Spring 2019 R.A. Brown Ranch Newsletter R.A. Brown Ranch PO BOX 727 WWW.RABROWNRANCH.COM THROCKMORTON, TX 76483 [email protected] 940-849-0611

Image was taken at the at RAB by Kelli taken ImageBrown was or many, this is the time of year Once these three questions are Bull Selection when bull purchasing decisions answered, sire selection becomes occur. Before you buy a bull, much simpler. The answers to these Principles — consider what you need to improve. questions inherently lead a producer to Be an F The key questions that every rancher the traits that are economically relevant needs to answer are: to their enterprise. We call these traits Educated Economically Relevant Traits (ERT). 1) What are my breeding/marketing goals? Fundamentally, these traits are Consumer 2) What traits directly impact the directly associated with a revenue stream profitability of my enterprise? or a cost. All traits that are not ERTs Matt Spangler, Ph.D., 3) Are there environmental constraints are indicator traits, or a trait that is that dictate the level of performance genetically correlated to an ERT but not UNL Associate Professor that is acceptable for a given trait in an ERT itself. and Genetics my enterprise? A classic example of an indicator trait is birth weight. Selection to decrease Extension Specialist

1906 1917 1929

R.H. Brown brought the first registered Hereford to R. A. Brown, 15, enrolled in R.H. Brown dies from a long bout with cancer. The Great Depression hits. The Throckmorton County and started selling bulls. His son, R.A. school at Woodson, Texas, family advises R. A. to give up the ranch. Instead he got his mother and his Brown, grew up working at the Fort Worth Stockyards and so he could help at the ranch sisters to deed their parts of the ranch to him so he could borrow enough during the summers worked at the ranch in Throckmorton. through the severe drought. money to save it. birth weight in an attempt to reduce birth weight EPD should be ignored. important to consider your particular the prevalence of dystocia is practiced Selecting to improve multiple traits breeding objective and the traits that by numerous commercial bull simultaneously can be cumbersome, will achieve desired production goals. buyers. However, birth weight does but is necessary, given multiple traits For instance, if your production not have a direct revenue source or act together to inform the profitability goals included retaining replacements cost associated with it. The trait that of cow-calf enterprises. Just open and selling cull heifers and steer does have a cost associated with it is up any sale catalog, and it is easy to progeny at weaning, then an index calving ease (or difficulty). become confused immediately. that assumes all offspring are sold on Calving ease is related to the level Economic indices can help alleviate a grid-based system is inappropriate of assistance needed during a calving this confusion. An economic index for your operation. event. Although the two are related, is a collection of EPDs weighted by It is also important to know the the genetic correlation between their economic value such that traits breed average values for particular calving ease and birth weight is only with greater impacts on production indexes and to use percentile ranks between -0.6 and -0.8, suggesting goals have a larger economic weight to determine how far above or birth weight only explains 36-64% associated with them. These tools below average a particular animal is of the genetic differences between allow producers to select bulls based compared to the rest of a breed. animals for calving difficulty. on their genetic potential to improve For more information relative to Consequently, to reduce calving net profit. EPDs and selection indices, go to difficulty, bulls should be selected When making selection decisions www.eBeef.org. based on the calving ease EPD and the based on economic indices, it’s

1934 1958 1960 1965

R. A. Brown and his wife Valda assume management R.A. Brown Jr. (Rob) and Peggy Brown Rob had the foresight to start a Rob & R. A. agreed to start crossbreeding the commercial of the Thomas Ranch as well as the Brown Ranch married one year before graduating mesquite woodchip company Hereford cows with Brown Swiss. A week later R. A. raising commercial as well as registered Hereford from Texas Tech and returning to in Throckmorton and started died from a sudden heart attack. Rob closed the wood cattle and selling Hereford bulls. Throckmorton to work on the ranch. marketing it for cooking. company and took over management of the ranch.

2 / R.A. Brown Ranch More Bull For Your Buck Angus, Red Angus, Black/Red Angus, and SimAngus combined from three R.A. Brown Ranch 2018 sales. > $15,000 (1%)

$10,000 - $14,999 (2.9%)

$8,000 - $9,999 (5.8%)

$6,500 - $7,999 (12.7%)

$5,000 - $6,499 (23.7%)

$3,750 - $4,999 (17.3%)

$2,500 - $3,749 (24%)

< $2,500 (12.5%)

Red Angus: $20,000 Black Red Angus: $15,000 Red Angus: $8,500 Angus: $6,500

Red Angus: $5,500 SimAngus: $4,500 SimAngus: $3,000 Angus: $2,500 REQUEST YOUR SPRING CATALOG TODAY Featuring 200 Angus, Red Angus and SimAngus Bulls, 100 Registered Red Angus Females, and 100 Commercial Bred Heifers.

1969 1970 1975 1981

The crossbred calves were 100 Simmental took the place of Brown Swiss in First Bull Sale - 115 Betsy Brown Bellah and her husband Jody come to the ranch to pounds heavier at weaning, but were the crossbreeding program. The herd was bred bulls averaged $578/ manage the accounting, the commercial cow herd and expand discounted in the market place because up to purebred Simmental and started selling bull. Top selling bull the wheat farming division to be used in developing the growing of the brindle, gray and dun color. Simmental and Simmental Hybrid bulls. brought $1,175. bulls and replacment heifers from weaning to yearling.

R.A. Brown Ranch / 3 If you are still doing what Grandad did... By: Donnell Brown Use the most progressive tools available to propell your operation forward — like Grandad did. remember asking my Dad Grandad had a 4020 tractor. It was the very best bulls for you. You don’t and some of his best friends a big step up in the farming industry need to know how to use all of these what the biggest “difference when it became the most popular things. Let us do the hard work for makers” or improvements tractor of all time from 1964 to 1972. you so that you can use our bulls Ithat have happened in the cattle Are you still driving Granddad’s 4020 to improve your profitability and business during your lifetimes? or have you stepped up to a better sustainability in the cattle business. Their answers fascinated me as model that gets more done in less We encourage you to do what they replied: 4 wheel drive pickup, time and is therefore more efficient progressive Grandads did: Surround gooseneck trailer, round baler, cake and a better value? yourself with good people and use feeder and crossbreeding. Grandad selected a few of the the best tools and bulls that you can A few months ago, Tucker came biggest calves at branding time to find to make your ranch better. home from a cattle conference leave as bulls. Are you selecting your asking the question: “If you are still bulls on looks alone or with actual doing what Grandad did, are you weights like Grandad did? really doing what Grandad did? My Grandad never used a Grandad used an outhouse calculator, computer, cell phone, – because it was a significant cake feeder or gooseneck trailer, improvement over squatting behind but he used the best tools he had a tree. Are you using an outhouse available at the time. He sure wasn’t (because Grandad did) when you doing in the 1950s what his Grandad could be using indoor plumbing? was doing in the 1880s and our Grandad rode to town on business is still here today because his horse to send a telegram to he used the best tools available to communicate, because it was much make our ranch better. faster than the Pony Express. Then It was said earlier this year that he got a crank phone and moved up “The pace of change has never been to a rotary phone where the Operator this fast, yet it will never be this would connect you. Have you chosen slow again.” What changes are you to continue using the same old making to your ranching business? communication methods Grandad What science and technology are did or like your Grandad are you you using to produce better cattle? using the best and most practical You don’t have to understand how a communication methods available? computer or mobile phone works in Grandad bought encyclopedias order to use them to your benefit. to find answers to his questions. The biggest “difference makers” Is it possible that you have found so far in my life include: EPDs, AI, out more from the internet and/ estrus synchronization, embryo or your smart phone this year than transfer, DNA, feed efficiency testing Grandad used the encyclopedias in and Excel spreadsheets. We are his entire life? using these tools in order to make

1987 1989 1990

Red Angus was added to the program with the purchase of Roy Beeby’s entire The composite Hotlander™ herd was started under the advisement of Dr. Rob A. Brown with his wife Talley in partnership crop of Replacement heifers. An airplane load of cattle were imported Keith Gregory at the Meat Animal Research Center & Dr. Ronnie Green at with Rob & Jody Bellah bought an interest in a from the Virgin Islands to be used in a planned crossbreeding program to bring Texas Tech. Angus (red & black), Simmental, Brahman and Senepol were commercial feedyard where feedlot and carcass heat tolerance and hybrid vigor without Brahman influence. blended to create the ultimate hybrid for hot environments. data was gathered in testing of the ranch’s top sires.

4 / R.A. Brown Ranch If you are still doing what Grandad did... By: Donnell Brown Use the most progressive tools available to propell your operation forward — like Grandad did. FROM THE RANCHER’S DESK Ten things to remember when selecting your next herd bull.

Take selection seriously and professionally. He accounts for at Make sure your bull provider is using DNA and Genomically 1 least half of your calves potential and can be an investment 7 Enhanced EPDs. Knowing for certain who their daddy is, along that pays significant dividends….don’t sell yourself short. If you with the tremendous increase in accuracy, is a risk management save replacement heifers, his influence will be felt for years. tool you can’t afford to do without.

Ask your bull provider for help. There isn’t anyone who Identify all the traits that make an animal profitable and knows those bulls better. 2 sustainable for your particular business. Often times this is 8 not ONE but multiple economically relevant traits. Remember the importance of docility for your situation. How to select your bull provider? We suggest locating Get the bull to fit your cows, that creates the calves that fit someone who listens well. Understanding and evaluating your market (whether they be terminal or replacements). 9your operation, along with building a product that will sustain 3 your profitability into the future, is the name of the game. Obviously, they need to back up their “sales pitch” with complete Use all of the available tools. EPDs aren’t new, they’ve been performance testing of their genetics to know what will deliver around for the better part of four decades. predictable results. Additionally, consider all of the customer 4 service that they offer? Breeding guarantee? Marketing assistance? Request spreadsheets with all of the EPDs, indices and Start early. This decision can have a significant percentile ranks so that you can sort through the mounds of impact on your ranch economics for a number of years. 5 numbers you have prioritized and “judge your class on paper.” 10

Use your short list to then do physical evaluations once you arrive at the sale location or by individual videos provided 6on the seller’s website.

1993 1997 1999

R A Brown Ranch honored as the Seedstock Producer of The Ranchers Renaisance (RR) alliance was born and R. A. Brown Ranch is one of nine ranches to be the Year by the Beef Improvement Federation. Donnell became one of the most successful alliances throughout named NCBA Cattle Business of the Century and & Kelli Brown graduate from college and come back to the next decade. Cooperator Herd program started in later that year, Rob was honored as the nation’s the ranch to help manage the seedstock business. order to fill the growing demand for more bulls. top rancher with the Golden Spur Award.

R.A. Brown Ranch / 5 The Ranch in The Family and The Family in the Ranch Rob Brown Saddle & Sirloin Induction Newsworthy

ob Brown represents the raised an outstanding family, and have also been inducted into the Quarter fourth generation of a ensured the R.A. Brown Ranching Horse Hall of Fame. Brown family legacy of tradition will go on to a sixth generation. Rob and Peggy decided to hand ranching in Texas, and his The entire ranch has developed the reins over to their four children in Rnational impact has been enormous. through merging Brown, Thomas, 2013 through a generational transfer. He has led with his motto of “be and Donnell family ranchland, This process allowed them to “keep progressive, but practical” as well some dating back as early as 1876. the ranch in the family and the family as “embrace science while honoring The Brown part was established by in the ranch.” Today, the original tradition.” He has built one of the R.H. Brown, operator of a livestock seedstock part of R.A. Brown Ranch larger and most significant ranches commission company on the historic is owned and managed by Donnell in the country that encompasses all Ft. Worth Stockyard during the and Kelli Brown. Though recognized aspects of livestock production. His early 1900s. His son, R.A. Brown as a working family ranch for more Quarter Horse and cattle seedstock Sr., managed the ranch and helped than five generations, the Brown have made a significant impact on organize American Quarter Horse family gives much recognition to the industry worldwide, and his Association (AQHA). He is a member their loyal, dedicated, hard-working service to the industry both nationally of the American Quarter Horse Hall of employees who work daily with them and internationally is incalculable. Fame, and his son, R.A. “Rob” Brown to reach the Ranch’s goals and the Most important, he and wife Peggy Jr., served as AQHA president and has cooperating herds throughout the

2001 2007 2012

Just before the drought breaks, R. A. Brown Ranch has a mature cow Rob Brown honored with the Beef Improvement Federation’s In October 10 of 2012, Brown JYJ herd dispersal of their Angus and Red Angus cow herds. Embryos Pioneer Breeder Award. The Brown family continues to pray and Redemption Y1334 sold for $140,000 at were implanted in commercial cows to rebuild the elite nucleus herd. persevere with steadfast commitment to their customers and to the 38th Annual Sale, making him the The new AI and Bull Development Center was also constructed. do what is rightcontinuing the legacy of the R. A. Brown Ranch. all-time high selling bull in our history.

6 / R.A. Brown Ranch The Ranch in The Family and The Family in the Ranch Rob Brown Saddle & Sirloin Induction Newsworthy

country who produce such high those maintained at the other Brown jobs at the ranch and some find their quality genetics. family locations, more than 40 foals way to the rodeo arena, 4-H horse R.A. Brown Ranch is a progressive are produced each year. This gives the shows, cuttings, and ranch rodeo family ranching business that has Ranch an the opportunity to retain competitions. Recently, these same been producing some of the most quality saddle horses and mares for horses have been topping classes of superior cattle and Quarter Horses the operation while still offering the the Ranching Heritage Challenge in the industry since 1895. R.A. public spectacular horseflesh year and Versatility Ranch Horse Brown Ranch is known best for its after year. competitions. You might see them powerful breeding bulls (more than Many visitors have commented at NRCHA, SHOT or RHAA, but one 800 head annually) sold in two that their favorite part of touring the thing you will certainly notice is the annual production sales the second R.A. Brown Ranch, is seeing these brand they carry. Wednesday of March and the second mares with foals at side running in The mission at R.A. Brown Ranch is Wednesday of October. Three breeds the rough and rocky pastures of the very clear: We are striving to improve make up the primary cowherd: rolling plains. The R.A. Brown Ranch the efficiency of converting God’s Angus, Red Angus, and SimAngus. pasture breed and foal all the mares forage into healthy, nutritious, great Ranch headquarters is located in the rugged hills of West Texas. The tasting BEEF to better feed His people. near Throckmorton, Texas, where foals are halter broke around the 4th This progressive ranching operation extensive records are maintained on of July every year and then weaned in will continue to grow as it raises more 1,000 head of registered cows, 200 late September. cows, kids, and Quarter Horses. commercial cows, and a great set of Traditionally, R.A. Brown horses Quarter Horse broodmares. They are made available have also been assertive in wildlife for sale two times management, including whitetail a year, the October deer, wild hogs, turkeys, quail, dove, production sale at and many tanks stocked with hybrid the ranch and in fish (Tiger Bass). the Ft. Worth Stock The ranch has received the Show Remuda National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Sale in January. Cattle Business of the Century Ranch cowboys are Award and American Quarter Horse all given a colt to Association / Bayer Best Remuda add to their string Award, and has consistently been and, by starting featured in BEEF Magazine’s these horses, earn Seedstock 100. part interest and As a BEST OF THE REMUDAS possession of and LEGACY award winning ranch the horse. Their and now a RANCHING HERITAGE strings are filled BREEDER, the ranch’s horses are not with solid ranch only making a name on the ranch, geldings that are but also in the arena. Including the an important tool band of mares at headquarters and to fulfill their daily

2013 2015 2016 2018

The R.A. Brown Ranch Legacy Sale, The R.A. Brown Ranch was recognized R.A. Brown Ranch Rob Brown inducted into the Saddle & Sirloin Hall of Fame for his Complete and Total Dispersal, was held as a 75 year breeder at the 75th hosted its first dedication to the and Quarter Horse industries. at the ranch. Rob & Peggy conclude a Anniversary AQHA Convention & annual Spring lifetime in the ranching business. Cowtown Showdown Bull Sale.

R.A. Brown Ranch / 7 R.A. Brown Ranch PO Box 727 Throckmorton, TX 76483

EVENTSSEE YOU ON THE TRAIL! Feb. 22-23 North Carolina Cattlemen’s Convention, Hickory, NC

Feb. 23 World’s Greatest Horseman Finals, Ft. Worth, TX

March 13 R.A. Brown Ranch 4th Annual Spring Sale, Throckmorton, TX Texas Ranch Brigade - Guest Speaker - July 18 Texas Ranch Roundup, Wichita Falls - Aug 18-19 March 21 Ankony Angus - Guest Speaker - Sept 26 Ag Workers Insurance Board Meeting, Ft. Worth, TX Snaffle Bit Futurity, Ft Worth - Oct 7-20 Saddle & Sirloin Induction, Louisville, KY - Nov 11 March 29-31 TSCRA Convention, Ft. Worth, TX

April 6 Turn the Studs out with the Mare bands

April 11-13 West Virginia Beef Expo, Jacksons Mill, WV

April 26-28 Annual Stoecklein Photo Workshop, R.A. Brown Ranch, Throckmorton, TX

May 9-11 Western Heritage Classic, Abilene, TX

June 18-21 Beef Improvement Federation Annual Convention, Brookings, SD

June 18-23 AQHA Zoetis Versatility Ranch Horse World Championships and Ranching Heritage Finals, Lazy E Arena, Guthrie, OK T

When I think about dealing with the R.A. Brown Ranch, I think about trustworthiness and integrity, but also proven performance. The genetics of the R.A. Brown Ranch have turned our operation 180 degrees in the right direction to achieve high standards in carcass data, but yet retain maternal traits.” -Michael White From Spears & White Cattle, 131 steers and heifers graded 100% Choice or better and 48% Prime on the last load! This marks the third consecutive year they have graded more than 40% Prime, and the 14th year the RAB has helped breed their Michael White herd to top young sires (SimAngus, Red Angus & Angus) as a proving ground for Vernon, TX their carcass merit while simultaneously producing top-quality replacement females for their herd. 8 / R.A. Brown Ranch “