Ca t t l e m a n s Chr o n i c l e

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1 F l y i n g H G e n e t i c s Ca t t l e m a n s Chr o n i c l e Fall Newsletter 2011 Vol.7 Finding the A hot button topic for some time now has been how big is too Big and how small is too small? The 1200 lb. cow seems to be the universal measuring stick, yet it may be impractical or impossible for your specific operation to achieve this threshold for mature cow size. Therefore, one needs to explore and understand three critical elements that shape cow size. They are as follows: 1. Do you have any specific geographic limitations or challenges? 2. What are the end product goals of our beef industry? 3. What is YOUR most profitable size? The location of your cowherd within the 48 continuous states will undoubtedly shape the size and productivity of the cows you manage, because differences in types and quality of forages can add or subtract several hundred pounds Sweet Spot What is the Ideal Cow Size? to mature cow size. The common forage for most of us in the Missouri region and throughout the Midwest is Tall Fescue. This hardy, cool season grass has the ability to produce ample amounts of tonnage in the spring and fall seasons. But, its quality falls fast with the heat of summer. And, let s not forget about the toxicity challenges it presents to the cattle that consume it. For those of us that depend on Tall Fescue for financial survival, it is easy to see that a 1500 lb.+ cow has a hard time being profitable. Cows that range in the lb. range tend to offer the most production performance with the least amount of open cows or fallout due to adverse 1 reactions to the toxins produced by the fungus that cohabitates with the forage. Fescue isn t the only forage that presents a challenge to cattle managers. The I don t know, Stan. She s pretty wide back here, I d call her a 32.

2 Cow/calf pair grazing high quality native grasses of central Nebraska. Cow/calf pair grazing subtropical forages between orange groves in central Florida. Try not to get caught up in the hype that a specific size of cow is the only size that is profitable. Bahia grasses of south central Arkansas and parts of Florida, the native prairie grasses that only grow five to six months of the year, and the high desert forages of Idaho through Northern California all take astute cattlemen to utilize the best of what they have to offer. Availability/cost of forages and prolonged periods of hot or cold weather will also contribute significantly to honing in on your sweet spot. The extreme heat of the southern states and tropical climate in Florida present a serious management issue for producers in those areas. Cow size tends to be smaller as a result. Meanwhile, cowmen in the northern states endure long hard winters with subzero temperatures for extended periods of time. As a result of the cold weather and high quality forages, cow size and birth weights tend to be much larger on average. Let s not forget about the challenges cows face at high altitudes in the mountain ranges of Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, etc. It takes a special cow to live in the thin air and walk on rocks! The next critical element that must be understood is the relationship between mature cow size, feedlot finish weights, and fed cattle profitability. According to Tom Brink of Five Rivers Cattle Feeding group, the largest cattle feeder in the world, cattle with a finished carcass weight of approximately 850 lbs., have the greatest profitability potential. Steers finishing in that weight range tend to have better feed conversion and a lower cost of gain. Efficient gain is critical, especially in times of high feed prices. As finished carcass weights move up or down from this sweet spot, profit margins shrink due to less efficient gain. Furthermore, research conducted by Stephen Hammack at Texas A&M University suggests that mature weight of cows in moderate body condition score (BCS = 5) averages the same as that of equivalent frame score steers with 0.5 inches of back fat. 2 That means a mature cow in average condition will produce a finished steer near her same weight. A 1200 lb. cow will produce a 1200 lb. finished steer, a 1350 lb. cow will produce a 1350 lb. steer, and a 1500 lb. cow will produce a 1500

3 A bull that sires 20 head of the heavier-finishing steers each year has created $1,148 in additional progeny value versus another bull that sires the lighter-finishing steers. Tom Brink Five Rivers Cattle Feeding, LLC 1,350 lb. cow 1,350 lb. steer 850 lb. carcass = = = $ lb. finished steer. To identify which cow size will produce the ideal carcass size established by Five Rivers Feeders, we multiply cow size times the average dressing percentage of fed cattle, which usually runs around 63% lb. cow X.63 = 756 lb. carcass 1350 lb. cow X.63 = 850 lb. carcass 1500 lb. cow X.63 = 945 lb. carcass In doing so, we find that the 1350 lb. mature cow will produce steer calves that will finish at the most profitable carcass weight. Also, we can assume that a smaller cow size might produce inefficient steers with high costs of gain and a smaller carcass size, and a larger cow may produce overweight carcasses that could suffer severe discounts. As cattlemen, we need to consider all aspects of our business, including beef quality. We cannot claim to be holistic managers without taking end product qualities into consideration. Now that we know environment and profitability should influence the size of our cows, it is time to examine YOUR producer specific variables. For example, do you have a niche market for grass fed beef where your finished carcass weights don t need to be as big as industry average? If so, your mature cow size should vary to accommodate your specific needs. Or, perhaps you have some low cost feed or forage that allows you to support a bigger cow and wean more pounds of calf. These producer specific variables are potentially endless and will be factors that only you will know. Individually, we must use a sharp No. 2 pencil and determine what our sweet spot is. Try not to get caught up in the hype that a specific size of cow is the only size that is profitable. Your environment and beef product needs will set the parameters while your producer specific goals, advantages, or needs will narrow that to your ideal cow size. Lastly, I encourage you to check the weights of your cows and find out exactly where you are you may be surprised! I travel thousands of miles and study many cowherds, and I can tell 3 you that most cattlemen think they have a nice set of 1200 lb. cows. I have seen a lot of lb. cows that somehow always seem to weigh Just remember you ll miss your target 100% of the time if you don t know where to aim. We find that the 1,350 lb. mature cow will produce steer calves that will finish at the most profitable carcass weight.

4 Fall Sale Flying H Mr 054x PVF All Payday 729 X PVF-FB BF26 Black Joker ASA #: DOB: 5/01/2010 SimAngus BW.7/.23 WW 27.9/.22 YW 69.2/.21 MK 11/.14 MWW 25/.15 CW 5.7/.18 YG.12/.17 MB.28/.20 BF.07/.21 REA.24/.20 Shr -0.16/.03 API 96.0 TI 59.0 Over 75% are Homo Black!! Flying H New Design 6N 48X K C F Bennett 1407 N2 X Rito 6I6 of 4B AGA #: DOB: 2/27/2010 Balancer Black, Polled 5 Star Calving Ease CE 111/.01 BW -3.0/.35 WW 32/.29 YW 74/.19 MK 18/.13 TM 34 GL -1.1/.01 CD 103/.01 SC.0/I ST NA CW 10/I REA -0.05/I MB 0.23/I DtF 3.7/I CV $30.94 FM $18.36 Sires Represented: Dual Focus, Bases Loaded, Right On, Olie, Pacesetter, Power Pax, Boo Boo, G196, Granite 200P2, Legacy, Pay Day, Lucky Man, In Dew Time & More Stop by anytime to view bulls before the sale at our bull development & private treaty sales center just south of Clinton, MO right off of 13 Hwy. 4

5 Preview 3 Star Calving Ease Flying H Mr Boo 92X Boo Boo 155E X Flying H MSH Full Season AGA #: DOB: 1/26/2010 PB Gelbvieh Black, Polled CE 114/.26 BW -2.2/.35 WW 26/.30 YW 52/.25 MK 17/.20 TM 30 GL -2.0/.34 CD 107/.17 SC.3/.31 ST 8/I CW -2/.24 REA.08/.22 MB.17/.21 DtF 2.8/.21 CV $-0.33 FM $-5.92 Flying H 218X 718T X Mr Midnight 130C AGA #: DOB: 2/05/2010 PB Gelbvieh Black, Polled? CE 108/.19 BW -0.3/.33 WW 26/.23 YW 51/.17 MK 17/.10 TM 30 GL -1.3/.08 CD 103/.07 SC.7/.18 ST NA CW 8/.17 REA.22/.14 MB 0.09/.11 DtF 3.0/.11 CV $8.19 FM $ Star Calving Ease Flying H Thunder X41 Connealy Thunder X TNT On Target J94 ASA #: DOB: 3/15/2010 SimAngus Black, Polled BW -2.0/.36 WW 16.5/.31 YW 50.4/.21 MK 6.5/.20 MWW 14.8/.21 CW -9.3/.20 YG.13/.19 MB.30/.22 BF.04/.23 REA -0.17/.22 Shr API TI Star Calving Ease Flying H DuAl Focus X54 TNT Dual Focus T249 X NLC Payday 16P ASA #: DOB: 5/07/2010 SimAngus Black, Polled BW -4.3/.36 WW 34.6/.32 YW 66.2/.21 MK 1.1/.17 MWW 18.4/.17 CW -4.4/.20 YG.11/.18 MB.70/.21 BF.06/.22 REA.08/.20 Shr API TI 87.0

6 Flying H Bulls, Real World Tested Purebred Gelbvieh bull from Flying H Genetics Servicing Angus cross cows.... Cattlemen Approved! I have purchased several Grown On Grass bulls from Flying H over the past few years and have been very satisfied with their performance and durability. Their calves come easy and grow fast. I will definitely be back for more. Gilbert Voegeli, Russellville, MO We purchased two bulls this past spring from Flying H and turned both of them out with cows for 60 days. They held up awesome and are still in great shape! Donnohue Farms, Appleton City, MO Over the last couple years, I have purchased over a half dozen bulls from Flying H Genetics. I have been very satisfied with the calving ease and growth of my calves from these bulls. As a Missouri cattleman, I like how these bulls are developed on fescue and can maintain themselves through the breeding seasons without falling apart. Also, their customer service is top notch. I know that if I am in the middle of a breeding season and I have a problem with a bull or need a quick replacement, they will take care of me. Randy Steckly, Garden City, MO I have received nothing but 110% effort from Flying H Genetics bulls and services. I have bought close to a dozen bulls in the last two years and they are thick, gentle, and easy calving. Their customer service is excellent and they are always willing to help out and go the extra mile for me. Bohannon Farms, Holden, MO 6

7 Flying H Wish Maker 921W Fall 2010 Top Seller In Focus X Dream On L 186 Ho. Black, Ho. Polled ASA #: DOB: 8/25/09 SimAngus Owned with Stewart Family Farms BW -3.7/.26 WW 28.1/.28 YW 60.5/.30 MK 2.0/.23 MWW 16.0/.25 STAY na CW -6.5/.24 YG 0.07/.25 Marb 0.58/.27 BF 0.06/.36 REA 0.13/.26 Shr -0.37/.04 LACY FHG Legacy 6097 API TI 77.6 Flying H Bases Loaded Flying H Limited Edition 82U Make Mimi X Cherokee Canyon RA #: ID: 6097 DOB: 09/09/2006 PB Red Angus CED 8/39 BW -0.1/63 WW 38/56 YW 55/56 MK 15/35 TM 34 ME 2 HPG 8/13 CEM -3/35 STAY 12/18 Marb.20/30 YG -0.20/31 CW 32/45 REA.44/28 FAT -0.01/39 GW Lucky Man 644N X Bon View New Design 878 Ho. Black, Ho. Polled ASA #: DOB: 12/22/2007 SimAngus BW -0.6/.64 WW 40.7/.55 YW 88.4/.56 MK 6.2/.25 MWW 26.5/.27 STAY na CW 14.9/.45 YG.19/.29 Marb.53/.27 BF 0.05/.37 REA -0.03/.26 Shr -0.48/.13 API TI 77.9 OZZ Ideal Legacy X Governor GV #: DOB: 9/21/2008 Ho. Polled Red, Non-diluter PB Gelbvieh Look for sons out of these great young herd sires this fall & next spring!!! CE 109/.23 BW.2/.43 WW 39/.31 YW 79/.18 MK 24/.12 TM 44 GL -0.9/.24 CED 107/.08 SC.7/.14 STAY NA CW 12/I RE.20/I MB.14/I DtF 2.6/I CV $19.82 FM $17.16

8 SimAngus Simmental AnguS Gelbvieh Balancer 8 th Grown on Grass Bull Sale October 29, p.m. Joplin Stockyards No One Grows Em Tougher!! 80+ Bulls Sell month-old bulls 40+ yearling bulls FLYING H GENETICS Jared & Jill Wareham Missouri Regional Affiliate Cell: (417) jwareham@hughes.net Call, , TEXT or Facebook us your sale book or DVD request See pictures & additional details on pages 4 & 5