TAA_WINTER_26web by Today's Publishing Inc.

These Bulls Are Made For Walkin’.

Walking bulls is an important part of our program. It lets us evaluate key traits that aren’t always reflected in a picture or numbers, particularly structure and docility - two of the most talkedabout traits when discussing bulls with our customers.

98% of our calf crop is sired by bulls we are proud to walk south of Vermilion.

KOB 32N ADVANCE X SIERA 136H

ELK RIDGE ALPINE 10N ELK RIDGE SUMMIT 4N

ELK RIDGE ALPINE ET 15N ELK RIDGE CLIFF HANGER 11N

Powerful Genetics for Performance & Profit JPM FARMS Selling FARMS JPM

V - V

Semen on ELLINGSON OPEN RANGE

Ellingson Open Range was a top selling bull in Ellingson’s 2022 production sale from the first calf crop of Ellingson Rangeland. Open Range will improve overall maternal qualities, structural integrity, fertility, and calving ease with extra performance. He is a direct son of EA Bells Girl 2181, the iconic donor that was the ‘Pick of the Herd” in 2020, selected by Ingram Angus. There are five full sisters to Open Range retained in the Ellingson donor program. At the 2021 sale, a maternal sister. EA Bells Girl 7617 produced the Lot 1 top selling Ellingson Badlands 0285, this pathfinder dam has also produced Preeminent, Progressive, Elite and Brickhouse. a true testament to her maternal excellence. Open Range has proved himself to be a calving ease sire mostly because of his phenotype. Smooth shouldered with an authentic Angus breed character and gender specific traits. Open Range sires offspring with that beautiful next extension and proud look. he really stamps them. Used heavily in the Ellingson program. we share ownership with EA. At the 2025 EA production sale. Open Ranges full sister. Bells Girl 1022. was the dam of the $110 ,000 and $57,000 high selling bulls. a true testament to the influence this bloodline will have in the future. Semen is for sale on Open Range

& FEMALE

2 PM | Parkbeg Ranch | HWY #1 MARCH

First sons of ELLINGSON PROFILE

Ellingson Prolfic x EA Emblynette 6409 Power and Performance Galore. Offering the first sons of Ellingson Profile Flushmate to Ellingson Prosper. These ones are pretty special!

Sitz Barricade 632F x Sitz Henrietta Pride Y2

We are proud to offer our first set of sons sired by Kade and the great female Henrietta Pride Y2. Thank you to Nordal Angus for partnering on this outstanding sire!

Sons of ELLINGSON OPEN RANGE

Ellingson Rangeland x EA Bells Girl 2181

His full sibling is EA Bells Girl 1064 and Maternal sister is EA Bells Girl 7617

Sitz Henrietta Pride Y2

Red Wilbar Hennessy x Red Running JR Wyoming

Red Six Mile John Wick x Red Duff Red Bear

THE REAL WORLD

OUR COMMERCIAL MARKET PLACE

BY CHRIS POLEY

“By any measure, we are living in historic times in the cattle business.”

Cattle prices today are at levels many of us once only talked about as “pipe dreams.” For producers who have stayed in the business through the last decade of razor-thin margins, drought, rising input costs, and more than a few sleepless nights, these prices are not a fluke or a stroke of luck—they are earned. They are a long-overdue reward for perseverance.

There were years when it felt like everything was stacked against cattle producers. Feed costs climbed, land prices rose, labor got harder to find, and profit margins were so tight they left little room for error. Many good operators downsized or exited altogether. Those who stayed did so because they believed in the business, believed in beef, and believed that cycles eventually turn. Today’s market is proof that they were right.

What makes this moment even more remarkable is that it isn’t driven by a short-term event. The fundamentals behind these high prices are real, and they are global. We are facing a worldwide beef shortage at the same time the U.S. cow herd sits at historic lows. Rebuilding that herd will not happen overnight. Expansion takes time, capital, and people—and right now, young ranchers willing and able to take on that expansion are in short supply.

That shortage of new entrants matters. An aging producer base and high barriers to entry mean herd expansion will be slower and more cautious than in past cycles. As a result, the traditional beef cycle is likely to be stretched out. Fewer cows, slower expansion, and steady demand point to a future where cattle prices remain strong longer than many expect. While markets will always fluctuate, the outlook for beef producers remains encouraging.

With that backdrop, spring bull sale season is arriving at an important moment. The bulls we buy this year will influence our herds for years to come, and in a market like this, the return on genetic investment has never been more visible. Updating your herd bull battery is one of the most direct ways to fully capture the value of today’s market and position your operation for the future.

High calf prices magnify the value of better genetics. Growth, carcass quality, feed efficiency, and maternal traits all matter more when every extra pound and every premium counts. A higherquality bull doesn’t just sire better calves—he multiplies value across the entire calf crop year after year. In today’s environment, that return comes faster and more reliably than ever before.

The reality is this: it is easier to invest in herd bulls today than it was just a few years ago. Record calf prices have changed the math. Don’t forget record cull prices as well. Trading an older or marginal herd bull has never penciled out better. When you factor in what that cull bull is worth today, the net cost of upgrading genetics is often far less than it appears at first glance.

Buying a $12,000 herd bull today is, in many cases, easier than buying a $6,000 bull was just a few years ago. The calves he sires are worth more, the market is rewarding quality, and the payback period is shorter. In a business where margins have historically been tight, this is a rare window where investing aggressively makes sense.

The real world of the cattle business is never without risk. Weather, markets, and global events will always keep us humble. But right now, the opportunity in front of cattle producers is real. Those who endured the lean years are finally seeing the rewards, and those who make smart, forward-looking decisions today will be best positioned for whatever comes next.

CHAROLAIS BULLS SIRED BY CML Lanza SOS Duke Steppler Knight SVY Landon Steppler Exotic

BLACK ANGUS BULLS SIRED BY SAV International Bar H Turning Point Duralta Fort Worth Bar H Open Country RED ANGUS BULLS SIRED BY Red Wilbar Smokin Hot Red XXX Mikin Waves Red Six Mile Outsiders

OUR BULLS

• All bulls born, bred & developed right here at MRL

• Large sire groups 1/2 and 3/4 brothers Penfulls of uniform bulls in every category

• Sight Unseen Buyer’s Program (Can’t make it sale day, give us a call. Almost 25% of our bulls sell SUS. Many repeat customers year after year.)

• Semen evaluated and guaranteed

• Free Delivery in Western Canada. Cost sharing to the East

• Our trailer is most likely going right past your gate.)

• Sound rugged Bulls developed on a high roughage ration (Born, bred and fed to work and stay working)

• Extra age bulls ready to cover some ground. Offering 60 May/June coming Two Year Olds and 140 January/February born yearlings.

• Genetically engineered to excel for the commercial cattleman.

• Calving ease, performance and packed full of maternal traits.

OUR 50+ YEAR LEGACY

For over 50 years we have been committed to and focused on providing herd bulls that will excel for commercial cowboys. The strength of our offering has always been our cowherd! 50 years in the making, 800 head strong in a competitive environment with 2 breed lines and 2 calving intervals. We have multiplied our most productive cow families based on old fashioned production merit under ranch conditions. Our breeding program is not influenced by the show ring or by the flavour of the month, but rather genetics that work for every-day cattlemen that depend on the things that pay the bills! Live, vigorous calves at birth, pounds at weaning, feed conversion and all-around maternal merit. Herdbulls designed by ranchers for ranchers. We are truly honoured to have many of the most progressive cattle outfits across North America source their herd bulls here at MRL year after year. Give us a call, text or email for a full color catalogue or plan a tour through our bull pens. Come see for yourself what keeps the commercial cowboys coming back year after year.

AT THE RANCH

CARIEVALE, SK (HEATED SALES ARENA)

Lee: (306) 483-8067

Dave: (306) 483-8660

Jim: (306) 483-7986

Sale Barn: (306) 928-2011

F: (306)

Crescent Creek Angus

Vet’s Advice

By Roy Lewis,

PREVENTING BULL/BULL CALF INJURIES

Calving season is upon us and I know calving issues have been greatly reduced over the years. Birthweights and calving ease are things we can mostly control. The things we can’t control are malpresentations, which need to be recognized first and sorted out. I know this will be a review for most of you but reviewing things is never a bad thing. There are some cows that can deliver a calf with a foot back but these are very rare indeed so most have to be helped. One still needs to have sharp observation skills knowing when a cow is not acting right or has been straining for an hour with no progress one should examine her. Then there are the instances where one recognizes only one foot is protruding out the birth canal or when only the head is presented. These are obvious signs the cow is in trouble and the quicker we can intervene the better.

With a forward presentation there needs to be three things present. If two feet with the head just behind are not present one must go searching. These cases will require some work and manipulation inside the birth canal so use two obstetrical sleeves held up with elastics or held on with a calving suit. The choice is yours but the bottom-line is being able to clean up the cow appropriately and keep yourself, especially your arms, very clean. If doing this by yourself it is best to use a maternity pen and have the tail tied to one side. I like booster cable clamps which will give way if the cow goes down etc. To make it easier on yourself try and have the cow standing for all manipulations.

When one is looking for a missing head or leg back take some time to explore and find out where the missing part is. If the head is back which side is it turned to or is it underneath. Which leg is back and how far back is it. I have had, over the years, many farmers phone with what they thought was a backwards calf only to find the head was pushed so far around the calf appeared to be coming backwards.

An easy way to determine back versus front legs is with front legs, the first two joints should bend the same way. Mistakes are made when a producer feels the elbow joint, which is the third joint on the front leg, and jumps to the conclusion that it is the hock on the back leg. This is a common mistake.

Depending on what is protruding, to get room to lift up a retracted leg one must repel the other leg and head further back into the birth canal. This will take potentially lots of lube and you having to fight against the cow’s contractions. An epidural may help in some situations but most are done without. If you have caught the cow early it may be a matter of going in and pulling the retracted foot up. Make sure and cup around the hoof so as not to poke a hole in the cows uterus. Once you get all three things lined up then proceed on with the normal calving.

Sometimes the head and one leg are both through the vulval lips. This means the missing leg is considerably repelled and if the calf is still alive the whole mass must be pushed into the vagina to get room. Severe ones may need a C-section if calf is still alive or a fetotomy by your veterinarian if the calf has died but the vast majority can be pushed in and turned into a normal delivery. Veterinarians now use 10 cc of ephinephrine given in the muscle to relax the uterus. You would have in your emergency kit for allergic reactions. Just like vertinarians find this relaxes the uterus so will you if you try it.

Calves which have died in utero, I find it is common for a limb to be down possibly from lack of rigidity. They need correcting to at least get the calf out so the cow may go on to be able to adopt a twin or orphan.

When the head is back one must again figure out which side it is deflected to and which direction it will be pulled around. The quicker it is found the easier this should be but one can use the legs as a handle to repel the calf in to open up the room in the uterus. Several techiques include cupping the hands under the head and swinging it around to grabbing the calf’s nostrils, to using a head snare. An extra long chain properly placed through the mouth and behind the ears will mimic a head snare. There are commercial head snares you can buy. All techniques will depend on the force necessary to get the head to pull around. Once corrected I always check to see if the calf is alive by putting my hand way inside its mouth and see if I get a bite or swallow gag reflex.

I am sure you realize malpresentations are increased with twins so always check for a second calf. Recognize your limits and if getting no significant progress after 20 minutes call for backup. This may be a more experienced person or your veterinarian whichever you feel is more appropriate. With every calving the goal is always to get a live calf but the other goal should also be to look after the cow. Be clean to avoid contamination and facilitate breeding for next year.

Use appropriate painkillers where described by your veterinarian. Any cows assisted in any way unless it was very easy warrants NSAIDs as well as to the calf. Lets hope this calving season goes well but remember when malpresentations do happen, what you can do to help can make a real difference in the final outcome. Have the necessary supplies such as chains, handles, head snare, gloves, surgical soap and lubricant there if you need them and good luck. Keep yourself and the cow/heifer clean on the back as the other goal is rebreeding. Have a great 2026 calving season everyone.

Advice

EIGHTH ANNUAL

Black Angus Long Yearling Bulls & Purebred Bred Heifer Production Sale

FEBRUARY 5, 2025 1:00 PM at the farm, Shaunavon, SK

Canadian Angus Association Leads the Way with Research and Development Project:

Using A.I. and Camera Technology to develop phenotyping systems to measure traits for members

There are three main areas of focus in this project with associated outcomes:

• Developing camera and A.I. technology to help measure and record subjective traits

Along with traditional classification by trained Holstein Canada Classifiers, we will develop technology that can help producers collect standardized and accurate information on subjective traits like teat score, udder score, foot angle score, claw set score, body condition score and docility. This technology can be used to collect many more traits and measurements.

Canadian Angus Association ‘Phenomics’ Project Invitation to Participate

• Developing camera and A.I. technology to help measure and record carcass quality traits

Included in the project objectives is collecting both ultrasound scan data and abattoir data on carcass quality traits. Members who do not currently use ultrasound scanning, or receive carcass quality information back from the abattoir can contribute to this project’s objective. Both ultrasound scan and abattoir carcass quality information on Angus and Angus cross animals will contribute significantly to more accurate GEPDs for these traits.

• Developing camera and A.I. technology to help measure and record health traits

Expanding on our previous work to characterize high immune response in Canadian Angus animals, this project will allow us to collect additional phenotypes for traits that impact animal health and welfare.

Acknowledgements

This project has been made possible by major investments from Agriculture and Agrifood Canada (AAFC) through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).

Canadian Angus Association members wanting to participate

We have an ongoing project to support members collecting information on subject traits, health traits, and carcass quality traits. If you are interested in having a trained classifier measure and record mature cow traits (mature cow weight, height, body condition score, docility, claw set and foot angle) please contact us at klatimer@cdnangus.ca or 403-537-5604. Mature cow traits must be collected within 45 days (+/-) of taking weaning weights on their calves. This service is provided at no cost to you in part by funding from Agriculture and Agrifood Canada and Sustainable CAP.

Canadian Angus members who would like a trained scorer to measure and record subjective traits for mature cows this fall (+/- 45 days of calf weaning weight), or on yearling animals next winter, can contact the office to schedule a classifier or ultrasound scan technician and a High Immune Response Test technician. To participate in the project please contact Dr. Kajal Latimer at klatimer@cdnangus.ca.

Red Cockburn

Red Dwajo Mack

Red Cockburn Elevate 2065

Red Bar MM Convoy 127K

Red Dwajo Mack 4F

Red

Cudlobe Versatile 99L

Perrot Shooter 31H

Hoover Know How

Basin Safe Deposit

Run N Gun 85J

Northern View

KG Justified 3023

Cloudburst 37K

Crescent Creek

Echelon 155K Eastondale

Canadian Junior Angus and Young Breeder

OPPORTUNITIES

S ch O la RS h IPS

Foundation Legacy Scholarship | Deadline: January 5

Three awards totalling $10,000 will be presented to Canadian Junior Angus members recognizing overall academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and industry knowledge. Awards in the amounts of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 will be presented.

Dick Turner Memorial Award | Deadline: May 15

The Dick Turner Memorial Award was established after the passing of legendary Angus icon Dick Turner. During his lifetime, Dick committed 55 years of his career to livestock publishing and successfully promoted and advertised the Angus breed specifically through the Canadian Aberdeen Angus News magazine. One $1,000 scholarship is presented annually.

a wa R d S

Junior Angus Stockman of the Year Nominations due April 15

The Junior Angus Stockman of the Year award recognizes outstanding young cattlemen who are constantly growing their capacity by actively working with their Angus cattle, promoting their operation and cattle to the public, growing their knowledge of nutrition, genetics and breeding, and producing/selling quality Angus cattle. Five finalists will be selected from the nominations and will each receive $250. The winner will receive a $5,000 bursary to be used for genetics, cattle supplies/equipment, and/or training, along with travel assistance to attend Showdown.

Outstanding Young Angus Breeder Nominations due April 15

The Outstanding Young Angus Breeder award was developed to recognize an Angus breeder between the ages of 22 and 30 who has demonstrated a desire to stay involved in the Angus business based on their involvement within the breed up to this point in his/her career. The winner will receive $5,000.

Robert C. McHaffie Junior Ambassador

Applications due April 30

The Junior Ambassador acts as a role model for youth and represents members of the Canadian Angus Association. It is an opportunity to network with leaders in the agriculture industry and learn from them. Five finalists are selected from the applications and they each receive a $1,000 scholarship and a finalist buckle as well as assistance to attend Convention where they will compete for the Ambassador title. Ambassadors have the opportunity to attend at least one international event and various major agricultural events in Canada.

For more information contact Belinda Wagner at (306) 537-1518 or at bwagner@cdnangus.ca www.cdnangus.ca/foundation

Canadian Junior Angus Scholarships | Deadline: May 15

A total of three scholarships will be awarded in the amounts of $3,500, $2,500, and $1,500.

Brian Good Memorial Scholarship | Deadline: October 15

The Brian Good Memorial Scholarship was established after the passing of Brian Good, “Mr. Angus”. Brian was the commercial connection in the Angus industry for more than 20 years and believed strongly in supporting our youth. Two awards totalling $5,000 ($3,000 for first and $2,000 for second) will be presented to a post-secondary student recognizing overall livestock industry commitment, community involvement and leadership activities.

BURS a RIES

GOAL Travel Bursaries | Deadline:

January 1

Bursaries of up to $1000 will be awarded to deserving CJA members from anywhere in Canada. Bursaries must be used within the same year awarded to help offset travel and registration costs for attending the GOAL Conference.

U.S. Exchange Program | Deadline: May 10

Canadian Junior Angus members have the opportunity to attend Junior Red Angus and National Junior Angus events each year, and in return members of the JRA and NJAA attend Showdown and/or GOAL.

Showdown Travel & Trucking Bursaries

Deadline: May 25 & June 1

Bursaries of up to $750 will be awarded to six deserving CJA members from anywhere in Canada. Bursaries must be used within the same year awarded to help offset travel costs for attending Showdown. Trucking assistance is also available for those who travel over 1,000 km one way.

Self-Directed National or International Travel Bursaries

The Self-Directed National or International Travel Bursaries were developed to assist young Angus breeders with financial travel assistance for conferences or events related to the beef cattle industry. For members aged 18–30.

MARCH ‘26 25th

S I R E S I N C L U D E : HTA SPIDERMAN 9103G, LEGACY’S HULK HOGAN 50J, HTA COYOTE CREEK 3133L, HVA RIVER 873L, LT BADGE 1538 PLD, SPARROWS WHEATON 101J, AND MORE!

BIG SHIFTS IN QUALITY GRADES

The fed cattle trade has undergone a tumultuous ride in the past two months. Weekly fed steer prices averaged $237/cwt. the second week in October, then rapidly declined $28/cwt. by the third week in November. Last week’s trade featured a sizeable recovery with the five-area steer average up $10/ cwt., landing at $221/cwt. with prices as high as $226/cwt. in Kansas. Cash trade was limited to fewer than three packers in Texas, triggering confidentiality rules by USDA regulations. This rule is typically only triggered in the Colorado region where it’s the norm for trade to be reported for just two packers. The total harvested head count was dramatically higher last week as the 600,000 head eclipsed the prior week’s holiday schedule by 102,000 head.

Before last week’s strong upward move in the spot cash cattle price, packer margins were calculated somewhere north of $50/head. This helped to incentivize packers to ramp up harvest levels, coupled with the increased volume needed to fulfill pre-holiday grocery store beef obligations. The cattle price recovery quickly wiped out much of the packer margin, setting that closer to breakeven as this week got underway.

Carcass cutout values began December with a cheapening trend in continuation of the downward pattern established at the beginning of November. Many observers are decrying weakening beef demand due to the lower price trend. However, softer cutout values were recorded for the month of November in four out of five of the last four years, with the exception of 2024. December price trends are mixed in the last five years with 2022 and 2024 charting higher prices and the remaining three years trending lower.

Cutout price spreads are mixed with the CAB premium above Choice at a very reasonable $16.81/cwt., down $3/cwt. last week. The Choice/Select spread remains relatively wide at $20.06/cwt. in Urner Barry’s data last week. This level is much lower than a year ago, as the Select grade share of fed cattle has slipped to just 10.9% of the carcass supply. Customers for Select grade product are finding their orders shorted while distributors have told them to get on board with “at least” USDA Choice moving forward.

Big Shifts in Quality Grades

The 2025 quality grade trend tracked the USDA Prime grade a full percentage point higher than the prior year through August, averaging 11.5%. Since then, the Prime grade trend has defied seasonal expectations, normally setting a course toward a fall low in both Choice and Prime grade

By Paul Dykstra

percentages. Instead, the Prime share steadily increased in a punctuated departure to the upside, averaging 12.1% since August. While the unseasonal swing to the upside is impressive, the past four weeks of data add more emphasis to the chart. In November, Nebraska packers harvested three weeks of cattle above 14% Prime with the final week spiking to 17.2%. This stands to reason as the northern feeding region is currently carrying the most market-ready supply of cattle with the heaviest carcass weights, indicating that days on feed are pushing grade upward. Record-heavy industry carcass weights are a nationwide trend, but led by northern cattle.

On the other hand, Texas feedyards currently have the least occupancy with their cattle inventory hindered by the absence of Mexican cattle. Even so, the Texas grade trend is also charting much richer this season. While the state’s Prime grade is exceptional compared to history, averaging 7.8% since June, the uptrend in USDA Choice is notable. The Texas Choice grade average moved little on either side of 64% through October this year. Yet the last four weeks saw Choice carcasses jump to average almost 69% of the total, while the Prime share gave no ground, averaging 8.1% in the past month.

A combination of factors in Texas creates ample cause for the richer grade trend. First, the average Mexican feeder cattle supply has lower genetic potential for marbling. Absence of these cattle in the current Texas carcass mix easily pushes quality grade higher in the state. As well, the increase in beef x dairy cattle over the past several years has brought the grade higher with refined terminal genetics introduced through this substantial Texas cattle supply. Finally, it’s understood that some northern cattle are shipping to Texas to be harvested as the northern feedlot sector is heavy on marketready head counts.

A larger share of Upper 2/3’s Choice and Prime carcasses in the Angus-type cattle supply is also helping to hold the CAB carcass certification rate a percentage point higher than a year ago, averaging 36% for the past six weeks. Record-heavy carcass weights featuring average steer carcasses at 988 lb. are keeping a lid on brand acceptance rates. While richer average marbling across the weekly fed harvest suggests we should see even higher brand acceptance rates, there has been an increase in carcasses disqualified because they exceed the brand’s maximum 1,100 lb. carcass weight.

SUPREME CHAMPION

KAYR KEYNOTE 7600N

RBM Keystone H41 x KAYR Annabelle 812U

KAYR OUTLAW 800N

KAY-R Frontier 815L x KAYR Fiona 800F

KAYR COUNTING UP 308N RCR Counting Up 1332 P x KAYR Downtown 308L

KAYR HIDEOUT 728N

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SONS SELL - KAY-R FRONTIER 815L

KAYR MARKSMAN 211N SKW Marksman 95L x KAYR Miss Classic 211K

KAYR IRON HORSE 1801N

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KAYR DARK HORSE 19N Silverstream Padra P7 x KAYR Covergirl 26Y

KAY-R CHAROLAIS

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Kasey: 780-656-6400 // Kord: 780-650-2364 House Phone: 780-358-2360

Cedarlea Tapadero 17G x KAYR Miss 815F

HEALTHIER SOILS AND STRONGER HERDS

- By BRILEY RICHARD , FREELANCE WRITER FOR CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF

Every grazing decision leaves a mark on the land and affects the herd that depends on it. Effective land stewardship goes beyond isolated practices, requiring an understanding of how each decision affects forage growth, cattle performance and long-term stocking rates. When land is the foundation of the business, producers are more likely to invest time and resources into managing it intentionally.

Certified Angus Beef’s Kirsten Nickles, Ph.D., and Hugh Aljoe, director of ranches, outreach and partnerships at Noble Research Institute, discussed land stewardship practices at the 2025 Angus Convention in Kansas City, Mo., in November.

“When we start thinking about land stewardship, think about the legacy of the land,” Aljoe said. “All of us want to be more profitable. All of us would like to see our land improve. But how do we go about intentionally making it happen?”

Aljoe expressed how management directly affects soil biology, forage recovery and carrying capacity. Concepts such as maintaining adequate residual forage, shortening grazing periods and extending recovery periods were explained as essential tools for producers who seek to protect and improve their resources.

“We want to minimize the disturbance, and we want to minimize the impact,” Aljoe said. “If we’re going to be grazing, we want to graze for a short period of time.” Noble Research Institute research shows how adaptive grazing can dramatically increase grazing days.

In the study, cattle moved daily or multiple times per day produced significantly more available forage compared to herds rotated less frequently.

“I’m getting 43 percent more grazing days through this methodology over our prescriptive [grazing] approach, which is a good rest rotation,” Aljoe said. “That’s where the power of applied adaptive grazing really begins.”

What are the first steps someone can take to move toward more sustainable land stewardship? First, evaluate your stocking rate as the most critical decision made each year. Key drivers of profitability and land resilience include managing below carrying capacity and adjusting numbers based on rainfall variability.

Using a region’s typical rainfall pattern, Aljoe explained that producers often plan around an average, which rarely occurs. Some years come in well above and others fall short, meaning forage supply varies more than many expect. The goal is to understand the range of rainfall across many seasons and adjust stocking numbers so the herd stays in harmony with what the land can produce.

Tools that track soil health and grazing patterns reveal how small changes influence forage recovery and longterm productivity. By documenting pasture conditions, tracking decisions and assessing outcomes, you can better identify opportunities to strengthen both land and herd performance.

“Ranch management begins with intentional land stewardship, and its applied practices that align with soil health principles,” Aljoe said. “So how do you know when they’re messing up? Which one is the weakest ecosystem process that needs to be addressed first? That’s what you get a taste of as you go into these Land Stewardship modules.”

Noble Research Institute, in collaboration with Certified Angus Beef, offers a free online Land Stewardship course designed for producers looking to strengthen their land management practices. The course teaches you how to achieve healthier soil, more resilient grazing land and greater profitability through better land management, reducing inputs and optimizing natural resources.Learn more at https://cabcattle.com/land-stewardship/

Noble Research Institute shared data-backed management practices for land stewardship.

Carson Scholarship Winner receiving the Bob Gordon Memorial Award from Bruce

Manitoba Youth Beef Round-Up 2025 Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to Carson Baker of Neepawa, MB for winning the $ 1500. Scholarship presented by Manitoba Youth Beef Roundup.

Carson Baker of Neepawa was the recipient of the 2025 Manitoba Youth Beef Roundup Scholarship. Carson grew up at Neepawa and is in his second year at Lakeland College taking a Diploma in Agribusiness. Carson has attended and participated at Round Up for 11 years. Carson is active in his community but something he is very proud of is, the high school hockey team held Cancer Care fundraising games that raised over $ 5,000.00 in 2 seasons, which he was on the hockey team at that time. The money raised was donated to various cancer careunits around Manitoba, with the majority staying in Neepawa. After college Carson plans to be involved in the Agriculture industry while continuing to have his own herd of cattle.

Congratulations Carson!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Join us Roundup 2026 in Neepawa, Manitoba July 31, August 1 and 2nd, 2026. Open to Junior Livestock Members who are interested in an educational weekend with competitions and cattle shows.

For updates on facebook or www.mbyouthbeefroundup.weebly.com

Gordon, for the Top Beef Judge of the Manitoba Youth Beef Round-up

TRACKING PREMIUMS TO THE SOURCE

The fed cattle market continued the downtrend last week as pressure from Live Cattle futures and lower boxed beef values weighed on the total beef complex. The larger volume of cash cattle traded in the north with Nebraska and Iower prices averaging $224/cwt. for the week. Much smaller negotiated head counts in the south were led by Kansas feedyards receiving an average of $230/cwt. with Texas right behind at $228/cwt.

Total harvest volume increased on the week by 16,000 head to reach 576,000 head total. Just 10,000 head of the increase came from fed steers and heifers, putting that weekly total at 459,000 head.

Carcass weight data remains unavailable despite the government reopening but estimates are that average steer/heifer weights should now be near or above 950 lb. Excellent feedlot pen conditions and moderate October-November temperatures have likely added to the year-over-year weight increases which have averaged +24 pounds over last year.

Carcass cutout values have been weaker in November, a pattern which is not atypical for the month. The comprehensive cutout has averaged a 3% decline from the beginning to the end of November in the past three years. With the Thanksgiving holiday coming up next week it’s unlikely that spot market beef business will be sharp enough to support upward wholesale beef prices this week or next.

Tracking Premiums to the Source Merchandising carcasses is not an easy task. If you ask any ranch-to-table producer what their largest pain points are, you are likely to hear that finding a customer for all of the end meats can be a challenge.

That producer likely has excess ground beef supplies just waiting for a customer with a similarly large need. The middle meats are typically easier to move and undersupplied in comparison.

This issue has plagued startup branded beef programs for a few decades. A solid cattle supply plan coupled with a promising marketing niche has been undercut time and time again by the inability to sell the end meats at the necessary premium to make the business model profitable.

Certified Angus Beef (CAB) faced the same challenges in the formative years, as the first branded beef label set out to garner specification-based premiums in a market where none existed.

Now in its 47th year, the brand has successfully carved out premiums over commodity USDA Choice from end to end of the carcass.

On a dollars per primal basis, the loin is untouchable when it comes to the CAB markup with a heavyhitting combination. Constituting 21.3% of total carcass weight, the loin’s key premiumgrabbing cuts, such as the tenderloin, strip loin and top butt, push the loin primal to the top of the carcass without fail.

By Paul Dykstra

In the brand’s 2025 fiscal year, the loin premium added $51.06 per head to CAB carcasses over Choice.

Many are surprised to learn that the chuck primal is the second largest premium contributor to the CAB carcass, calculating a $38.84 per head premium. The chuck edges out the rib’s total return simply because of its distinct weight advantage at 2.6 times that of the rib.

Interestingly, the chuck’s average CAB premium per pound over Choice has advanced such that the chuck moved up to second in the premium hierarchy as recently as 2023.

The CAB rib, unsurprisingly, captures just over double the premium per pound when compared to the chuck. The rib added $30.39 per head over Choice in the fiscal 2025 data, contributing just 11.4% of total carcass weight but 18% of the total premium contribution to the carcass.

The round is the last of the four major carcass primals when it comes to the brand’s premium contribution. At 22.3% of carcass weight, the round has traditionally offered less premium opportunity, as these cuts are often less tender than others, often utilized for roasts and ground beef. These factors tend to limit the CAB round premium, landing at $17.68 per head value-add for the year.

Total CAB premiums per head quickly diminish as weight rapidly declines across the brisket, plate and flank. Premiums per pound are quite attractive for briskets and plates, nearing $0.13/lb. for the year.

Yet those two combined are just 12% of total carcass weight, limiting their impact as compared to the much heavier primals that carry even larger premiums per pound.

JENKINS, VELISEK AND FORKER WIN BIG AT ANGUS CONVENTION

- By MOLLY LOUGHRIDGE, ANGUS COMMUNICATIONS

Angus breeders and beef industry enthusiasts gathered in Kansas City, Missouri, Oct. 31- Nov. 2 for the 2025 Angus Convention; and three fortunate individuals left with grand prizes to help them expand their operations’ potential.

Though some may consider it the luck of the draw, Dale Jenkins of Texas said winning the Trans Ova grand-prize giveaway package couldn’t have come at a better time. After experiencing a devastating loss of land in the Smokehouse Creek fires in 2024, and the destruction of several key structures when tornadoes hit their operation’s headquarters in 2025, the prize is a timely blessing in a season of renewal.

“I’m a small seedstock producer, and we lost so many acres in the fires, so I’m in the rebuilding phase,” said Jenkins. The Trans Ova service voucher offers advanced reproductive technology, including one genetic preservation, an IVF cycle, and up to five fresh implants into Trans Ova or client recipients. Though Jenkins hasn’t utilized embryo transfer in his herd since 2014, he recently explored the value and potential these tools would bring to his operation.

“I was already thinking last spring that I needed some embryos frozen, but I didn’t have any recipient cows lined up,” he said. “While I’m still facing the challenge of rebuilding our facilities and fencing, building our herd is the good kind of challenge I’m looking forward to. It’s going to be perfectly timed for our operation.”

The second grand prize give-away winner was Doug Velisek of Maryland, who took home a John Deere Gator™ XUV 845M Crossover Utility Vehicle, valued at $20,250. Doug and his wife Pam know first-hand the value a utility vehicle has on their cattle operation.

“We have a small one now, and it really is an everyday piece of machinery for us,” Velisek said. With wet ground in the East, using larger equipment proves too heavy for most day-to-day chores.

“We put a cube feeder on the back, spray fencelines, drag pasture, and use it to take people out to look at cattle when they come to visit,” Velisek said. “It really is a special part of our farm.”

A new Priefert Model S04 Squeeze Chute will be added to the cattle handling system at Braden and Elisabeth Forker’s facilities near Columbus, Nebraska.

The Forkers recently began building their own cowcalf operation, alongside Elisabeth’s veterinary practice, and are eager to expand with the addition of the new equipment, which is valued at $7,161.

Priefert is a long-standing partner of the American Angus Association and its members. Sara Rader, marketing and communications specialist for Priefert, says the relationship is built on shared values, mutual trust, and a commitment to supporting the cattle industry.

“For decades, Priefert equipment has played a role in helping Angus producers work safer, smarter, and more efficiently, and this partnership continues to create real value for members by connecting them with reliable tools that support the success of their operations,” Rader said. “We’re proud to stand alongside the American Angus Association and its members as we work together to strengthen the future of the beef industry.”

Caitlyn Brandt, director of events and junior activities said these giveaways would not be possible without the continued support of these three sponsors.

“We value the partnership of John Deere, Trans Ova, and Priefert and know our members use these brands on their operations regularly,” she said. “These giveaway packages contribute to our members’ success in more ways than one, and we’re grateful for the continued support these sponsors provide to Angus breeders.”

Angus Convention attendees take home exciting grand-prize giveaways.

STOCKADE ROUNDUP

GREENWOOD TIBBIE 78L

GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE

SIRE: Greenwood High Class 87H

CALF AT SIDE: Noble Standout 33N (S: Topp Standout 1072

EXHIBITED BY: Double RN Ranching Corp., Lloydminster, AB

TER-RON ELDORADO 185L

GRAND CHAMPION BULL

SIRE: Greenwood Four Mile 47J

EXHIBITED BY: Murray Ranches Ltd., Tilley, AB

Black Angus

GOLDEN OAK 1054 MAGNOLIA 435M

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE

SIRE: Merit Investment 1054J

EXHIBITED BY: Murray Ranches Ltd., Tilley, AB

KR CRUSADE 4074

RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BULL

SIRE: 8N Academy 2101

EXHIBITED BY: Justamere Farms Ltd., Lloydminster, SK

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