june 2012 The EAR Advertiser’s Index 101 Ranch...... 25 Dos Bros Ranches...... 1 OvaGenix...... 35 2H Brangus...... 34 El Rancho De Trabajo...... 34 Pine Ridge Ranch...... 35 5K Cowbelle Ranch...... 34 Garrett Brangus...... 34 Quail Creek Brangus...... 34 Advanced Genetic Services, LLC...... 35 GENETRUST...... 11,21 Reynolds, Greg...... 35 AMS Genetics, LLC...... BC Harris Riverbend Farm...... 34,IBC Robert Yates Ranch...... 34 Briggs Ranches...... IFC, 34 Hengst Bros. Brangus...... 34 Salacoa Valley Farms...... 3 Buckner Polled Beefmaster...... 34 Indian Hills Ranch...... 34 Schmidt Farms...... 27 Calyx Star Ranch...... 34 J.D. Hudgins, Inc...... 5,34 Southern Cattle Co...... 16-17 Cavender Ranches...... 34 JLS International...... 34 TAMU Beef Cattle Short Course...... 12 Champion Genetics...... 35 Lambert, Doak...... 35 TCR Genetics...... 35 Corporron Acres...... 1 Livestock Photography by Nancy...... 35 Triangle K Farms...... 34 Cow Creek...... 16-17 M & W Cattle Service...... 35 Truitt Brangus Farms...... 34 Crochet Cattle...... 34 McCreary Farms...... 34 Walking T...... 13 Doguet’s Diamond D Ranch...... 34 Nunley Bros. Ranches...... 35 Westall Ranches, LLC...... 8-9,34 Don Thomas & Sons...... 34 Oakley, Lakin...... 35

The EAR june 2012 | 35 Calendar Please note that events/sales in bold have ads placed in this issue. Check them out! June 3 - Indian Nations Fall Sale - TBA 2 - Five Oaks Ranch Santa Gertrudis Sale - Clifton, TX 3 - Louisiana BBA Cowboy Classic Sale - Lake Charles, LA 9 - Walking T Ranch Commercial Female Sale - Melissa, TX 10 - The Stockmen’s Kind Bull Sale @ Blackwater Cattle Co. - 9 - Carolina’s Brahman Sale - Clemson, SC Lake Park, GA 16 - “The Event” A Showcase of Red Brangus 16 - RRR Ranch Annual Production Female Sale - TBA Genetics - Brenham, TX 16-17 - MAS VII Simbrah Sale - Mercedes, TX December 1 - GENETRUST @ Cavender Ranches Brangus Sale - Jacksonville, TX August 15 - Tom Brothers Ranch & Parners Bull Sale - Campbellton, 4 - Bama Breeze Beefmaster Sale - Falkville, AL TX 6-8 - 58th Annual TAMU Beef Cattle Short Course - College Station, TX 18 - Rafter 4R’s Sunchine Sellebration Sale - Kissimmee, FL 25 - Southeastern BBA Convention Sale - Tunica, MS Because September we want 8 - Lasater Ranch Sale - Matheson, CO 8 - Southern Revolution Sale - Savannah, TN 10-11 - V8 Ranch “Power of Production” Sale - Online to 15 - Southern Alliance Beefmaster Sale - Falkville, AL 22 - Live Oak BBA Fall Sale - Three Rivers, TX hEAR 22 - Heritage Cattle Co. Show Heifer Sale - Hungerford, TX 29 - Circle J & Friends Beefmaster Sale - Groesbeck, TX from October 4 - Advancing the Breed II - Lake Charles, LA YOU! 6 - Isa Cattle Co. Performance Tested Bull Sale - San Angelo, TX 6 - 4B Ranch Productin Sale - Shreveport, LA We’re all about getting the word out, let us know 12-13 - Southern Cattle Co./Cow Creek Ranch Bull & Female about your next Bos indicus influenced event or sale. Sale - Aliceville, AL 13 - Ozark & Heart of America Fall Female Sale - Tulsa, OK Contact: 13 - South Texas BBA Buccaneer Classic Sale - Robstown, TX Crystal Devoll Brad Wright 13 - Central Texas BBA Beef On Forage Performance Bull Sale - Phone: 979/820-8358 Phone: 979/219-4599 Brenham, TX [email protected] Fax: 979/828-5532 13 - CX Advantage Sale - Weimar, TX 13 - Heart of Texas Simmental/Simbrah Association Fall Fest [email protected] Sale - Hearne, TX 19-20 - Tri Star Sale - Bloomington, TX 20 - President’s Council Sale - Branson, MO Your ad could be in here! 20 - Doguet’s Diamond D Ranch Annual Bull & Female Sale - Poteet, TX Call us to find out how. 26 - Salacoa Valley “Buy the Numbers” Sale - Fairmount, GA Advertising Sales: 26-28 - Synergy V Sale & Showcase - Giddings, TX Mark Cowan: 903/495-4522, [email protected] 27 - Carr & Others Fall Beefmaster Sale - Floresville, TX Kyle Devoll: 979/820-8362, [email protected] Richard Hood: 979/224-6140, [email protected] November Trey Kirkpatrick: 979/324-5518, [email protected] 2-3 - GENETRUST @ Chimney Rock Registered Brangus Fax: 979/828-5532 Female, Bull & Commercial Female Sale - Concord, AR www.theearmagazine.com

36 | june 2012 The EAR Our NEXT Generation of Herd Sires Give Yourself The Edge

Tri Star Sale October 19th-20th 200+ Star 5 Bloomington,Santa Gertrudis TX Commercial 60 PerformanceFemales Santa Gertrudis Bulls 60 Top Quality Registered Santa Gertrudis Females

DP 161/0 (Scurred) - Semen Available Soon Top 30% BW, REA & Marbling Co-owned with Winrock Farms

AJH 12/0 (Scurred) - Semen Available at $30/Straw Top 20% Maternal Co-owned with Strait Ranches

FC PISTOL 28/0 - Semen Available Soon Top 10% WW, YW, REA - Steller First Season Show Career Co-owned with Super S Cattle Co. & Flying C Ranch The New Generation Santa Gertrudis Harris Riverbend Farm David & Laurie Harris PO Box 691 l Cleburne, TX 76033 817/641-4159 home 817/641-4771 office 817/996-5866 mobile June 9th Feature: Walking T Ranch of Melissa, TX 1150 Head of Angus l Brangus Baldies l Superbaldies

Offering to include: Bred Heifers (many AI Bred to low BW Angus & Brangus bulls) Exposed & Open Heifers 80 Head of Mature Bred Cows & Pairs

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