Issuu

The Virginia Cattleman

Volume 38 Number 11

Photo Taken by: Jennifer Matney At Matney Angus Farm in Cedar Bluff, VA

Circulation 8,000

The Virginia Cattleman P.O. Box 9 Daleville, VA 24083-0009

November 2016

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Daleville, VA 24083 Permit No. 8

Opportunities

PAGE 2, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

By: Jason Carter 2016 has been an amazing year in many respects for both the cattle market certainly but also for those in the business of trying to predict the movement of cattle prices based on hundreds of influencing variables ranging from retail demand, to export demand, to energy prices to inflation. 2016 has also been an amazing year in respect to our Presidential election, which at the time I write this, is unsettled and very well may be after November 8th. I don’t expect any “hanging chads” like in the Bush versus Gore race, however it isn’t far flung to imagine law suits and tampering accusations leading to prolonged uncertainty. After all one of the candidates has skirted criminal accountability for some time now and the other believes whole heartedly in the power of using the courts to handle obstacles. So where am I going with this? Well in the good old days that all of us tend to reach back for in our minds, there was someone or somewhere we could turn for advice and refuge when we found ourselves treading in

uncharted waters. In my youth I was fortunate to grow up with grandparents whose many talents included providing a little advice in the form of a long story. As an adult, I am also very fortunate to have a close friend that provides me wisdom, not as long stories with a nugget of advice inside, but as simply knowing what to say when I need to hear it. My grandparents and my closest friend were and are irreplaceable resources. So in our world of commodities today, where can you turn for advice and insight? Unfortunately in 2016, even the best of economists and shop talk among old folks and friends has not predicted a course for this downward spiral of agricultural commodities. Despite this dismal truth, there are certain things that bear discussing as important to the cattle market and will always have influence on our business. Commodity price cycles tend to be prolonged. As a student at Virginia Tech I was shown step graphs that illustrated incremental prince increases over time and these steps were made across decades. The

WHAT’S INSIDE PAGE 8 - CATTLE MARKETS HAVE MANY MOVING PARTS. PAGE 9 - TIPS ON BULL SELECTION PAGE 12 - FOUR INDUCTED INTO VIRGINIA LIVESTOCK HALL OF FAME. PAGE 14 - FEEDING NEWLY WEANED CALVES PAGE 17 - AGRICULTURE MEDIATION AVAILABLE IN VIRGINIA PAGE 31- THIN COWS COST YOU MONEY

unprecedented movement upward of cereal and oil seeds in the early 2000s followed by the dramatic increase in the value of proteins in the early 2010s wasn’t sustainable or typical of a cycle. Despite that, if cycles tend to last over 8 – 10 years, then we likely still have another 2 – 3 years of stability closer to where we are now than anything close to 2014. Growth in exports in absolutely critical. Despite our beef production efficiencies and pandering to the millennials, demand for our beef is going to be somewhat dependent on added value through exports of beef, hides and offal. The respective strength of world economies to our own influences this dramatically but also our attitudes about trade hold the keys to opportunity. American agriculture needs trade of our commodities to prosper and garner deserved value. Unilateral trade agreements are near term

solutions for long term demand and markets. It has been remarkably unfortunate that the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement has been treated so callously by both out Congress and our Presidential candidates. Until comprehensive trade agreements are seriously entertained by Congress, agriculture will continue to have added pressures for limiting production despite the demand for our products. It has been difficult to grasp the trend of agricultural commodities over the past 15 years given that there have been increasing non-fundamental influencers and knee jerk reaction for price. The paper tiger of the ethanol mandate driving corn to $8/bushel, the severe drought of the Great Plains creating beef supply concerns while rightfully shrinking packing capacity and an all-time shortage of long position speculation in the futures markets have

contributed to anarchy in the commodities markets. With time comes perspective and hopefully healing. Indeed in time our markets will stabilize and the need for guarding the balance sheets in times of prosperity will continue and the opportunities for expansion will accompany times of market risk. Managed growth is a tried and true ingredient for farming success. It weathers high interest rates, down prices, opens the doors for new technologies and herd expansion. Sustainability is managing growth plain and simple. There is little reason to see the market change much in the short, medium and longer term but there is historical precedence that it will change. This generation has made sustainability a complicated and political term. Most of us know however that sustainability remains managing growth for a future.

VIRGINIA CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION Sponsored Graded Sales Schedule Check our Website at www.vacattlemen.org for updates CONTACT LIVESTOCK MARKETS OR VCA STAFF FOR QUESTIONS VCA 540-‐992-‐1009 BUTCH FOSTER 423-‐360-‐0434 TROY LAWSON 540-‐430-‐0042 NOVEMBER 2016 Radiant 11/1/16 10:30 AM FEEDERS Virginia Cattle Company 540-‐622-‐4889 Front Royal 11/1/16 7:30 PM FEEDERS Virginia Livestock LLC 540-‐622-‐7752 Harrisonburg 11/3/16 7:00 PM FEEDERS Rockingham Livestock Sales 540-‐490-‐9050 Radiant 11/8/16 10:30 AM FEEDERS Virginia Cattle Company 540-‐622-‐4889 Harrisonburg 11/10/16 7:00 PM FEEDERS Rockingham Livestock Sales 540-‐490-‐9050 Tel-‐O-‐Auction 11/14/16 6:00 PM FEEDERS Virginia Cattlemen's Association 540-‐992-‐1009 Radiant 11/15/16 10:30 AM FEEDERS Virginia Cattle Company 540-‐622-‐4889 Front Royal 11/15/16 7:30 PM FEEDERS Virginia Livestock LLC 540-‐622-‐7752 Tel-‐O-‐Auction 11/28/16 6:00 PM FEEDERS Virginia Cattlemen's Association 540-‐992-‐1009 Radiant 11/29/16 10:30 AM FEEDERS Virginia Cattle Company 540-‐622-‐4889

THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 3

KCF Bennett Fortress

KCF Bennett Consent Y75

KCF Bennett Homestead

KCF Bennett Absolute

KCF Bennett TheRock A473

KCF Bennett Encore Z311

KCF Bennett Southside

Featuring

KCF Bennett Revolution X51

170 Bulls Angus H Polled Herefords H H Balancers H Gelbviehs H Baldies H H

KCF Bennett Y6

KCF Bennett Y504

Elite Genetics From Three Breeds With The Industry’s Best Guarantee

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James D. Bennett (434) 376-7299

Jim G. Bennett (434) 664-7935

Paul S. Bennett (434) 941-8245

Brian R. Bennett (434) 664-8309

Dalton G. Bennett (434) 664-7946

Scott R. Bennett (434) 660-7268

FRIDAY DECEMBER 17659 Red House Road • Red House, Virginia 23963 Martha Johnson, Office Manager (434) 376-3567 • Fax (434) 376-7008 knollcrest@knollcrestfarm.com • www.knollcrestfarm.com

2, 2016

Sale book available upon request.

Serving the beef industry since 1944!

ANGUS Sale Bulls Average:

ANGUS SIRES:

KCF Bennett Fortress KCF Bennett Consent Y75 KCF Bennett TheRock A473 KCF Bennett Absolute KCF Bennett Southside KCF Bennett Homestead Fintry of Graham 48708 Connealy Beef Bank AAR Ten X 7008SA Barstow Cash Deer Valley All In Connealy Courage 25L

DOC

+21

Brad Fahrmeier 816.392.9241 POLLED HEREFORD Sale Bulls Average:

+0.1

MARB

+0.67

+64

REA

+0.75

CED

+112

+68.12

+4.5

+29

+130.06

+1.8

REA

MILK

+69

MARB

+109

MILK

+28

KCF Bennett Statesman EXAR Denver 2002B Connealy Black Granite

BMI INDEX CHB INDEX

+1.4 +0.71 +0.40 +$28 +$41

POLLED HEREFORD SIRES: KCF Bennett Encore Z311 KCF Bennett Revolution X51 NJW 73S W18 Hometown 10Y Churchill Red Bull 200Z EFBEEF TFL U208 Tested X651 Hyalite On Target 936 RST 0124 Times A Wastin 2107 NJW 73S M326 Trust 100W

BALANCER Sale Bulls Average: CE

+13

MILK

+29 +0.60

-1.0

REA

+75

MARB

+0.43

+119

FPI INDEX

+87.31

GELBVIEH Sale Bulls Average:

BALANCER SIRES:

KCF Bennett Y6 KCF Bennett Y504 KCF Bennett U556 Connealy Contrast KCF Bennett Absolute KCF Bennett Homestead GW Premium Beef 021TS

+34 GELBVIEH SIRES: +0.67 KCF Bennett X593

MILK

+0.2

REA

+75

MARB

-0.25

+119

FPI INDEX

+73.02

KHR 33A

PAGE 4, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN The Virginia Cattlemen’s Association Affiliated with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc. P.O. BOX 9 Daleville, Va 24083-0009 www.vacattlemen.org The Virginia Cattlemen Phone: 540-992-1009 Fax: 540-992-4632 jdavis@vacattlemen.org Published monthly by the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association Jason Carter……….Stuarts Draft Executive Secretary Butch Foster……….Bristol Field Manager Troy Lawson……….Churchville Field Manager FEEDER COUNCIL Glenn Wheeler……….Atkins Region 1 Chuck Miller……….Crockett Region 2 Joe Meek……….Dublin Region 3 Forrest Ashby……….Staunton Region 4 Rick Matthews……….Browntown Region 5 Steve Hopkins……….Lousia Region 6 Tom Nixon……….Rapidan Region 6 Brett Stratton……….Evergreen Region 7 Andy Smith……….Rosedale Director at Large POLICY & INDUSTRY ADVOCACY BOARD Gene Copenhaver……….Meadowview District 1 Joey Davenport……….Glade Spring District 1 George Stovall……….Stuart District 2 OPEN SEAT District 2 Bill Tucker……….Amherst District 3 Jon Repair……….Glasgow District 3 Jared Burner……….Luray District 4 Allen Heishman……….Edinburg District 4 John Goodwin……….Orange District 5 James Kean……….Lousia District 5 Jay Calhoun……….Callands District 6 Mike Henry……….Chesterfield District 6 Editor……………Jason Carter jcarter@vacattlemen.org Publications Coordinator…Jacquelynn Davis jdavis@vacattlemen.org Issued the first week of every month. Copy deadline the 15th Of previous month. The Virginia Cattleman is sent to members of the Virginia Cattlemen’s Association. Annual dues are $50/year or Participation in the Association’s Feeder Cattle Marketing Program Complimentary copies are sent to various Supporters of the Virginia Cattle Industry. A Member of: (LPC) Livestock Publications Council

September 23, 2016

Weekly Sales Report

State Graded Feeder Steers, Medium and Large 1 400-500 lbs 80.00-144.00, mostly 126.00-144.00, average 138.94 500-600 lbs 110.00-150.50, mostly 120.00-150.50, average 131.92 600-700 lbs 100.00-143.25, mostly 100.00-135.00, average 121.96 700-800 lbs 91.00-117.00, mostly 111.00-117.00, average 113.24 State Graded Feeder Heifers, Medium and Large 1 400-500 lbs 87.50-121.50, mostly 101.00-121.50, average 115.69 500-600 lbs 51.00-127.00, mostly 90.00-127.00, average 110.36 600-700 lbs 55.00-123.00, mostly 92.00-123.00, average 107.56 700-800 lbs 84.00-113.50, mostly 100.00-113.50, average 106.33 Slaughter Cows Boning, 800-1200 lbs, 46.00-67.50, average 57.36

400-500 lbs 111.00-144.00, mostly 133.50-144.00, average 136.36

500-600 lbs 86.00-126.00, mostly 113.00-126.00, average 119.59

500-600 lbs 102.00-149.50, mostly 125.00-137.00, average 129.82

600-700 lbs 90.00-120.00, mostly 95.00-120.00, average 109.09

600-700 lbs 109.00-135.00, mostly 119.00-135.00, average 121.65

700-800 lbs 89.00-123.00, mostly 101.00-123.00, average 114.26

700-800 lbs 99.00-136.50, mostly 116.00-136.50, average 119.25

State Graded Feeder Heifers, Medium and Large 1

State Graded Feeder Heifers, Medium and Large 1 400-500 lbs 61.00-121.00, mostly 108.00-117.50, average 112.88 500-600 lbs 79.00-119.00, mostly 104.00-119.00, average 106.82 600-700 lbs 81.00-115.00, mostly 99.50-115.00, average 105.17 700-800 lbs 80.00-112.50, mostly 93.50-112.50, average 100.77 Slaughter Cows Boning, 800-1200 lbs, 45.00-68.00, average 54.93

400-500 lbs 92.00-127.00, mostly 100.00-112.00, average 108.98 500-600 lbs 87.00-119.00, average 101.77 600-700 lbs 87.00-117.00, mostly 87.00-107.00, average 97.85 700-800 lbs 83.00-105.00, mostly 87.00-105.00, average 95.58 Slaughter Cows Boning, 800-1200 lbs, 36.00-62.50, average 49.15 Breakers, 1200-1600 lbs, 48.00-65.00, average 55.07 October 21, 2016

Breakers, 1200-1600 lbs, 50.00-68.50, average 59.11

State Graded Feeder Steers, Medium and Large 1

October 7, 2016

Breakers, 1200-1600 lbs, 52.00-68.00, average 61.08

State Graded Feeder Steers, Medium and Large 1

400-500 lbs 82.00129.00, mostly 111.00-129.00, average 121.82

September 30, 2016

400-500 lbs 100.00-140.00, mostly 120.00-140.00, average 131.01

500-600 lbs 71.00122.00, mostly 106.00-119.00,

State Graded Feeder Steers, Medium and Large 1

average 112.32 600-700 lbs 80.00-129.00, mostly 94.00-117.50, average 108.91 700-800 lbs 83.00-122.00, mostly 104.00-117.25, average 108.62 State Graded Feeder Heifers, Medium and Large 1 400-500 lbs 71.00-110.00, mostly 95.50-110.00, average 98.25 500-600 lbs 82.50-103.25, mostly 86.00-99.00, average 93.04 600-700 lbs 72.00-110.00, mostly 90.00-102.75, average 93.86 700-800 lbs 78.00-118.50, mostly 91.00-106.25, average 100.39 Slaughter Cows Boning, 800-1200 lbs, 37.00-59.00, average 50.78 Breakers, 1200-1600 lbs, 42.00-66.50, average 55.26

THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 5

PAGE 6, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

Ginger Hill Real World Premium Angus Bull & Female Sale Noon (EST) * Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Culpeper Agricultural Enterprises, Culpeper, VA SELLING: 40 Fall Yearling Angus Bulls 30 Fall Angus Cow/Calf Pairs

COLE CREEK BLACK BORE 572

Ginger Hill Senior Herd Sire. Featuring his progeny CED BW WW YW MILK +5 +2.2 +47 +95 +25

GINGER HILL DAWN 072 - She Sells CED BW WW YW MILK +6 +.7 +42 +83 +27 Sire: Ginger Hill Duke 501

GINGER HILL COOL 527 – He sells. CED BW WW YW MILK +15 -2.1 +46 +86 +25 Sire: Ginger Hill Cool 203

GINGER HILL BLACK BORE 544 – He sells. CED BW WW YW MILK +7 +1.2 +40 +76 +30 Sire: Cole Creek Black Bore 572

REFERENCE SIRES: Cole Creek Black Bore 572, Cole Creek Bull Barrel 1353, Ginger Hill Treasure 233, Ginger Hill COOL 203, Ginger Hill Tequila 305, Cole Creek Black Cedar 1100

GINGER HILL COOL 517 CED BW WW YW MILK +8 +1.1 +50 +91 +23 Sire: Ginger Hill COOL 203

GINGER HILL BULL BARREL 501 CED BW WW YW MILK +12 -1.6 +45 +85 +22 Sire: Cole Creek Bull Barrel 1353

GINGER HILL TREASURE 505 CED BW WW YW MILK +16 -1.6 +41 +76 +25 Sire: Ginger Hill Treasure 233

FERTILITY * CALVING-EASE * MATERNAL * MUSCLE Raising Angus the commercial way since 1956. Ginger Hill cows get only fescue grass and fescue hay through the winter – no corn, no silage, no protein tubs and no creep feeders. Conception rate of 98% in the first 60 days of 2015 breeding season. The bulls were developed on grass and hand fed a ration with fertility and longevity in mind, not fattened. They are docile, virile, sound footed and offer outcross genetics for the majority of the industry.

GINGER HILL ANGUS

Washington, VA Brooke Miller (540) 522-8363 Hodge Miller (540) 272-4967

Request a Sale Book @ GingerHillAngus.com or by calling (540) 522-8363 Sale Managed by American Angus Hall of Fame, (816) 532-0811, angushall@earthlink.net

EPDs as of 9/26/2016

Southwest Cattlemen’s Classic

THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 7

MULTI BREED SELECTION

Simmental, SimAngus TM, Angus, Gelbvieh and Balancer. Selling 90 Lots November 19, 2016 50 Breeding age Bulls (All Bulls Sale BSE Test12:00 PM NOON ed and SEMEN Tested. Ready to go to Work. (Lunch served: starting at 11:00 AM) 40 Females - Open Heifers, Bred Heifers and Location: Former Umberger Sale Cow - Calf Pairs. Facility, Wytheville, VA

PCC Witten - Senior Angus Herd Sire

Senior Herd Sire, Co-Owned with Lawson Angus

Post Rock Granite 200P2 6 Sons will be in the sale. #1 Gelbveih bull for the past 5 years.

“#1 Simmental registration bull last 3 years Heavy influence in this year’s calves

W L

S A V Fresh Start 5077

Numerous Sons & Daughters in the sale.

QUALITY GELBVIEH,

Doug Hughes Little Windy Hill Farm Little Windy Hill 276-620-4271 - lwhf@wiredog.com Farms Doug & Sue Hughes

Mr NLC Upgrade U8676

Smith Reasor Reasor Simmentals 276-620-3123 - skrlkr@embarqmail.com

PAGE 8, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

Cattle Markets Have Many Moving Parts

Troy Applehans, Cattle Fax

What a tremendous variance in emotion, perspective and market psychology on behalf of cattle producers and especially cow-calf operators over the past two years from the two years preceding. Cowcalf producers have endured the bulk of the decline in margin, at the same time they had the most margin to lose. Think of it this way, there’s only so much margin per animal and each segment (i.e. cow-calf, stocker, feedyard, packer, retailer) is attempting to get the highest percentage of the pie. As the accompanying chart indicates, cow-calf producers have been the biggest benefactor with regard to margin per animal to the detriment of other segments, namely feedyard and stocker operators. At some point there is a “redistribution of margin” due to the non-profitable segments simply having to pay less and buy margin in order to remain in business. Leverage transfers to another segment. This is what the cow-calf sector has endured the past couple of years, and potentially will continue to undergo for several more. Background The bull market of 2013 and 2014 were years that producers never experienced with regard to profitability and upward price trajectory. Now, after back to back bear market years of 2015 and so far in 2016, just the opposite is true. The market swiftly moved into uncharted territory to the high side, followed by the most rapid percentage price decline in history, all in a relatively short period of time. The quick trip down got the market to levels most would not have anticipated would occur until 2018 or early 2019. Discussion What entirely is responsible for the market downfall is not easily quantified, because it’s not one, two or even ten

easily identifiable items that can be pinpointed. There are an incredible number of moving parts that impact commodity markets in general. Supply and demand are primary components of commodity prices, but so are a multitude of other items such as imports, exports, competition, global and domestic economies, politics, weather, currencies, investment funds, etc. just to name a few. But, the underlying reality of the situation is that fall delivered calf values in 2016, for the most part, are running over $100/cwt below where they were in 2015, and close to $150/cwt lower than the peak in late 2014.

Presently a large component abundant supplies of lower consumer. At some point the impacting cattle markets are priced alternative proteins. competing proteins can lose the burdensome supplies of the incentive to produce more competing proteins. Total So, how do cattle producers and limit protein production meat production is simply regain leverage and begin to – pork and poultry producers larger than domestic and see higher values? Simply put, have the ability to significantly current exportable consumption it’s going to take time. The increase or decrease production at the present time. Pork pure vastness of the challenges rapidly. There are a multitude and poultry producers, at this for cattle producers don’t heal of ways the cattle market can point, have little incentive to overnight. Now obviously, increase, but looking for curb production since most are if China were to open and something to wave the magic at a breakeven to profitable accept imports of U.S. beef, wand is risky to bet on. And regarding returns. Cattle something of that nature is an hoping the market will go numbers, after rapid expansion, immediate gamechanger. higher is simply not a good will also continue to grow for Significantly increasing not strategy. the next several years. Cattle only beef, but total meat exports packing plant utilization rates can be a tremendous help, but Conclusion are extremely high, giving the the global economy has to The odds are that this cattle packing segment of production be able to support the increase cycle will have to play itself tremendous leverage over and currency values be more out just like the previous cycles segments below them. Retailers advantageous to exporting before it. The accompanying remain profitable on beef countries. Packer and retailer chart illustrates that earlier due to continued high beef margins can decrease, yet they cycles historically lasted 10Commodity prices at some prices for consumers, as well can remain profitable in order 12 years, either from a high to Continued on Page 10. point move towards the as plenty of options regarding to move more product to the “average” cost of production. Recent examples of this are the grain and crude oil markets. Often times what happens is high cost and/or low return producers are the first to lose money, next the most inefficient of average producers begin to lose money. In the case of cow-calf producers, history has shown that many of them are willing to endure losses on two consecutive calf crops before beginning to liquidate cow inventories Saturday, November 26TH at 12 NOON due to lack of profit. This is how cattle and commodity Washington County Fairgrounds, Abingdon, VA cycles work. Expansion occurs due to profitability, which is most often the result of low SELLING 75 SPRING BRED inventories. Enough expansion results in lower prices, due PREMIUM ASSURED HEIFERS to larger supplies. At some point when prices decline to the point average producers Contact: are losing equity, liquidation begins to occur. Yet in the case Smith Reasor of cattle, prices are slow to Auctioneer & Sale Manager respond due to the additional tonnage of product as a result of Phone: 276-620-3123 increased cow slaughter. This is supply fundamentals in its simplest form. What is clearly Scott County Extension Office more difficult to measure and take into account is demand. Phone: 276-452-2772 And what is not possible to quantify are all the other moving parts and variables of Visit: scottcountycattle.weebly.com to view catalog markets mentioned earlier.

SCOTT COUNTY CATTLEMEN’S ASSOCIATION, INC.

12TH ANNUAL VIRGINIA PREMIUM ASSURED BRED HEIFER SALE

THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 9

Burke Teichert’s top 5 tips on bull selection Bull selection can result in rapid change. However, change may not always result in progress or improvement. In fact, I will suggest that a lot of our socalled “improvement” in cattle growth rates has been more than offset by reductions in stocking rates, conception rates and herd health. The result has been more time spent doctoring cattle, lower conception rates and/or higher feed bills, and fewer pounds produced per acre. Because the calves that are produced are bigger, they bring less per pound. Therefore, we now sell fewer pounds per acre at a lower price per pound. We are now seeing research on this. In only one case have I seen calf weaning weights higher as cow size decreases. Usually calf weights decrease as cow size decreases, but not proportionally. So, when stocking rates are adjusted to fit cow size, enough more cows can be run that, in spite of lighter calves, more pounds are weaned per acre. On many ranches, the number one determinant of profit is the ratio of grazed feed to fed feed. Once you have gotten over doing a lot of feeding, stocking rate becomes the number one determinant of profit; and stocking rate is determined by cow size and milking ability along with grazing and pasture management. Next comes herd fertility. Then, in a group, come marketing, cows per person ratio and herd health problems. Therefore, let’s take all of that into consideration as we make bull selections. Here are five tips: 1.Cull the right cow: Why would I want to buy a bull born to a cow that I would have culled at my ranch? Go through your cull criteria and ask if the mother of “that” bull would still be in your herd. I firmly believe that, if you have reduced feeding to the bare minimum, have selected good, moderatesized bulls and have culled cows as I described last month, you have some very good cows. Those are the kind of cows that should be mothers of bulls.

2.Size and milking ability: If you want cows that can graze most of the year and get pregnant early in the breeding season, and if you want to wean more pounds per acre by running more smaller cows with less milking ability, you will want to select bulls with less mature size and lower milk EPDs. I’m sure there is room for some difference of opinion here, but to maximize pounds produced per acre and at the same time keep supplemental feed cost at a minimum, I want cows to be as small as they can be and still produce a feeder calf that will be acceptable at the market place. I know the feeder and packer seem to want them bigger and bigger. But you need to stay in business first. There is information indicating that producers are using bulls with higher and higher EPDs for milk and for weaning and yearling weight. But actual weaning weights on the ranches have not changed in recent years. However, cow size has. If your attempts to produce bigger and bigger calves are robbing you of conception rate and good herd health, are costing you more in feed cost and supplementation and reducing your stocking rate, you should reconsider your breeding priorities. 3.Heterosis: Carcass traits are quite highly heritable. Growth traits are moderately heritable. Milk is less heritable and fertility, health and longevity are considered to be the least heritable. But, because carcass traits are highly heritable, they don’t respond much to heterosis while other traits do. The rest of the traits respond, with the more highly heritable having a smaller response and the less heritable having a greater response to heterosis. Optimum heterosis is most likely different for each situation, but I want a significant level of heterosis in every cow. Heterosis will significantly enhance fertility and health while slightly increasing milk and growth. You can’t expect selection to do what

heterosis does nor vice versa. Parenthetically, I think that some aspects of fertility—first cycle conception as a yearling and calving interval—are more highly heritable than heritability estimates would suggest. 4. Disposition: As an industry, we have made great progress across many breeds on disposition. I think every bull should be carefully scrutinized for disposition. It is refreshing and encouraging to see herds of cows in breeds with reputations of poor disposition that have wonderful dispositions. 5.Growth and carcass: Improving growth rates and carcass traits is desirable as long as the negative consequences don’t overbalance the positives. When you make sure that

the bulls you purchase will produce the kinds of cows you want, you then need to move carefully and cautiously to get the desired results without undoing much of the good you have accomplished. I think it can be done, but carefully and slowly. Genomics and heterosis, if they can become compatible, could help move growth and carcass forward faster without undoing progress in the other traits. Currently, a number of genomic tests only validate in high percentage Angus cattle. When those tests are valid across a number of breeds and crosses, much progress could be made. Perhaps the best breeding decision a commercial producer will ever make is the

choice of a seedstock provider. Find someone whose breeding objectives mirror your own, who operates in an environment similar to yours, who can help you benefit from heterosis and can understand your objectives and help you select the right bull.

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PAGE 10, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

From Page 8 - Cattle Markets.

history repeats itself, the 2014 high in cattle prices would indicate a possible low 5 to 6 years down the road. That’s a long time and certainly doesn’t mean you can’t be profitable during down cycle years, just less profitable. Is this a quicker cycle? Possibly, especially considering how quickly the market decline has been. Is

the bulk of the decline behind us? That would make sense, but doesn’t mean there still isn’t risk for lower prices going forward. Managing risk and equity preservation become that much more important for cattlemen going forward. Manage your risk…Don’t be great at what you do and have the market take you out!

For Sale 20 Angus heifers to calve at 30 months from Feb.15 thru Mar.30

Moderate,easy fleshing,--bred many years for maternal efficiency $1500 firm Tim Neale (540) 672--6440.

SMITH REASOR Auctioneer

Reasor Simmentals 276-620-3123 skrlkr@embarqmail.com

Calendar of Events 11/5 VA Tech Surplus Property Auction, Blacksburg 11/5 VA Charolais Assoc Fall sale, VT Blacksburg 11/19 Southwest Cattlemen’s Classic sale, Wytheville 11/26 Scott County Premium Assured Bred Heifer sale, Abingdon 12/3 SWVAA “SW VA’s Finest” Angus sale, Abingdon 12/10 Culpeper BCIA bull sale

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THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 11

USDA says it will advance GIPSA rule changes

Jacqui Fatka, Feedstuffs

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has decided to send an interim final Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) rule to the White House Office of Management & Budget. The “GIPSA rule,” which had been stalled in recent years through congressional riders, has been widely controversial and generated concerns from many livestock groups. The proposed rules address the poultry tournament payment system and issues of undue preference, while the interim final rule clarifies that farmers need only prove they were treated unfairly by a company to secure legal remedy. Currently, farmers are required to prove not only harm to themselves and their businesses but also that the result of the harm affected competition industry-wide. The interim final rule will clarify and underscore the plain language of the Packers & Stockyards Act, which requires no proof of harm to competition from a complainant. In a letter regarding the interim final rule, Vilsack said, “Given the significant level of interest in this provision, and in the interests of an open and transparent government, the agency will provide an additional opportunity for public comment. USDA will consider all comments received and intends to publish a document that will include a discussion of any comments and whether any amendments will be made to the rule.” Major livestock groups — including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assn., North American Meat Institute, National Pork Producers Council and National Chicken Council — have been opposed to advancing the GIPSA rule, saying it limits producers’ marketing options while adding layers of bureaucracy and opening the door to litigation. New markets have emerged, and there is enhanced competition for sourcing livestock for slaughter. USDA noted that

marketing arrangements will be excluded from these rules. However, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Assn. (NCBA) said these provisions are outweighed by the competitive injury provisions of the GIPSA rule that do not require a showing of injury in order to claim a violation of the Packers & Stockyards Act. “We know that regulation and legislation always come with unintended consequences,” NCBA president Tracy Brunner said. “We don’t see any changes that could be made to the competitive injury and undue preference provisions that wouldn’t diminish marketing opportunities for producers. The fact is that value-added programs have supported higher prices and premiums

for producers, even when markets are weak. The GIPSA rules would jeopardize the future of these programs and add litigation costs. Absent a required showing of economic harm to claim preference, these rules disregard a central tenant of our legal system and set out a regulatory framework for harassment based solely on the subjective appearance of preference.” In developing the rules, GIPSA looked extensively at past comments and worked closely with the USDA Office of the Chief Economist to consider any economic impacts. Vilsack did say USDA is considering excluding several provisions that were proposed in 2010 from the current rule-making in order to “improve the

regulation and reduce overall burden.” These provisions include: applicability to livestock production and marketing contracts, including formula and forward contracts; the requirement that packers, swine contractors or live poultry dealers maintain written records that provide justification for differential pricing or any deviation from standard price or contract terms; the requirement that packers refrain from entering into exclusive agreements with livestock dealers; prohibiting packers from purchasing livestock from other packers, and requirements that packers and live poultry dealers submit sample contracts to GIPSA for posting to the public. NCBA took stabs at the Administration,

saying their members were engaged with USDA even while the implementation of the rules was defunded and that the latest rule advancement shows disregard for producer input. NCBA said, “USDA’s opportunity for future comment is a hollow offer when they should have engaged with the industry before moving forward.” The National Farmers Union (NFU) welcomed the move to finalize the rule. Earlier this year, NFU said it was appalled by the House Appropriations Committee’s attempt to stall the progress USDA had made by adding a rider into the fiscal 2017 budget bill that would block final implementation of the rules. While the Senate Continued on Page 12.

v Selling 25 Performance Tested i50k Profiled Bulls. Eight bulls are coming twos; remainder long yearlings. Sires represented: Ten X, Traction, Early Bird, Discovery, Consensus, All In, Advance, Progress, Ingenuity, Prophet, Black Granite, & Generation v Also selling 20 Angus females and one elite donor/embryo package v Educational Speaker: Kelli Retallick, Genetic Service Director, American Angus Association, “Breeding Cattle in a Genomic Era” at 10:30am v More details on individual bulls at website: www.millergustinangus.com Sale Managed by: Tom Templeton (540) 421-8341 Miller Farm LLC Craig Miller (540) 820-9818 cnkcfarm@comcast.net

Gustin Land & Cattle Jerry Gustin (804) 654-4135 gustinlandandcattle@verizon.net

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PAGE 12, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

Four inducted into Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame

Four distinguished industry leaders were inducted into the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame at 10 a.m., on September 24, 2016 at the Alphin-Stuart Livestock Teaching Arena on Virginia Tech’s campus in front of family, friends and industry representatives. The ceremony featured the unveiling of the honorees’ portraits, which will hang in the arena gallery alongside those of 55 other prominent industry leaders who have been recognized for their contributions to the Virginia livestock industry. This year’s inductees are: Dwight E. Houff, of Mount Sidney, Virginia, a 1961 Virginia Tech alumnus, who excelled as a breeder of Angus, Hereford, and Gelbvieh cattle and served in many leadership and service roles in Virginia’s beef industry. He was recognized as Virginia Cattleman of the Year in 1993 and was named Virginia Seedstock Producer in 2002. His leadership in church, business, and community affairs is equally noteworthy. Robert W. Manly, of Waverly, Virginia, who orchestrated the development of the vertically integrated pork strategy in the state. It was his vision that led

From Page 11 USDA GIPSA

Appropriations Committee did not include the provision in its own spending bill, NFU president Roger Johnson explained that NFU will be closely monitoring the development of the appropriations omnibus bill. “Last year, Congress made the right decision to eliminate the GIPSA provision from the final budget bill, supporting family livestock and poultry farmers who have long waited for the protections of these rules. We urge Congress to take the same action this year and keep the GIPSA rider out of the omnibus bill,” Johnson concluded.

to the development of swine production operations, feed milling operations, and the successful expansion of packing operations in Smithfield, Virginia. The employees, local businesses, farmers, and the communities in which Smithfield Foods operate in Virginia and elsewhere are grateful for his contributions to the pork industry. Richard G. Saacke, of Blacksburg, Virginia, a Virginia Tech professor emeritus of dairy science, was an enthusiastic contributor to the Virginia, national, and international livestock communities through his research, graduate and undergraduate teaching, and extension efforts. He served

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THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 13

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As spring beef calves are beginning to be weaned, it is the producer’s responsibility to help make that transition as smooth as possible. Improper weaning can result in poor growth, which may stay with the animal through its life, according to Kansas State University animal scientist Justin Waggoner. “I break down the weaning process into three stresses the calf is dealing with,” said Waggoner, a beef systems specialist with Kansas State Research & Extension. The first and most obvious is maternal separation; the second is moving to a new environment and social structure, and the third is the need for a calf to become accustomed to new and unfamiliar feedstuffs as it is transitioned from a diet of grass and milk to a total mixed ration or starter pellet in a

Feeding Newly Weaned Calves

different environment. Waggoner provided the following tips to help ease the transition: · Many calves are raised in a grassland environment. Getting them adjusted to a feed bunk is one of the most important things a producer can do in the weaning process. If the calves do not eat properly, there’s an increased risk of disease. · Feeding both cows and calves a small amount of a supplement or the weaning ration out of a bunk prior to weaning when the calves are still with the cows can be a good way to acclimate the calves to those feeds. The cows may consume most of the feed, but the calves are there too, getting exposed to the bunk.

From Page 12. - Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame.

as a professor of reproductive physiology during his 44-year professional career, with 36 of those years at Virginia Tech. He continues to provide guidance to students and the livestock industry. Max James Tappero (19292003,) of Lynchburg, Virginia, influenced Virginia’s horse industry as a horseman and an ambassador who established and enhanced the horse as a major contributor to Virginia agriculture. He galvanized the commonwealth’s horse industry by bringing stakeholders together to ensure a solid foundation for the equine industry. In 2014, he was inducted into the Virginia

Horse Show Association Hall of Fame. Established in 2009, the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame bestows honor and recognition on outstanding Virginians who have made significant contributions to the state’s livestock industry and its people. The Virginia Cattlemen’s Association, Virginia Pork Council, Virginia Sheep Producers Association, Virginia State Dairymen’s Association, and the Virginia Horse Council have the opportunity to nominate living or deceased individuals to the Virginia Livestock Hall of Fame. SEE PHOTOS ON PAGE 41.

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A study at the Kansas State Agricultural Research Center in Hays, Kan., showed that when calves had exposure to a feed bunk, either through a dry lot or pasture method, a higher percentage of them approached and ate from the bunk in the critical first week of weaning compared to calves that had never been exposed to a feed bunk before, Waggoner said. “The results tell us previous exposure to the feed bunk really matters,” he added. “This is especially important as newly weaned calves are brought into a typical feedlot environment or even a set of pens. Just that adjustment can help in making that successful transition from being at their mother’s side to being in a

different environment.” Weanlings are often used to feedstuffs such as grass and hay, which are not rich in nutrients, so producers must find a way to balance the familiar feedstuff with new, nutrient-rich feeds. The dry matter intake of calves is often about 1% of their bodyweight, Waggoner said. The Hays protocol suggests that producers offer the calf 0.5% of its bodyweight of concentrate-based, 75-85% total digestible nutrients (TDN) ration while trying to limit silage and other familiar feeds. So, the calf is offered half of its expected intake as a weaning ration or pellet and the other half as good-quality grass hay. Also included in the process:

· Positioning the feed is as important as the feed itself. Put the hay the calves are most familiar with on top of the feed ration on the first day. · The ration should be increased to around 0.7% of bodyweight on the second day, but keep the hay the same. Put the hay on top of the ration. · On the third or fourth day, increase the amount of feed, but not the hay. This time, put the ration on top of the hay. · On days 7-10 of weaning, the goal is to have a calf eating 2.0-2.2% of its bodyweight — maybe even 2.5%. Continued on Page 17.

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By Steve Lucas

A DIRT ROAD DIARY

An old Cowboy Gives Thanks

“I got it ropin’ this big steer; the rope burned through my glove.

They gathered around the table for the Thanksgiving meal.

It reminds me that I’ve got a job, and it’s doin’ what I love.

The host politely requested that everyone reveal

I’m thankful ‘cause I know there’s folks that ain’t got a job a’tall,

The things they were most thankful for and everyone there shared. Of health and wealth and families and of how very well they fared Through flood, and drought and pestilence, and the economy’s decline. How late rains and grass, and good grades in school made everything just fine. The last to share, was Cousin Jack, and he said, “Now this might sound dumb, But what I’m most thankful for is this here blister on my thumb.”

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So I hope you understand now where I’m coming from

When I say I’m thankful for this blister on my thumb.”

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Never mind one that lets ‘em see the leaves changing in the fall.” “If I was sittin’ at a desk, I wouldn’t have got this blister, And that is why I’m thankful, and I’d like tell you , mister. I’m thankful I can look up at night and see a canopy of stars, And hear the owls and crickets, not the roar of trucks and cars.” “Every time I bump this blister, I stop and thank the Lord ‘Cause just bein’ a cowboy is its own reward.

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THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 17

Agricultural Mediation Available in Virginia

Certified agricultural mediation programs in North Carolina known as the North Carolina Agricultural Mediation Program (NCAMP) and in Virginia known as Farm Agricultural Resource and Mediation in Virginia (FARMVA) are available to assist in agricultural related disputes. There are 37 states that have a certified agricultural mediation programs. Disputes resulting from conflicts with USDA agencies, farm credit issues among other agricultural disputes can be at no cost. Mediation is the one opportunity for all parties to participate in resolving a dispute. Mediation is all about a mutual conversation and reaching a mutual resolution with the assistance of a mediator. Confidentiality, voluntary participation and goodwill are important components of a mediation. The mediator is a neutral and does not make a decision or make a judgement. The mediator facilitates a conversation and provides a safe and confidential environment allowing the opportunity for the parties to openly and candidly discuss the issues related to the conflict. Conflicts resolved through mediation that can be at no cost, include wetlands determination, foreclosures and accelerations, program compliance issues, vendor and other farm credit disputes just to name a few. Other conflicts including succession, family disputes, boundary issues and a host of other conflicts may involve a cost shared by all parties.

Jayne Zanglein, Executive Director states that FARM-VA “. . .cultivate a resolution by providing a trained mediator to guide discussions and help settle agricultural disputes quickly, confidentially and amicably, saving everyone involved time and money.” Contact 336.303.0466 or email to farmva@att.net www. farmva.org

MEDIATION SUCCESS STORY Joint Fact Finding Helps Parties Resolve Dispute Over Wetlands

A farmer in the northeast felt like he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. His local NRCS office had informed him that last year he planted corn in a wetland. In preliminary discussions with NRCS, the farmer was given a few options, none of which included being able to plant that field in the future. The farmer was not satisfied with the options on the table and contacted the state mediation program. The previous owner of the farmland had cleared the land and even used portions for a gravel pit. The land was so highly disturbed that NRCS made its determination based largely on soil mapping. The current owner, the farmer had lived in the area his whole life. He was familiar with the past uses of the field and he earnestly believed that the field in question was not a wetland. The NRCS staff adamantly maintained that the field was a wetland. The farmer requested mediation in the hope that the process would enable him to avoid contentious and expensive litigation. During the mediation, the mediator helped the parties discuss options to resolve the dispute. Since there was disagreement on whether the field was a wetland, the discussion first focused on a variety of ways to make a wetland determination given the disturbed condition of the land. Those options included leaving the field fallow for a few seasons until the vegetation necessary to make a determination returned, installing wells to monitor the groundwater level, and making the determination at a comparable adjacent field that was also designated as a wetland on the soil map. After much discussion, the parties agreed to conduct the analysis on the comparable field. Instead of each expert making their

own individual assessment and then arguing which expert was right, following the mediator’s suggestion, the parties agreed

to a joint the wetlands experts conducted fact finding process where the the determinations side by side, experts would collaborate. The with the parties in attendance. Continued on Page 18. parties scheduled a site visit and

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PAGE 18, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

Virginia Angus Association Highland Marshall capableofDedicates ofunderstanding understanding our ourresponsibility responsibilityasas voters. voting public public should ensure lessless capable voters. voting ensure From Page 11 Weed Out Ignorant From Page 11 Weed Out Ignorant the meaning of the Constitution Of course, we also must that that all visited races, creeds, genders the meaning of the Constitution Of course, we also must all races, genders As was transported to Amandale friend to see Highland. During the 2016 State Fair of and historical recollections as Angus Association. PAGE 12,2016, JULY THE 2016,VIRGINIA THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN PAGE 12, JULY CATTLEMAN

or contours governance remember theugly ugly history of and and sexual John and thethe contours of ofgovernance history of orientations and the bull Marshall, President of AAA remember where he the stood in the beautiful In sexual 1957, Gall passed Virginia, Angus difference is Virginia that now we have power of Highland information, you haveor outgoing difference is the that now we have power of information, you have thethegifted supercilious taxes prejudicial every socioeconomic supercilious poll taxesand andother otherenjoyed prejudicial people of everyshortly socioeconomic many desirable , than John was this statue poll gardens to be by people away of - and thereafter Association placed a uniquenosymbolizing unlimited access to information. standing to tell the the restrest of ofthan unlimited access to information. no standing to tell I Iof believe this similarly 1-percenters. believe this methods methods thatAmericans Americans used background similarly of cattle was placed as their token appreciation family, that friends, neighborsused and background the statue are was graciously Asand James Madison wrote, “A us traits how to Angus live our lives. Don’t statue near“A As historical James Madison wrote, us how to live our lives. Don’t1-percenters. despite the widespread failure to deny black citizens their inhibited from voting when despite the widespread failure to deny black citizens their inhibited from popular Government, without vote. looking for serving as President of the some say President Dwight gifted to the Virginia when Angus Government, without vote. over the property. thepopular manor home celebrating of ofpublic schools to to teach right totovote. ignorant. For the good of of our our public schools teach equal equal right vote.Any Anya effort effort ignorant. For popular information, or the Now, some of you will accuse In 1956, John Gall, then owner AAA. At that time , Highland “Ike “ Eisenhower, close popular information, or the Now, some of you will accuse Continued on Page 19. the Angus breed in Virginia. children basic civics. It’s still to improve the quality of the democratic institutions. children basic civics. It’s still to improve the quality of the democratic institutions. means of acquiring but meofme of Amandale peddling crass elitism. of crass Upperville of acquiring is but of peddling elitism. A means ceremony for it,theisit,event a Prologue to a toFarce or aor But I say the the opposite is true. a Prologue Farce a was But I say is true. President ofopposite the American featured plenty ofa memories Tragedy; or, perhaps both.” Unlike the the many whowho depend Valley Feed Company Tragedy; or, perhaps both.” Unlike many depend Valley Feed Company 316 New Hope Rd/PO Box 514 316 New Hope Rd/PO Box 514 And itAnd literally takestakes seconds to on voters to wield andand it literally seconds to ignorant on ignorant voters to wield Staunton, VA 24402 Staunton, VA 24402 Email: susan@valleyfeed.com learn learn aboutBy: the fundamentals of secure their power, I refuse to Email: susan@valleyfeed.com about the fundamentals of just secure their power, I refuse Nevil Speer the same for dairy proteinto Toll Free: 1-888-886-2311 Toll Free: 1-888-886-2311 Mill: 540-886-2311 ourInrepublic and the positions of believe that working-class or Mill: 540-886-2311 our republic and the positions that above working-class 2000, the industry producedof asbelieve described for meator Fax: 540-886-4394 Fax: 540-886-4394 candidates. If you forsake underprivileged citizens are are anyany candidates. Ifpounds you forsake underprivileged citizens 167.3 billion of the milkthe supplies. That is, consistent

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Two things cattleman are often known for is their creative engineering when it comes to solving problems on the farm and ranch, and secondly, they’re often known for there tight fisted ways when it comes to spending money. r e p u r p o s e d M AT E R I A L S has developed a niche that appeals to both of these traits. They offer for sale different byproducts and waste from other non-agricultural industries to cattleman for solving all kinds of problems at significant cost savings to buying new products to do the same thing. As their tag line says: “Re-using by ‘repurposing’ byproducts and waste of industry”. As you’ll see, some of their “repurposing” ideas for agriculture are pretty darn ingenious. “Farmers and ranchers are some of the most creative people I know when it comes to solving problems with whatever materials are at hand,” comments

Damon Carson founder of r e p u r p o s e d M AT E R I A L S . “That’s why I think the ag market is so receptive to these byproducts of industry that we offer. Our materials are versatile and generic enough that they can be repurposed in all kinds of useful ways. Our customers prove every single day that good ‘ole American ingenuity is alive and well.” What is “repurposing”? This company defines it as “re-using assets that have value ‘as is’ to a second, unrelated industry” Actually, “repurposing” has been going on in the livestock business for decades. Two longtime reuses are utilizing railroad ties as posts and oilfield pipe as fencing. repurposedMATERIALS is just taking this generations old concept and providing more and different byproducts to the ag industry for innovative “repurposing”.

THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 19

“repurposed” as flooring, walls for crowding pens, windbreaks. Used rubber roofing membrane gets “repurposed” as pond liners and roofing material for out buildings. Retired Advertising Billboards get “repurposed” as hay and equipment tarps. Old street sweeper brushes get “repurposed” as back scratchers for livestock. Decommissioned climbing ropes get “repurposed” as general purpose ropes. Emptied 275 gallon totes get “repurposed” as waste oil collectors, mobile fire fighting units, waters tanks, etc. Carson laughs about his niche. “What I really love is that ‘repurposing’ is just so practical. We can often save folks 50-75% over the cost of buying new when we can find byproducts coming out of other industries that can get a second life when they solve problems in their own industry. And, so what makes so much sense economically makes just as much sense environmentally because we’re keeping this stuff out of the landfill.”

Scrap conveyor belting gets

This is actually Carson’s second foray into the waste stream of America albeit with a very different and unique business model. Several years back, he sold a garbage company that he had co-owned in the Colorado ski resorts – Vail, Breckenridge, etc – to Waste Management. If you have other ideas of “repurposing” that you have seen or implemented yourself, Carson would love to hear about them. He readily admits that most of his “repurposing” ideas are not

his own but rather ideas that customers have shared with him. So, does “repurposing” make more sense environmentally or economically? Fortunately, we don’t have to choose. It makes since both ways! You can contact repurposedMATERIALS at 303321-1471 or visit them online at www.repurposedmaterialsinc. com.

From Page 18 - VA Angus Association.

Association, located at the time in Charlottesville, where it stood until 1993. At this point, VAA decided to become a little more centrally located and purchased the Johnny Rebb farm office in Stuarts Draft. The bull remained at VAA until this final move. Highland Marshall was one of 3

flush brothers (so to speak) – one standing at the American Angus Association Headquarters in St. Joseph Missouri and the other at the Angus Hall of Fame. John Mrotek, along with a number of donors, were instrumental in making it possible for Highland Marshall to stand at the Virginia State Fairgrounds.

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PAGE 20, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

Whatâ€™s in a name?

By:Valerie Rasmussen Director of Consumer Marketing & Information As I wrapped up a conference in Denver last month about the Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) program, I reflected on a few of the hot topic issues on consumerâ€™s minds regarding beef. We had discussed how to lead producers and other graduates of the program through tough question-andanswer sessions with consumers. Many graduates still feel trepidation about entering into these conversations, for fear that they wonâ€™t have the myriad of scientific facts and definitions that theyâ€™d like to be able to spout in response. However, as I enter my 4th year on the staff of the Virginia Beef Council, I am finding that the scientific arguments are less and less necessary to have in your memory bank. For years, we have known that emotions lead most consumersâ€™ concerns about their current food choices. We have shared the romanticized farm story to pull at these actively emotional heartstrings. While this is a great practice, and one we use widely on www.vabeef.org through our bi-monthly Meat Your Producers spotlight, we also know that even more important is the ability to listen. And unfortunately, weâ€™ve asked producers and industry spokespeople over the years to fight the definitions of consumerâ€™s phrases as a sole defense against tough questions. One of the most common word battles I see is regarding â€œhormone freeâ€?. When I sit in meetings with industry folks, whether they are state beef council staff, cattlemen, or even pro-industry chefs, I often see someone raise their hand and proudly (and slightly smugly) say, â€œWell, no living thing is without hormones. If these people are going to argue about hormones, they better be willing to give up spinach!â€?. I take issue with this counter-argument. While it is scientifically true,

if consumers were honestly seeking something they could not get anywhere on Earth, the argument would have ended long ago, when that point was first realized. These consumers are smart. Most of the population that chooses to eat specially-

labelled beef are high income, college educated, successful and intelligent individuals. If you stop to ask them why they demand hormone-free, youâ€™ll find that it isnâ€™t in fact a quest for no hormones whatsoever. Although they are using a frustrating misnomer, they are really seeking to find beef without â€œunnaturally addedâ€?, or un-naturally occurring

hormones. By jumping into a spinach argument, we are immediately putting the consumer on the defense of their intelligence. Isnâ€™t it enough to be politely questioning their deeprooted beliefs in how to safely provide for their families? The next time you find yourself in this conversation, I would urge each of you to take a page from

the MBA program, regardless of if youâ€™ve completed the full course. Find something in common with the person across from you. Try to find the root of their question, and attempt not to judge them for miss-stated production methods (grass fed vs. grass finished, for instance). You might just find these conversations are easier to address than you think!

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THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 21

Basis Shift Looming as Changes in Feeder Cattle Futures Take Fffect Wes Ishmael, BEEF Magazine

“Beginning with the November contract, Feeder Cattle futures will settle against an animal that is an average of 50 pounds heavier,” says Glynn Tonsor, agricultural economist at Kansas State University (KSU). Weight parameters for CME feeder cattle contracts and the CME Feeder Cattle Index used to settle them will increase 50 pounds on both ends of the range—from 650-849 pounds to 700-899 pounds—starting with the November contract. As such, Feeder Cattle futures will likely decline, reflecting the heavier cattle. “Expect to see Feeder Cattle futures lower than they have been in the past (because of the basis change), but let’s not be alarmed by it. It doesn’t mean that the cattle markets are going down the tubes,” says Brett Crosby, president of Custom Ag Solutions (CAS) in Cowley, Wyo., which produces and maintains the beefbasis.com website (BBC), in partnership with KSU. BBC is a free public site that provides an array of decision-support tools for producers. The change in the weight range will cause the basis to grow wider, negating the use of historic feeder cattle basis information, such as using an historic three-year average in forecasting price. The basis equation is: basis = local cash sales price – futures price. Working with the folks at CAS, Tonsor says it appears basis will widen an average of about $3. That’s based on re-constructed BBC models and applying the change to all transactions in the massive BBC database for the years 2011-2015. For a while, Tonsor says you can add $3 to your historic basis and get close to the mark. As time goes on, though, this crude calibration gets dicier. Ultimately, he recommends using beefbasis.com in order to account for it more accurately. There are other reasons to take a look at beefbasis.com. For instance, the site provides a daily-updated Stocker Cattle Price Index nationally and

regionally. There are lots of decision-support tools, too, including easy calculation of value of gain (VOG). In simple terms, VOG is the difference between the gross selling price and purchase price of the animal, divided by the number

of pounds added between purchase and sale. Some folks simply look at the current cash value of both the buy-weight and sell-weight and then calculate VOG. For instance, Tonsor explains if the cash price of a steer

weighing 521 pounds in Kansas in mid-September was $160.43 per cwt ($835.84 gross) and a steer weighing 761 pounds the same day brought $136.36 ($1,037.70 gross) the cash-based approach says the implied VOG for 240 pounds of

gain is 84 cents per pound. “I think it’s dangerous to just look at the cash market and say those pounds are worth X amount of money today, when it takes three months or six months to put them on,” Tonsor says. “I Continued on Page 22.

HUCKLEBERRY BEEF

Production Cow Sale * 1st Saturday each December Commercial Bull Sales Each Spring Out of AI Sires & Dams All Home Bred & Raised Our young stock program makes the difference. For further information call: Curtis Sowers @ 540-230-6957 Mark Sowers @ 540-230-0177 1145 WILLS RIDGE RD. FLOYD, VA 24091 HuckleberryCattle.com Quality Breeding Stock you can count on!

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Lease a Roseda Black Angus bull and become a partner in an innovative branded beef program.Roseda Farm will purchase your Roseda sired calves at competitive prices plus a premium based on your level of management and record keeping. Bulls start at $2500 with bull leases at $1500/season. For information contact: Dean Bryant Roseda Farm 410-472-2697 www.roseda.com roseda@roseda.com

PAGE 22, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

McDonald Farms Blacksburg, VA

FOR SALE

15 - 20+ Month Old Bulls 10 - Spring Calving Bred Heifers 10 - Spring Calving Bred Cows For More Information

The graph details the fed steer market on a year-over-year (YOY) basis. Stated another way, each data point reflects the difference in the fed market versus the previous year. Those deviations possess some important implications, especially during periods of large change and/or extended periods of negative values.

From Page 21. Basic Shift Looming

can’t put 200 pounds on before I leave the auction market. There’s a temporal component that needs to be considered.” With the futures-based approach in the example above, you’d use the same cash price when considering the 5-weight steer for purchase, but you’d look at the basis-adjusted futures price nearest the expected time of marketing. For the example above, the basis-adjusted April Feeder Cattle contract was $127.45 ($969.89 gross). That makes the implied futuresbased VOG 56 cents. Neither approach will be dead-on correct, but Tonsor says the futures-based approach is more accurate more of the time. So, even if producers don’t use futures to hedge, Tonsor emphasizes there is value in using them to forecast prices.

Contact Bill McDonald 540-552-2520 or 540-230-6225 www.mcdonaldfarms.com 2070 Walnut Springs Road, Blacksburg, VA

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Grade and Yield Your Fed Cattle HERE. MikeAllen•540-476-4680-LoadLots JamesHousden • 540-476-0269• Feeder/Fats Barry Wilkins, Jr.• 540-607-6032 • Feeder/Fats

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BOARD CATTLE AND PRIVATE TREATY SALES ALSO AVAILABLE GARY VANCE 540-622-4889

THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 23

For More Information Contact Your Local Representative. Charlie Drumheller c.drumheller@meat-pro.com 540-337-6768

ROANOKE-HOLLINS STOCKYARD HOLLINS, VIRGINIA

Sales Every Monday 2:00 P.M.

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Steve Mallory stevem@ridgeviewnh.com malloryfarms@vabb.com 540-222-4012

PAGE 24, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

VIRGINIA ANGUS ASSOCIATION

Virginia Angus Breeders Page AREHART ANGUS 2016-2017 Calendar of Events

www.millergustinangus.com

FA M & O ILY PE OW RA NE TE D D

E OM LC IT E W IS WE UR V YO

HILL CREST FARM The John Rucker Family 2394 Deleplane Grade Rd. Delaplane, VA 20144 540-364-2875

POOR HOUSE ANGUS

Jerry & Connie Hall P.O. Box 528 Uppersville, Va 20185 540-364-2875 FAX 540-364-3315 CELL 540-454-1512

Cattle Available by Private Treaty Watch for our consignments in Virginia Sales.

WE MEAT YOU NEEDS!!

November 1

Buchanan Cattle Enterprises Online Sale

November 4

Woodside Farm Sale, Berryville, VA

November 5

MC Livestock Bull Sale, Greenville, VA

November 5-7 napolis, IN

American Angus National Convention, India-

November 12 ney, VA

Holly Hill Farm Bull & Female Sale, Mt. Sid-

November 12 Culpeper, VA

Mystic Hill 38th Fall Bull and Female Sale,

Nov. 12-18North American Livestock Exposition, Louisville, KY November 19

Ginger Hill Angus, Culpeper, VA

November 19 Miller Farm LLC & Gustin Bull and Female Sale, Harrisonburg, VA November 19 Shelton Angus/Dogwood/ Locust Level Fall Bull Sale, Gretna, VA November 26 Point, VA

Edgewood Angus Bull and Female Sale, West

December 2

Knoll Crest Farm Fall Bull Sale, Red House, VA

December 3 ton, VA

Southwest Virginia’s Finest Angus Sale, Abing-

December 10 Sale, Culpeper, VA

BCIA Culpeper Sr. Performance Tested Bull

The Program with A Plan The Plan with A Purpose

AI BRED BULLS & HEIFERS AVAILABLE PRIVATE TREATY Annual Spring Bull & Female Sale Last Friday in April

The Arehart’s 2835 Shutterlee Mill Rd. Staunton, VA 24401 CELL 540-290-2240 CELL 540-290-4251

Annual Spring Bull & Female Sale Last Friday in November

Quaker Hill Farm Charles and Lee Rossen 5728 Poindexter Road * Lousia, VA 23093 FARM 540-967-1045 * CHARLES 540-894-3523 crossen@quakerhillfarm.com www.quakerhillfarm.com

2017 Family Business Since 1960

703 Woodman Rd. Rock Mount, VA 24151

Jan. 11-15 National Western Stock Show February 4 VAA Annual Meeting, Natural Bridge Hotel, Natural Bridge, VA March 10-12

MAJAC Show

www.edgewoodangus.com

March 18 Headquarters for Hindquarters Bull Sale, Harrisonburg, VA John Thurman 540-493-6025

Jason Thurman 540-493-4813

Steve Furrow 540-520-4804

FOUR LOCUST ANGUS Keysville, Virginia Zach, Dara & Dalton Tucker

March 25 BCIA Southwest Performance Tested Bull Sale, Wytheville, VA James D. Bennett 434-376-7299 Jim G. Bennett 434-664-7935 Dalton G. Bennett 434-664-7946

www.fourlocustangus.com

MAILING ADDRESS 400 Angus Lane, Williamsburg, VA 23188 FARM ADDRESS 28225 King William Road, West Point, VA 23181 PETE 757-880-7274 pete@hendersoninc.com PETER 757-298-6300 peter@hendersoninc.com

Paul S. Bennett 434-941-8245 Brain R. Bennett 434-664-8309 Scott Bennett 434-660-7268

Dennis J. Pearson

211 Four Locust Lake Lane Keysville, VA 23947 434-735-8161 * 434-736-9407 zach@spauldingequipment.net

BULL AND FEMALE SALE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2016

“Serving the Beef Industry Since 1944” 17659 Red House Road Red House, VA 23963 OFFICE 434-376-3567 * FAX 434-376-7008 Private Treaty Female Inquires Welcomed.

8459 March Wales Road Warrenton, Virginia 20186 540-326-2222 EMAIL SoldiersHillAngusFarm@hughes.net WEBSITE www.soldiershillangusfarm.com

THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 25

VIRGINIA SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION Virginia Junior Simmental Association Update Farrell Jones, Junior Advisor The State Fair of Virginia Youth Beef Heifer Show was held on October 2, 2016. We were pleased to have a percentage show in addition to our purebred show. Classes and winners are listed below. All of our junior exhibitors are commended for their hard work. Purebred Junior Heifer Calf (Mar.Apr., 2016) – 1st Zack Jones (also Division Winner) Purebred Senior Heifer Calf (Sept.Oct., 2015) – 1st Carlee Taylor, 2nd Carlee Taylor

Percentage Senior Heifer Calf (Sept.-Oct., 2015) – 1st Kristin Seay (also Division Winner) Percentage Intermediate Heifer Calf (May-Jun., 2015) – 1st Carlee Taylor (also Division Winner) Percentage Junior Yearling Heifer (Mar.-Apr., 2015) – 1st Jenna Kibler Percentage Junior Yearling Heifer (Jan.-Feb., 2015) – 1st Lianna Durrer, 2nd Cheyenne Deming Division Winner – Jenna Kibler Reserve Division Winner – Lianna Durrer

Division Winner – Carlee Taylor

Percentage Senior Yearling Heifer (Sept.-Oct., 2014) – 1st Taylor Edwards (also Divison Winner)

Reserve Division Winner – Carlee Taylor

Champion Percentage Heifer – Jenna Kibler

Purebred Junior Yearling Heifer (Mar.-Apr., 2015) – 1st Carlee Taylor, 2nd Sidnie Saville

Reserve Champion Percentage Heifer – Lianna Durrer

Purebred Junior Yearling Heifer (Jan.-Feb., 2015) – 1st Hayden Campbell, 2nd Cody Adams

Champion Percentage Bred Owned Heifer – Kristin Seay

Divison Winner – Carlee Taylor Reserve Division Winner – Sidnie Saville

Reserve Supreme Heifer – Carlee Taylor

Purebred Senior Yearling Heifer (Sept.-Oct., 2014) – 1st Hayley Crossman (also Division Winner)

VIRGINIA SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION Dana Campbell, VSA Secretary / Treasuer 4nelsoncampbells@gmail.com 3764 Lowesville Road Lowesville, VA 22967 434-277-9104 * www.virginiasimmental.com

Champion Purebred Heifer – Carlee Taylor Reserve Champion Purebred Heifer – Sidnie Saville Champion Bred & Owned Purebred Heifer – Carlee Taylor Reserve Champion Bred & Owned Purebred Heifer – Zack Jones Purebred Bred & Owned Cow/Calf Pair – 1st Zack Jones Percentage Junior Heifer Calf (Jan.Feb., 2016) – 1st Taylor Edwards (also Division Winner)

Congratulations also go to our VJSA members who participated in Showmanship and the Premier Exhibitor and Skill-a-Thon contests. Sidnie Saville placed fifth in Junior Showmanship, second in Junior Premier Exhibitor, and fifth in the Junior Skill-a-Thon. Carlee Taylor placed tenth in Intermediate Showmanship, seventh in Intermediate Premier Exhibitor, and ninth in the Intermediate Skill-a-Thon. Daniel Campbell placed ninth in Junior Showmanship. Zack Jones placed fifth in Senior Premier Exhibitor and sixth in Senior Skill-a-Thon.

PAGE 26, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

VIRGINIA CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION

2015 - 2016 VCA Officers

Our next sale, the 16th Fall Herd Improvement Sale, at Virginia Tech Nov. 5, 2016 @ 1pm

Bill Thompson - President 1295 Park Avenue Clifton Forge, VA 24422 540-968-1987 Kaitlin Smith - Vice President 454 Old Farm Road Lexington, VA 24333 540-463-6778

You are invited to our Charolais Sale at Virginia Tech. We have over 50 lots consigned. These cattle can enhance a pure bred herd or make a commercial herd better. There will be open and bred heifers, cow/calf pairs, cow/calf splits and six breeding aged bulls cataloged. If you do not receive a catalog, you should be able to view it on our sales manager’s website at: www.outfrontcattle.com. For more information, you may contact our sale manager Dennis Adams: 979-229-4472 or email outfrontcattle@ gmail.com or contact Bill Thompson 540-968-1987 or email mountainmeadows@ highlandcomputers.com

Deidre Harmon - Secretary 1445 Pipers Gap Road Galax, VA 24333 276-233-8852 Walt Winkler - Treasurer 124 Kindig Road Waynesboro, VA 22980 540-943-6144 Rob Farmer- Past President 8030 Greenwich Road Catlett, VA 20119 540-270-3886 Chad Joines Junior Advisor Virginia Tech Dept Animal & Poultry Science Blacksburg, VA 24061 540-557-7263 Charolais Bulls for Commerical Cattlemen

Charlottesville, VA, 434-566-2750

ountain eadows

William (Bill) Thompson 1295 Park Ave Clifton Forge, VA 24422 CELL 540-968-1987 MountainMeadowsCharolais.com FOR SALE Quality Charolais Embryos

River Croft Charolais Breeding Polled - Registered Performance Charolais William and Agnes Anerson P.O. Box 304 Altavista, VA 24517 434-369-5366 “Keeping the commerical producers in mind”

Charolais bulls for most discriminating buyer

Colonial Farms

Cross Mountain Cattle Co.

Robert Farmer 8030 Greenwich Rd. 124 Kindig Road Catlettt, VA 20195 Waynesboro, VA 22980 540-270-3886 Walt Winkler Gerry Scott 540-379-1975 540-943-6144

CREWS FARMS Registered Charolais

784 Payneton Rd. Chatham, VA Billy Crews, Barry Crews Billy C. Crews, Brent Crews 434-656-2361 434-656-3771

THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 27 KNOLL CREST FARM JAMES, PAUL, JIM, BRIAN BENNETT 17659 RED HOUSE RD. RED HOUSE, VA 23963 434-376-3567 OFFICE 434-376-7008 FAX JAMES BENNETT - 434-376-7299 PAUL BENNETT - 434-941-8245 JIM BENNETT - 434-664-7935 DALTON G. BENNETT - 434-664-7946 BRIAN BENNETT - 434-664-8309 SCOTT BENNETT - 434-660-7268 WINTERFEILD FARM BARBARA & JASON KNABE 2074 GRAVEL HILL RD DILLWYN, VA 23936 Barbara 434-983-3110 barbaran2teeth@gmail.com Jason 434-547-9878 jasonknabe@gmail.com 2.2 MI. EAST OF U.S. 15 ON 617

MAPLEWOOD FARM

JOHN AND KAREN FLEISHMAN DANIEL AND ELIZABETH 5442 DANIEL CUPP ROAD DAYTON, VA 22821 JOHN 540-421-9511 DANIEL 540-383-1688 jdfdeere@att.net

OAK CREEK FARM

BILLY AND JACKIE KOONTZ 25840 INDEPENDENCE ROAD UNIONVILLE, VA 22567 540-854-6567 oakcreekfarm@gmail.com

Mid-Atlantic Fall Bonanza Sale Saturday, November 12, 2016

FAUQUIER FARM

6470 BEVERLYS MILL ROAD BROAD RUN, VA 20137 HOME 540-347-4343 OFFICE 540-905-2667 NORTHERN VA area CATTLE FOR SALE fauquierfarm@yahoo.com

MOUNTAIN LION MEADOW

TODD, LYDIA, LAYLA, AND LILLY SCOTT 1191 SPRING MILL ROAD CONCORD, VA 24538 434-665-1224 434-993-2502

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DEER TRACK FARM

R.E. BALTIMORE, OWNER, MANAGER, FEILD HAND 150 CARTERSVILLE EXT. CARTERSVILLE, VA 23027 HOME 804-375-3071 OFFICE 804-399-7409 “All Cattle Made in America”

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QUAIL HOLLOW FARM

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This March 2016 Revolution Son

For more information or to request a sale book, please contact the Virginia Hereford Association at 540-848-4834 or secretary@virginiaherefords.org. Catalog will be available online at www.virginiaherefords.org and on American Hereford Association’s website.

FROGTOWN ACRES

JERRY FUNKHOUSER REBECCA WEBERT 417 FROGTOWN LANE EDINBURG, VA 22824 HOME 540-984-8833 JERRY CELL 540-333-1020 REBECCA CELL 540-333-1019 EMAIL jerry@shentel.net

MEADOW RIDGE FARMS, INC. DOUG & MELISSA HARRISON 2184 HILLYARD DRIVE BROADWAY, VA 22815 540-896-5004 harrisonmeadow@aol.com

Virginia Hereford Association PIONEER FARM

CHARLES, MEREDITH AND OLIVIA WILLIAMS 485 HEREFORD CROSSING FAIRFIELD, VA 24435 herefordxing@gmail.com 540-460-8803

Diane Wilson 6636 Monumental Mills Road Rixeyville, VA 22737 Home - 540-937-3428 Cell - 540-551-2116 QuailHollowHerefords@gmail.com www.QuailHollowHerefords.com

BAY BROOK FARM

Thanks to all donors, sponsors, exhibitors, and volunteers for making the Mid Atlantic Fall Round-Up and the Eastern States Jackpot Shows such as huge success, We look forward to seeing you next year!

ROCK MILLS HEREFORDS PAUL AND KIM NOVAK 240 THUNDER VALLEY LANE CASTLETON, VA 22716 540-937-5553 rockmillsfarm@hughes.net

HEREFORD HILLS FARM ROY AND KIM DEAN 9311 BRADY LANE HARRISONBURG, VA 22802 540-432-9805 Rdean81333@aol.com

RODNEY & BARBARA PHILLIPS 4277 FACTORY MILL ROAD DABNEYS, VA 23102 804-556-3810 rodney@baybrookherefords.com “Hereford Bulls for sale at all times.”

DUNROVIN

DON & SHEILA RICHARDSON 3473 DUNROVIN FARM CROZET, VA 22932 434-823-4438 EMAIL dunrovinva@hotmail.com THICK, DARK RED, HEAVY MILKING COWS DR WORLD CLASS DR MR CONSERVATIVE

VIRGINIA HEREFORD ASSOCIATION BULL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE BULLS FOR SALE, PLEASE CONTACT BOB SCHAFFER AT 540-582-9234 OR EMAIL bob@deertrackfarm.com

PAGE 28, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

Flowing Spring Gelbvieh 6235 LEE HWY. ATKINS, VA 24311 CHARLES E. ATKINS OWNER 276-780-3979

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Beef Council Update

THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 29

Enhancing consumer preference for beef & sustaining Virginia families.

Beef Industry’s Families in Motion Digital Campaign Boosted by State Council Push Walt Barnhart State beef councils continue to step up to extend digital advertising and promotion for beef across the country. Focusing on a new national Families in Motion campaign from the Beef Checkoff Program, they are delivering a message about beef’s nutrition, versatility and ease-of-preparation to a more specific – but very critical – audience. The campaign is designed to reach millennial parents ages 25-34 and was launched in late June. It is targeted to cooking and/or health enthusiasts who are open to inspiration about their meals and seeking assistance on what to prepare, and how. Digital media purchases for the campaign will continue through October. Included in the campaign are cooking techniques, nutrition information and recipes to meet the demands of these important consumers. The messages are promoted through a wide variety of digital platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest, as well as Google search and banner advertising. It also includes partnerships with online food sites Food52 and TasteMade, which provide helpful food and meal suggestions to many millennial consumers. Food52 will provide nearly 28 million impressions for beef, while TasteMade will feature full-length YouTube videos and shorter teasers. The goal of the campaign is to get parents of young children to include beef in more meals by helping them see how beef’s versatility and unique combination of nutrients gives each member of the family what they need to get through the day. Videos associated with the campaign inspire beef usage and inform consumers about beef’s health benefits. A goal for the video campaign is 24 million viewers, linking each viewer to the campaign’s landing page on the Beef It’s What’s For Dinner

website.. Sixteen percent of visitors continue on to other pages on the site. States Step Up Among state beef councils extending the campaign is the Michigan Beef Industry Commission, which is extending the pre-roll video campaign on YouTube from August into October. “We’re pleased to extend the messages to the consumers in Michigan we’re trying to reach,” according to George Quackenbush, MBIC executive director. Results so far have been outstanding, Quackenbush says, with several thousand views in just the first few weeks. Some states are pooling funds at the regional level to create some of the same kinds of benefits. State beef councils in Kansas, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska, for instance, are enhancing the reach of the campaign. The additional effort in these four states will generate at least a half million video views of checkoff messages across the states. According to Reid Blossom, executive vice president of the Illinois Beef Association, this results in a particularly efficient use of checkoff dollars. “It’s a good deal for Illinois producers,” Blossom says. “We can leverage our checkoff dollars across the four states, and reach some critical high population areas in our state.” Kevin Thielen, executive director of the Kansas Beef Council, says producers on his beef council board recognize the efficiencies of joining forces. “The fact that several states are going together makes a difference; it helps you get a better buy,” he says. “We’re increasing the reach of the national buy and extending the message into our own markets.” That means being able to focus on big markets such as Kansas City, he says, “to get our cost per reach down.” In addition to extended reach, state beef councils also see value in using effective messages

the campaign conveys. “The Families in Motion campaign really resonates with people,” according to Thielen. “It continues to tell the message that beef fits into a balanced, healthy diet.” “It’s a targeted approach,” says MBIC’s Quackenbush. “It allows us to target who our videos will reach. About 80 percent of the audience we’re reaching is identified as parents. That’s important to know. We’re focused to get our message to the right audience.” Blossom agrees that a focused approach is critical, and says the digital campaign makes sense from a number of angles. “The fastest growing segment of consumers is millennials,” Blossom says. “This campaign allows us to spotlight that demographic, which is extremely effective. Farmers know about efficiency; it’s what we try to emphasize when we’re running our farms.” Meghan Pusey, senior director of integrated communications for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a beef checkoff contractor, says focus definitely plays an enormous role in the new campaign. “This program is creating a holistic, rather than a scattered, approach,” she says. “We’re also pooling dollars to have a bigger reach. It’s helping us increase the visibility of the message.” Cost is just one reason the beef industry has adopted a digital approach. “Consumer research shows that this is the way we should be delivering the information,” Blossom says. “Over the course of the last three years, the Illinois Beef Association has changed our approach so that we are only doing consumer marketing through digital.” This isn’t to say that other forms of marketing don’t have value, Blossom says. “Often, other forms of promotion are more shotgun in nature,” he says. “This is definitely a rifle approach.” Another reason state beef council executives and their boards value partnering in campaigns like this is because they get direct feedback on how well they work for the producers funding them. “Not only can we utilize a focused strategy

through our digital platforms, we have good state metrics for them to analyze their results,” Pusey says. “It’s the best of both worlds.” “It’s exciting to know we have numbers to measure our success,” says Quackenbush. State councils have weighed in on both the development and the implementation of the campaign. The national team, for instance, received significant feedback from the Federation Advisory Council, which is a group of executives representing state beef councils on the Federation of State Beef Councils. Webinars for council staffs and direct contact between staffs at the national and state levels help broaden the collaboration. Producers Seeing Value In addition to its digital extension to specific consumer audiences, Blossom says IBA is utilizing the Families in Motion videos at in-store grocery promotions and showcasing the campaign videos to producers in the northern and southern parts of the states. This not only increases beef promotion, it helps demonstrate how producer checkoff dollars are being spent. Even so, bringing some producers into the digital age can sometimes be a challenge, admits Quackenbush. “Our producer leaders realize, though, that we are not the consumer we need to be reaching,” he says. “The consumer has changed, and their purchasing decisions have become more complicated. They’re looking for information using smart phones, tablets and computers. Our producer leaders know we need to meet the consumer where they are.” In addition to the videos and partnerships, there are numerous tools and forms of assistance available to state beef councils that allow them to extend the campaign while coordinating promotion programs in their own states. Banner ads, social media posts and imagery, and video commercials in a variety of lengths fit the theme and can be used in a state’s campaign.

New radio advertising is also being made available through the national Beef Checkoff Program, while planning assistance is offered to help coordinate and maximize the state/national promotion effort. Additional materials are in production. Just Beginning The Families in Motion video campaign runs into October, but that won’t be the end of the effort at either the state or national level. MBIC, for instance, will continue to utilize Families in Motion in its blogs and on Facebook, and is working with a retailer, which is using campaign materials in their store promotions. IBA’s Blossom says they plan to invest in a future round of the video campaign. NCBA’s Pusey says there is also much more in store for the campaign nationally. “It’s just the beginning,” she says. “Through checkoff-funded research we’ve developed more direct creative ideas and content. We will leverage what’s created well into the spring and apply learnings for new creative approaches for years to come. “The bottom line is we have a checkoff investment that is giving us a chance to generate tremendous visibility for beef,” she says, “as well as quantifiable touchpoints with those consumers who buy and prepare our product.” ### The Federation of State Beef Councils is a division of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), which is a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. The program is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board.

PAGE 30, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

NOAA Issues Winter Outlook for U.S.

Forecasters at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center issued the “U.S. Winter Outlook” on October 20th and said La Nina weather patterns are expected to influence winter conditions this year. The Climate Prediction Center issued a La Nina watch, predicting that the climate phenomenon is likely to develop in late fall or early winter. La Nina favors drier, warmer winters in the southern U.S and wetter, cooler conditions in the northern U.S. If La Nina conditions materialize, forecasters say it should be weak and potentially short-lived. “This climate outlook provides the most likely outcome for the upcoming winter season, but it also provides the public with a good reminder that winter is just up ahead and it’s a good time to prepare for typical winter hazards, such as extreme cold and snowstorms,” said Mike Halpert, deputy director of the NOAA Climate Prediction Center. “Regardless of the outlook, there is always some chance for extreme winter weather, so prepare now for what might come later this winter.” Other factors that often play a role in the winter weather include the Arctic Oscillation, which influences the number of arctic air masses that penetrate into the South and create “nor’easters” on the East Coast, and the Madden-Julian Oscillation, which can affect the number of heavy rain events in the Pacific Northwest. Specifically, NOAA said the U.S. outlook for the winter (December 2016 through February 2017) includes: Precipitation — Wetter-thannormal conditions are most likely in the northern Rockies, around the Great Lakes, in Hawaii and in western Alaska. Drier-than-normal conditions are most likely across the entire southern U.S. and southern Alaska. Temperature — Warmer-thannormal conditions are most

likely across the southern U.S. and extending northward through the central Rockies, as well as in Hawaii, western and northern Alaska and northern New England. Cooler conditions are most likely across the northern tier from Montana to western Michigan. The rest of the country falls into the “equal chance” category, meaning there is not a strong enough climate signal in these areas to shift

the odds, so they have an equal chance for temperatures and/or precipitation to be above, near or below normal. Drought — Drought will likely persist through the winter in many regions currently experiencing drought, including much of California and the Southwest. Drought is expected to persist and spread in the southeastern U.S. and develop in the southern Plains. New England will see a mixed

bag, with improvement in the western parts and persistence to the east. Drought improvement is anticipated in northern California, the northern Rockies, the northern Plains and parts of the Ohio Valley. NOAA explained that this seasonal outlook does not project where and when snowstorms may hit or provide total seasonal snowfall

accumulations. Snow forecasts are dependent upon the strength and track of winter storms, which are generally not predictable more than a week in advance. However, NOAA said La Nina winters tend to favor above-average snowfall around the Great Lakes and in the northern Rockies and below-average snowfall in the mid-Atlantic.

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Thin Cows Cost You Money

nutritional reserves. The most commonly used body condition scoring system rates cattle on a scale from 1 to 9, with 9 being morbidly obese and 1 being a walking skeleton. Unfortunately, visual appraisal can be subjective -- thin to me may not be thin to you. There are a few guidelines to go by. Thin cattle have a sharp, angular appearance. Cattle in ideal body condition are fleshy and have good muscle tone. Fat cattle have a square, boxy appearance. Keep in mind that shrink can make cattle appear thinner than they actually

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THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 31

are, while late pregnancy can calves. Calves born to thin cows make cows look fatter than have decreased survivability they really are. Assessing body and lowered growth rates. The condition scores at key times overall profitability of thin in the production calendar can cattle is lower than cows in help cattlemen customize their ideal or fat condition. feeding decisions for maximum Research from the University profitability. of Georgia confirms that thin Relation Between Body cows do not rebreed well. Condition and Profitability Cattle need to breed back Research has shown that within 80 days from the time variations in body condition they calve in order to maintain are directly related to a yearly calving interval (365 reproductive performance and days – 285 days/pregnancy = thus profitability. Thin cows 80 days) A summary of UGA do not cycle as early as heavier studies showed that only about cows and have lower overall half of thin cows were cycling Virginia Cattlemans Newspaper conception rates. They tend to 5x5.5 by 80 days after calving, while take longer to get pregnant and over 80% of cows in ideal or fat thus have an increased calving condition were cycling within interval and wean younger this 80-day window. Also, it was

At Fink Beef Genetics, we’ve been using MULTIMIN® 90 on our yearling bulls for three years now with good results. Last year we participated in a trial through Kansas State University in which 500 of our fall born bulls received MULTIMIN® 90 in April, at weaning, when about 7 months of age and again in July, when about 10 months of age. By the middle of September they received a full BSE semen check and we found that by one year of age we were able to increase the number of bulls that semen checked by about 3% overall. Even though they came from only 50 to 75 miles away, the blood work showed differences between the herds in the amount of selenium and other trace minerals. To me that meant MULTIMIN® 90 is a big equalizer, a product that breaks down over time and helps level out the differences in some of these animals that come in from different areas. We intend to keep using MULTIMIN® 90 after seeing these significant benefits.

shown that young cows (first-, second- and third-calf) that were thin had lower pregnancy rates than thin mature cows. Studies at Clemson University concluded that first-calf heifers that calved in ideal body condition had heavier calves without increased dystocia than those in thin body condition. In a summary of 12 trials conducted in Florida, Texas and Oklahoma with over 4000 beef cows, pregnancy rates were shown to improve dramatically as body condition scores improved from thin to ideal. Thin cows tend to breed later, so they calve late into the calving season and thus their calves Continued on Page 32.

PAGE 32, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

From Page 31. - Thin Cows Cost.

are youngest at weaning. In addition, thin cows have less energy reserves to produce milk and as a result tend to raise calves that grow slower. Economically, thin cows raise lighter calves that make less money than the calves of cows in ideal condition (See Table 1). In this study, it was shown that a thin cow earns $187 less per year than a cow in ideal body condition. Practical Use of Body Condition Scores There are several key times during the production calendar to evaluate body condition for maximum benefit. These are before calving (about 90 – 100 days prior to calving), at calving, at weaning and at breeding. By monitoring cattle during these times, cattle owners can manage available resources and make appropriate decisions to maintain cattle at ideal body condition for optimum productivity. Cows should be in ideal to slightly fat condition at calving and at breeding for best calf growth and rebreeding performance, respectively. If cattle are identified as thin prior to calving or at weaning, you will have the opportunity

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PAGE 34, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

From Page 32. - Thin Cows Cost.

to improve body condition through supplemental nutrition in time for the pivotal calving and breeding periods. Keep in mind the study mentioned above, a thin cow earns $187/ year less than cows in ideal body condition. It is often much cheaper to maintain a cow in ideal condition than it is to allow her to become too

thin and then try to gain weight back or to allow her to remain too thin. How Do Cattle Maintain Body Condition? Overall quality and quantity of available forages, parasite load, presence of disease, genetics, weather and dominance status all affect a cow’s body condition score. Cattle tend to

be in highest body condition in mid to late summer and then slowly decline throughout the winter with their lowest body condition in late winter or early spring. During winter months, most cattle producers rely primarily on hay to provide for their cattle. Hay quality varies greatly from year to year and even cutting to cutting. Most average hay will fail to meet all of the protein, energy and mineral needs for lactating cows and

growing steers and heifers. Poor quality hay should be fed to dry cows and mature bulls whenever possible, but even these groups may need protein and energy supplementation in order to maintain body condition entering the winter

months. Also, thin dry cows and bulls will need a supplement program to allow them to gain weight, especially during winter months. A good mineral supplement is always recommended when feeding hay to all groups of cattle in

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THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 35

PAGE 36, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

World Beef Markets, Trade Expected to Grow in 2017

The latest global meat trade estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service indicated that beef production and consumption among major beef countries is growing in 2016 and is projected to grow even more in 2017. Aside from the U.S. — the world’s largest beef-producing and consuming country, where both production and consumption are increasing — beef production is expanding in several major beef-producing countries, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist Derrell Peel said. Brazil, which saw decreased beef production in 2015 and 2016, is projected to increase production in 2017. Beef production is also expected to increase in China, India and Argentina, with the European Union holding about steady. Australia is an exception, with drought-forced liquidation in 2014 and 2015 leading to a projected 19% decrease in beef production in 2016 and continued smaller production in 2017. In addition to the U.S., Peel said beef consumption among major beef-consuming nations is projected to expand in 2017 in China and Brazil, with a modest year-over-year decrease in the EU. In the remaining top 10 beef consuming nations, beef consumption in 2017 is projected to expand in Argentina, India, Mexico, Pakistan and Turkey. Russia is expected to post another decrease following reduced beef consumption in 2015 and 2016. Beef consumption in Japan, which is currently the number 11 beef-consuming nation, is projected to hold steady in 2017. Peel also noted that beef exports among major exporting countries are projected to increase year over year in 2017. Sharply lower beef exports in 2016 from Australia and New Zealand are projected to more than offset increased exports from Brazil, India and the U.S., resulting in a slight year-over-

year decrease in total exports from 2015 levels. Australia and New Zealand are expected to see continued reductions in beef exports in 2017, with growth continuing in the three other largest beef-exporting countries. Beef exports are also expected to continue growing

in other top 10 exporting countries in 2016 and 2017, including Canada, Paraguay, Uruguay (steady in 2017), the EU and Mexico, along with Argentina, which currently is the number 11 beef-exporting country. Despite sharply lower U.S. beef

imports in 2016 and additional reductions projected for 2017, Peel said total beef imports among major importing countries are expected to increase year over year in 2016 and 2017. The rapid growth in beef imports in China is currently the most dramatic

change in global beef markets, Peel noted. China, which was not a global beef market player at all just a few years ago, has risen to become the secondlargest beef importing country in 2016, with additional growth projected in 2017. At the current Continued on Page 37.

Complete Dispersal of Wild Wind Angus 1494 Tinkling Spring Road, Staunton, VA 24401

Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 10:30 am Tractors & Combine Miscellaneous Equipment Trucks & Trailers Mohawk Zero Turn Bobcat Fast Cat RZ JD 5115M Tractor w/Cab, Loader, 4x4 2005 Chevrolet Van 865 Hrs. Lawn Mower, 5'4" Cut, S/N 9423156 1986 Freightliner w/Cummins Engine, JD 6420 Tractor w/Cab, 4x4, Power North Star 2-Bottom Subsoiler, 3 Pt. Hitch Wet Line, 3 Stage, Jake Brake, New Quad, 3 Remotes, 5,668 Hrs. Tires, Fuller Transmission, Air Ride, Vicon PS04 Spreader, 3 Pt. Hitch JD 2555 Tractor w/Cab, 245 Loader, Bushhog SM60 Bushhog, Side Mount 372,062 Miles 4x4, 8 Speed, Hi-Low, 2 Remotes, 1979 Ford F-150 Pick-Up, 4 Speed, 4x4 Ag-Krane Pallet Forks, 3 Pt. Hitch 6,949 Hrs. Rhino Rear Blade, 6' 1979 Bronco Custom Ford, Auto, 4x4, JD 2750 Tractor, 2x4, 2 Remotes Trac-Vac Lawn Vacuum 392 Motor, 87,916 Miles JD 2555 Tractor w/ROPS, 146 Loader, 1971 Chevrolet C-60, 12' Dump w/Tarp, Antique Hand Operated Cider Press Fassy Hydraulic System, 2 Remotes, Antique Oxen Yoke Air Brakes, 2 Speed Transmission, 8 Speed, Hi-Low Air Compressor V-8, Gas, VIN #CE63OP11076, JD 4400 Combine, Diesel, 1,748 Hrs. Shop Tools 63,794 Miles JD 443 Cornhead, 4-Row, 30" Rows, 1971 Ford F-600, 2 Speed, 14' Dump, Flex Head Hay Equipment 330 Motor, VIN #F51DEL02905 JD 459 Silage Special Baler, Cover Edge Planting & Harvesting Equipment 1936 Plymouth Pick-Up, Model PT105, NH Mow Max H7330 Discbine, 10’4” Cut, Kinze KPM2000 4-Row Planter, VIN #8637349, No Title Impellers 30" Rows, Dry Fertilizer, Row 2008 Featherlite 8127 Gooseneck NH 1411 Disc Mower Roller Conditioner Markers, Double Frame 2000, KPM Stock Trailer, 20' JD 702 8-Wheel Rake w/Kicker Electric Monitor, Sorghum Plates 2004 Featherlite Bumper Pull Trailer, 12' JD 350 Sickle Bar Mower, 9' Cut JD 7000 Conservation 4-Row Planter, 1992 Eby Aluminum Gooseneck Work Saver Round Bale Unroller, 3 Pt. 30" Row, Liquid Fertilizer Livestock Trailer, 20'L, 7 1/2'W Lilliston 9670 No Till Drill Hitch Walsh 249 Gravity Flow Wagon, 275 1979 Rodgers Trailer w/22' Dump, Bale Mover, 3 Pt. Hitch 600 Bushel Capacity, GVWR 59,550, Hay Spike, 3 Pt. Hitch Bushel Capacity VIN #1195 EZ 1074 Trail Running Gear Front Hay Spear for Global Quick Attach Domor LDA25 Equipment Trailer, 24' Livestock Equipment Deck, Pintle Hitch, S/N 251107210 Auction Manager: Southwest Livestock Working Chute 1957 Hemi 392 Engine w/Manual Head Gate Priefert Palpation Cage Schuler Feed Wagon, Needs New For Additional Information & Floor Chain Complete Equipment Listing: (2) Behlen Creep Feeders, 8' EZ Trail Feeder Wagon www.colemansalesinc.com Freedom 2-Hole Waterer

LEGENDS OF THE BLUE RIDGE SALE REPORT 2016 Cow Calf Pairs 2 Lots averaged $3,300 to total $6,600 Bred Cows 5 Lots averaged $2,200 to total $11,000 Bred Heifers 9 Lots averaged $2,162 to total $ 19,450 Open Heifers 8 Lots averaged $1,538 to total $12,300 Bulls 7 Lots averaged $1,865 to total $13,050 Pen of Commercial Females 1 Lot averaged $4,600 to total $4,600 Genetic Lots 9 Lots averaged $954 to total $8,580

THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 37

Playing the slots can sometimes be more predictable

than livestock market prices, fuel costs and even the weather…

32 Live Lots averaged $2,094 to Total $67,000 49 Total Lots averaged $1,842 to Total $75,580 Continued on Page 39.

From Page 36. World Beef Markets.

pace of growth, Peel said China could surpass the U.S. as the largest beef-importing country in the next two or three years. Beef imports in South Korea have also increased sharply in 2015 and 2016, with modest increases projected to continue in 2017. Japan is projected to continue modest year-over-year increases in beef imports in 2017. Beef imports in Russia, which has seen beef imports fall by more than half since 2013, are projected to stabilize in 2016 and 2017 at the lowest level in more than 15 years. Beef imports in most other significant importing countries are projected to be steady to higher in 2017, including in the EU, Hong Kong, Egypt, Canada, Chile and Malaysia.

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PAGE 38, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

Beef Leadership Council at Virginia Tech

Madison Slaven is the Beef Leadership Council at Virginia

Tech’s Vice President. Although we miss her in Blacksburg she is spending this semester advocating and working in the Beef Industry in Washington DC. She works hard for our council and the Industry as a whole. Check out what she’s doing this semester! «I am the Public Policy Intern with the National Cattlemen›s Beef Association and Public Lands Council. The internship is focused around gaining experience with the current issues that cattle producers are facing while learning how the Government Affairs division of NCBA operates on Capitol Hill to serve as a voice for our members. So far in my internship I have attended meetings with legislative staff pertaining to GIPSA (Grain Inspection, Packers, and Stockyards Administration), TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership), federal lands and environmental issues, and more. These meetings are an opportunity to discuss how certain legislation and regulation could affect or Continued on Page 40. Selling Cattle at Black Lick Cattle Co. Sale on October, 22. are currently affecting our members. Additionally, I›ve gotten to participate in meetings b e t w e e n November 19th, 1:00 pm, at the ranch, Quicksburg, VA NCBA and PLC staff with other industry SELLING: 75 lots of Yearling and Long Yearling leaders and SVS Minnie Pearl BYNF lobbyists Virginia Range-Raised Bulls and Fancy Bred Heifers addressing issues such Best set of cattle offered to date! as cattle markets, beef economics, estate taxes, veterinary medicine, and others. At each of these meetings I gain new insight into the cattle industry and learn about SVS PATRIOT CXT7 SVS NO LIMITS CZU2 SVS SUNDANCE CWSA what producers are facing in their respective s e g m e n t s . Embryos currently available from powerful donors • Visit our recently updated website for more information. There are many issues Lisa Zirkle – Contact me for a catalog or more information that I am able Your source for unique, powerful, 3691 S. Middle Rd. • Quicksburg, VA 22847 to relate to on a performance, purebred genetics 540-335-1885 (c) • lisaz1@shentel.net personal level since 1976! www.shenandoahvalleysimmentals.com and how they

S h e nand oa h ’ s

Shining Stars Fall Sale

From Page 37. - Legends of Blue Ridge SaleCattle report. High-Selling Lots and genetics sold to $4,100 – Cow/Calf Pair, VPI POLLY ANNA & VPI ABSOLUTE D652, by MR NLC UPGRADE U8676 & K C F BENNETT ABSOLUTE D652, cons. by Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA; sold to Larry Davidson, Gate City, VA $2,850 – Bull, C23, by W/C WIDETRACK 694Y, cons. by Ruble Ranch, Corydon, IA; sold to Hopkins Farm, Athens, WV $2,800 – Bred Cow, HCCH MS THUNDER Z285, by Monopoly, cons. by Heishman Cattle Company, Mount Jackson, VA; sold to Lyndsey Grove, Harrisonburg, VA $2,700 – Bred Cow, WELSH’S LOOK MY WAY 142Y, by CNS DREAM ON L186, cons. by Rolling Rock Farm Simmental, Chilhowie VA; sold to Welsh Simmentals, Glasgow, KY $2,500 – Bred Heifer, NB TIFFANY 55B, by SS TONKA 210U, cons. by Neal Bros. Simmentals, Bicknell, IN; sold to Adam Pendleton, Jonesville, VA $2,500– Bred Heifer, NB TONYA 52B, by SVF NJC U003, cons. by Neal Bros. Simmentals, Bicknell, IN; sold to Michael Mabe, Max Meadows, VA $2,500– Bred Heifer, TNC ELEANOR, by SVF NJC FULLY LOADEDX113, cons. by Rocky Hollow Simmentals, Wytheville, VA; sold to Michael Mabe, Max Meadows, VA $2,500– Cow/Calf Pair, STF Embracement 761A & D51, by STF ENDANGERMENT XY94 & SOPRIS SYGEN MANDATE ERICA, cons. by Graber Cattle Farm LLC, Jonesville, VA; sold to Michael Mabe, Max Meadows, VA A great crowd was on hand to bid and additionally numerous absentee buyers phoned in bids represented by Ruble Cattle Services and sale consultant Billy Proffitt.

A IA, IL, KY, MI, MO, NC, OH, VA, & WV. Thank you to all the Virginia buyers and customers around the country who left bids and

THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 39

also to those who ended up as successful buyers. Thank you to everyone who supported the sale.

STRAIGHTSTONE ANGUS WILD WIND ANGUS - WHITEFALL FARM REGISTERED ANGUS BULL &FEMALE SALE 20+ 25+

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Lunch available at 12:00 Noon

Robert ‘Doc’ Durr 434-222-1880

Robin Toms

Aubrey J. Nuchols

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434-221-4993

PAGE 40, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

From Page 38. - Beef Leadership Council.

affect my family and farmers in our area, but with many issues I am gaining a better perspective about what is happening around the United States and how each producer has their own issues that they are facing. It is helping me connect the dots between the segments of our industry and learn how vital it is to have a voice speaking up on your behalf here in DC. The staff at the DC office are very passionate about the issues that they work on and do their best to ensure that they are listening to members. They often reference the NCBA Policy Book (which gets updated and voted on by delegates at every convention I believe) to see exactly what members had to say about different issues. I am five weeks in so far and I have already learned so much about the industry that I had little to no knowledge of prior to this experience.» Madison Slaven, BLC Vice President.

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2016 Bull and Female Sale Please Visit Our Website For A Listing Of Bulls And Females www.edgewoodangus.com

BULLS SIRED BY THESE AND OTHER LEADING SIRES (From left to right top) Dwight E. Houff, Robert W. Manly. (From left to right bottom) Richard G. Saacke, Max James Tappero.

See Article on Page 12.

1 5t h A n n u a l

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PAGE 42, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

Shelton Angus - Dogwood Farm - Locust Level

Fall Sale Saturday, November 19, 2016 85 Performance Tested Angus Bull DataEnhanced with 50K Genomic 12:30 P.M. Testing G&E Sale Facility Includes A Select Set Spring Yearling Gretna, VA

BASIN PAYWEIGHT 1682 14 SONS SELL

DEER VALLEY ALL IN 13 SONS SELL

TOUR OF DUTY 9 SONS SELL

CONNEALY COMRADE 1385 6 SONS SELL

There Bulls and More Like Them Sell. LLF 922 Weigh Up ET 529 - + 14 CED, -1.3 BW, +62 WW, +115 YW, +31M LLF 326 ALL IN 509 - +9 CED, -.4 BW, +69 WW, +120 YW, +32M WHS Payweight 96D - +8 CED, -.1 BW, +70 WW, +120 YW, +40 M LLF Payweight 571 - +9 CED, -.3 BW, +68 WW, +117 YW, +31M WHS ALL IN 62D - +15 CED, -1.4 BW, +64 WW, +115 YW, +34M DWF TopHand of A30 C6 - +8 CED, +.2 BW, +68 WW, +115 YW, +27M DWF Comrade of A32 C3 - +16 CED, -3.1 BW, +66 WW, +113 YW, +34M WHS LimeLight 29D - +13 CED, -1.3 BW, +66 WW, +113 YW, +27M WHS PayWeight 41D - +11 CED, -.5 BW, +64 WW, +110 YW, +35M Also offering a select group of pairs, bred cows, and herd building heifers like these: WHS ALL IN Lass D2 - +9 CED, 0 BW, +60 WW, +105 YW, +30M WHS Traction Lass D6 - +3 CED, +3.1 BW, +60 WW, +106 YW, +42M Both Heifers are ET Material Sisters to WHS LimeLight 64V

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Mike McDowell Locust Level Farm 434-575-4850

Marty Winn Dogwood Farm 276-732-1247

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THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN, NOVEMBER 2016, PAGE 43

PAGE 44, NOVEMBER 2016, THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

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