Archive for the ‘Industry News’ Category

Posted on June 20, 2011 - by Russell

TAHC to Discontinue Brucellosis Testing at Markets

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 17, 2011  

 

AUSTIN – The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has announced that effective August 1, 2011, government subsidized Brucellosis testing at all Texas livestock markets will be discontinued, due to a lack of funding available to pay for future testing. The TAHC will no longer enforce the requirement that all test eligible (adult) cattle be Brucellosis tested for a change of ownership within Texas.

After diligently working to eradicate Brucellosis “Bangs” from cattle for almost 50 years, on February 1, 2008, the USDA declared Texas Brucellosis free. “The discontinuation of brucellosis testing will not affect Texas’ Brucellosis-free state status,” Dr. Dee Ellis, State Veterinarian, said. “We remind Texas producers, marketers and veterinarians however, that maintaining a Brucellosis-free Texas requires constant awareness and vigilance. Although the TAHC will no longer enforce the requirement for Brucellosis testing of adult cattle, cattle producers are encouraged to discuss the issue with their veterinary practitioner prior to purchasing replacement cattle,” Ellis said.

Brucellosis is a bacterial disease of cattle that can cause abortions, weak calves and low milk production. Humans can also catch brucellosis (undulant fever) most commonly by consuming unpasteurized milk products or handling contaminated birthing material when assisting with difficult calving situations in infected cows.

 

For questions or concerns regarding the termination of Brucellosis testing at livestock markets, please contact your local region office. Contact information for regional TAHC offices are as follows:

 

Region 1 (Amarillo, TX) Phone: 806-354-9335 Region Director: Dr. Brad Williams Supervising Inspector: Bob Young	Region 5 (Beeville, TX) Phone: 361-358-3234 Regional Director: Dr. James Lenarduzzi Supervising Inspector: Howard Helmers
Region 2 (Hempstead, TX) Phone: 979-921-9481 Regional Director: Dr. Mark Michalke Supervising Inspector: Dwayne Easley	Region 6 (Lampasas, TX) Phone: 512-556-6277 Region Director: Dr. Pete Fincher Supervising Inspector: James R. Dickison

 

 

Posted on June 17, 2011 - by Russell

Types of Cattle and Their Place in the Market

I have been in the Longhorn business for over 30 yrs. I have seen a lot of ups and downs in that amount time, including the high cattle prices of the oil boom era of the early 1980’s as well as the lows after the oil bust in the late 80’s and early 90’s. The industry went from seeing sale averages of $3,500 and up to watching averages fall to $600-$1,000. Before the fall of the market, the high-selling lots at most sales where in excess of $10,000 with several world record prices set during this time period. There were bull syndications being done on top bulls in the industry at the time in amounts exceeding $2 million.

 

When all this started coming to an end there were several things that help keep the industry going which included a good market for recreational cattle (ropers) and commercial cattlemen’s use of Longhorn cattle. Mainly Longhorn bulls to breed first calf heifers of other breeds. This was in part due to a strong national promotional advertising effort made by the association and breeders to appeal to the commercial cattlemen about the benefits of using Longhorn genetics. A good market ($800-$1,200) for the solid colored Longhorn bulls was one of the results. Bull calves had value not just as ropers, but as a first calf heifer bulls. This added to the bull calf’s value as a roper as well because there were fewer bull calves being sold as ropers. This promotional campaign also resulted in a good market for lower end cattle for use in commercial cow/calf operations. With a solid and realistic market price established for ropers, bulls and the lower end, the market for the better cattle started to slowly recover. As this started to happen more and more people started to get involved in the Longhorn industry because they could see that the Longhorn could be as profitable or more profitable than any other breed or a commercial cattle operation. This increase in interest help increase prices of Longhorn cattle at all levels of quality but it started at the bottom and worked its way up. 

 

In recent years we have seen a dramatic rise in Longhorn cattle prices with high sale averages, but once again, we are seeing the prices start to fall drastically. These recent years have been like a flash back to the 1980’s. Some of the fall in our cattle prices today are out of the control of our industry and are linked to our nation’s economy and the extreme drought that is continuing to affect a large part of the US. We can however work on establishing a base value for our cattle through better marketing of the value of Longhorn genetics to the commercial cattlemen, the benefits of Longhorn Beef to the American Beef Consumer who is becoming even more health conscious. I believe it is once again time to start climbing the ladder. Starting with the bottom end and pushing upward. It worked before and I believe it can again. It will be up to the breeders to help start the climb one step at a time. The commercial cattle market is seeing record high prices for all types of cattle. Some Longhorn cattle actually have more value at a commercial sale than they do at a registered sale. This will make the climb a lot easier now that ALL cattle are selling for higher prices at commercial auction barns. 

Level One - Culls – As breeders it is our responsibility to cull our herds of inferior cattle that should not be in our breed. These are cattle that have genetic defects and are of just overall poor quality. Whether or not we breeders like to admit it we have some calves that need to be culled out of the breed. These cattle have little too no value. They do not have the body frame, volume, weight, milk production or fertility to be of use to the commercial buyer. 

Level Two – Beef Grade – These are the cattle that do not have the pedigree, conformation, or horn that a seed-stock producer would want to use. Maybe they are poor breeders, poor milkers or maybe have a bad udder. They could be of any age or sex so long as they are healthy. At this time it is up to the individual as to how they market or sell Longhorn beef. Those who sell Longhorn beef generally price their hamburger meat for around $4 per pound and up. An 800lb animal will yield about 300lbs of hamburger meat which establishes a value of $1,200 on this type of animal. There are some slaughter houses that will pay you a hanging weight price which in most cases is a better price than you will receive for the live animal at a sale into today’s current market. You can sell your beef this way without having to market your beef yourself. At registered Longhorn sales these types of cattle will currently sell for well under $1,200. In most cases the selling price will be around $400 per head which leaves little profit after paying the sale consignment fees. There are a large number of cattle that fit into this category and the next category, Cow/Calf Producer Grade. By removing these cattle from the industry it will help balance the supply and demand which will help increase the value of the Cow/Calf Producer Grade and the Registered Seed-stock cattle. 

 

Level Three - Cow/Calf Producer Grade – What is a cow/calf producer looking for in a cow? He is looking for a calf raiser, a cow that can wean a fat and healthy calf. These cattle need to have a good body, udder and be sound breeders. The cattle in this group lack good horn or pedigree to be used by most seed-stock producers. These cattle are of value to the cow/calf producer. When these types of cattle are sold in a registered sale they currently will bring about $400 per head. I know of several cases were these types of cattle have sold in a registered sale for $300-$400. The buyer then hauled these cattle straight to the local auction barn and sold the cattle, made a profit of $100-$150 per head. I have seen reports of Longhorn cows with non-longhorn sired calves sell for $550-$750.00 at some sale barns. If the base value of the Beef Grade cattle is established to be about $900-$1,200.00 for an average 800lb cow then the Cow/Calf Producer Grade cattle should be worth at least that same amount or slightly more. If they are not worth that amount on the hoof then they can be sold as beef. There are a large number of cattle that fit into this category and the next category, Registered Seed-stock cattle. By developing a market for these cattle with commercial cattle producers it will help balance the supply and demand by their offspring not being registered. This would also increase the value of the Registered Seed-stock cattle. 

 

Level Four - Registered Seed-stock Cattle – These are quality Longhorn cattle that have all the desirable Longhorn traits with good genetics, conformation and good horn development for their age (55-65”). They are used to produce the next generation of Registered Texas Longhorn Cattle. If we established a market and the value of the cattle on the lower rungs of the ladder at around $1,200 then it stands to reason that the value for Registered seed-stock should be in excess of $1,200. Currently that is not the case with most of the cattle that would fall into this category selling under $1,200. 

 

Level Five - Elite or Top End Registered Seed-stock Cattle – These are top quality Longhorn cattle that excel in all the desirable Longhorn traits for their age. These cattle have outstanding production records that show consistency in producing top quality offspring. These cattle almost always sale for a respectable price and their value is usually set by the buyers who are looking for the best of the breed. There is only a minimal percentage of the breed that would fall into this category. To produce cattle that would fit into this category should be the goal of most breeders.

 

Level Six - Collectable Cattle – These are the cattle that are the extremes in the breed with the main focus being on horn length. The value of the cattle in this category is most often determined by the numbers on a tape measure rather than the overall quality of the animal or their production. Their value is unpredictable and is set by the individual who desires to own one of the longest horn animals in the breed and willingness to pay for that privilege. Their value is not affected by the price of the cattle below them on the ladder and their prices have almost no effect on the cattle on the lower ladder rungs. Only a very small percentage of the cattle in our industry fall into this category. This also means that only a very small percentage of breeders will ever produce a cow that will end up in this category.

 

As we look at these categories of cattle within our industry a couple of very important things must be noted. One is no matter how good the breeding or breeding program is there are going to be cull cattle, but with good breeding practices and strict culling by breeders the numbers can be limited. The second is that the majority of breeders are producing cattle that end up in the middle categories of Beef Grade, Cow/Calf Producer Grade and Registered Seed-stock. The problem with this is that the supply of these types of cattle is high and the current market demand is low. In order to change this we need to decrease the number of cattle. This can be done by processing more cattle for beef and/or selling more cattle for use in a cow/calf operation, basically removing these cattle from the registered herd inventory. In recent months there has been a steady rise in beef cattle prices and a shortage of slaughter ready cattle. The increase in beef cattle prices has resulted in an increase in price for Longhorns at local auction barns. Now is the time for our associations and breeders to take advantage of these higher prices and to also increase awareness of the benefits of using Longhorn genetics by using a national promotional campaign with the goal being to increase the demand for Longhorn genetics which would increase the interest for Registered Longhorn Seed-Stock Cattle. If most of the members of our association produce cattle at are in these middle categories then one would think that the associations would be focused on helping to promote these types of cattle that make up the largest percentage of the cattle in the Association. However, as most of us know, this is not the case because the associations’ promotional focus seems to be more on the Elite or Collectable cattle. For the needed change to take place, the Longhorn industry most stop emphasizing the single trait of long horns and start focusing on the historical traits that have made this breed viable for hundreds of years.

Posted on May 15, 2011 - by Russell

Buying Cattle at Auction vs. Private Treaty

Is it better to purchase cattle at an auction sale or private treaty?

We are going to take a look at the pros and cons of these methods when purchasing cattle for your breeding program. Let’s talk about auction sales first. What is the definition of an auction? An Auction is an occasion for selling things to the highest bidder. It is a public occasion when things are sold to the people who offer the most money for them. It seems that in today’s Longhorn industry most cattle are bought and sold at auctions. In the spring there seems to be an auction every weekend. Auctions are a simple and fast way for a seller to sell cattle.

What are some of the positive reasons for purchasing at an auction?

1)      With consignment sales there is usually a larger variety of genetics or pedigrees available at an auction.

2)      These different genetics from numerous breeding programs are available in one location.

3)      At ethically run sales, you know what the true market value of the cattle are on that particular day by what the buying public is willing to pay for those cattle.

a.       There have been sales where this is not always the case. At some sales a floor or minimum has been set by the sale promoter to keep the sale average higher. They do not let the buyers set the market price for the sale.

b.      There have been other sales where the crowd attendance has not been good and bidding has been low which has allowed buyers to purchase cattle at below market prices.

4)      Making purchases at a sale where the buyer’s name is called out can be good publicity for your breeding program. You might even get your photo published in one of the breed magazines.

5)      Attending a sale is also a social event and a good way to meet other breeders.

6)      Most sales require that all cattle have health papers, so you can be somewhat assured that the cattle are healthy. 

What are some of the reasons for not buying or for being cautious when buying at an auction?

1)      Always remember that the animal is being offered for a reason.

a.       Ask yourself “why is this animal being sold?” Is this animal in the sale because it has a defect such as poor fertility, bad udder, poor quality offspring or bad habits. Have you seen this animal in several different sales within the last year? Repeat sale appearances could mean there is a problem with the animal.

b.      The animal could be in the sale simply because the seller is overstocked, is short on pasture/hay or has kept offspring out of this animal.

But how do you know which of these is the case. You must be observant when looking at the animal, ask questions of the seller if they are available and check production records.

2)      You have to make a buying decision in a matter of a few seconds before the auctioneer slams the gavel and says “sold”.

3)      You can get caught up in the bidding and end up over spending.

4)      The consignor will need a higher sale price for the animal due to their added expenses, high consignment fees and commissions that are charged by most sales.

5)      You should always be aware of who you are bidding against.  In some cases it might be a friend or someone who has been instructed to run the bidding up to the price the seller wants for that animal.

6)      At some sales a floor or minimum has been set by the sale promoter to keep the sale average higher. Sales have the right to do this, but the floor prices should be announced before the sale. This is not always done and it creates a problem for you as a buyer, because you won’t know the true market value of the cattle. Market Value: the amount that a seller could expect to obtain for property or goods sold on the open market.

7)      Sometimes you can end up traveling to a sale only to have all the cattle you are interested in sell for prices that are out of your price range. You still have the travel expense, but no cattle to show for it.

Now let’s take a look at some of the aspects, both positive and negative, of purchasing cattle by “private treaty”. Private Treaty is the sale of property according to terms negotiated between the buyer and seller. This method of selling and purchasing cattle generally only involves the seller and the buyer. There is no auctioneer, ringmen, multiple buyers or sale management company involved in this type of sale. It is more of a one-on-one approach.

What are some of the negative reasons for purchasing cattle by Private Treaty?

1)      May require a great deal of traveling in order to acquire different genetics that you are interested in adding to your program.

2)      As a prospective buyer you may feel pressured by some sellers to make a purchase. Most breeders will be happy to show you their cattle and program without pressuring you to make a purchase.

3)      The price is set by the seller and it may or may not reflect the market value of the animal. In other words, if you plan on reselling the animal shortly after you have purchased it, you may or may not get your money back out of the animal. When you consider the price, you need to decide if you are willing to pay that amount to have the animal in your herd. Is the animal worth it to you? It’s that simple.

4)      You will probably receive little to no public recognition of your purchases unless the seller places a “thank you” ad in a breed magazine. This could be considered a pro or a con depending on the buyer’s perspective.  

What are some of the positive reasons for purchasing cattle by Private Treaty?

1)      This is a more personal way of buying cattle. The buyer and the seller are able to develop a personal relationship.

2)      Buyers are able to view cattle in their natural state, in the pasture.

3)      Sellers do not always offer their best cattle at auctions, but will price them and offer them at private treaty.

4)      The buyer is able to get an overview of the seller’s breeding program and their management practices.

5)      You are able to ask questions of the seller.

6)      In most cases you will be able to view animals that are related to the animal you are looking at purchasing such as offspring, sire, dam and siblings.

7)      You do not have to make a buying decision in only a few seconds, you can take your time.

8 )      Most breeders will be happy to show you their cattle without pressuring you to buy cattle. They just enjoy showing their cattle to folks who have an interest in the breed.

9)      Some breeders offer discounts or package deals on multiple purchases.

10)  When you contact a breeder about coming to view their cattle you can also ask about their prices. This will let you know if the trip could result in you making a purchase before you spend the money to travel to the breeder’s ranch.

In the thirty years that I have been involved in the Longhorn industry I have purchased cattle at auctions and by private treaty. I have found that in most cases I have been happier and more profitable with the cattle I purchased by private treaty. I have also developed long lasting relationships with the breeders I have purchased cattle from by private treaty.  I’m not saying that all my purchases at auctions have been unprofitable or that I was unhappy with all of them. I just feel I came out a little better on my private treaty purchases. If you are building a Longhorn herd I would recommend that you give some serious thought to not only purchasing cattle at auctions but also taking advantage of the private treaty method of purchasing cattle. You do have options.  

Posted on January 8, 2011 - by Russell

Improving Your Herd

By Carolyn Hunter      

 

           Breeders have always had traits that appealed to them or that they felt made their cattle more marketable.  But it takes a large herd of cattle to close a herd and develop a bloodline.  If It is the rare cattleman who is completely satisfied with his herd.  Most ranchers are constantly looking for ways to improve their cattle.  They note the strengths and weaknesses of their herd and start to look for the kind of cattle that can diminish the weaknesses.  To do this they usually turn to outside sources.
            There are four bases of selection available to the livestock breeder, namely (1) selection based on type of individual, (2) selection based on pedigree, (3) selection based on show ring winnings, and (4) selection based on production testing.     
            The first two bases are closely related and are the most prevalent means of selection in the Texas Longhorn breed, since the Texas Longhorn show circuit is fairly new and few breeders in the past kept records of performance (although this is changing).

PEDIGREE OR BLOODLINE

            Dr. Harlan Ritchie, TLBAA Breed Advisory member from the University of Michigan, defines a bloodline as a group of related cattle within a breed that trace to a common ancestor.  These may be either sire lines or female lines.
the herd is too small, then the level of inbreeding goes up quickly and vigor and vitality is lost.
            Building a bloodline is also a slow process, requiring a minimum of 15-20 years.  Ritchie also advises laughingly, “It helps if you are independently wealthy because you have to make a living through those years and may be forced to sell some of your breeding stock off.”
            “Your advantage is that you are the only one who has these cattle,” says Ritchie, “thus supposedly making them more valuable.”
            “However, you also have less of a base to choose from,” he adds, “while those who have the whole population to choose from can go past you in a hurry.  They can take the bloodlines the breed has to offer, cross them and actually have superior cattle by crossing the lines.  If lines are distantly enough related, there’s enough difference in them, and there’s been normal mating between those lines, you might get a little extra vigor or kick when you cross them.”
            In summary, if you’re perfectly content that you have the best cattle in the breed, then you don’t need to use outside stock.  But if you have a specific problem in a herd of cattle and you want to change that very rapidly, then you would probably want to go to an outside source.

            Stockmen need to be informed relative to the factors which influence the rate of progress that can be made through selection.  The Stockman’s Handbook lists these factors:
            1.  The heritability of the character.  When heritability is high, much of that which is selected for will appear in the next generation, and marked improvement will be evident.
            2.  The number of characters selected for at the same time.  The greater the number of characters selected for at the same time, the slower the progress in each.
            3.  The genotypic and phenotypic correlation between traits.  The effectiveness of selection is lessened by (1) negative correlation between two desirable traits or (2) positive correlation of desirable with undesirable.
            4.  The amount of heritable variation measured in such specific units as pounds, inches, numbers, etc.
            5.  The accuracy of records and adherence to an ideal.  It is a well established fact that a breeder who maintains accurate records and consistently selects toward a certain ideal or goal can make more rapid progress than one whose records are inaccurate and whose ideals change with fads and fancies.
            6.  The number of available animals.  The greater the number of animals available from which to select, the greater progress that can be made.
            7.  The age at which selection is made.  Progress is more rapid if selection is practiced at an early age.  This is so because more of the productive life is ahead of the animal, and the opportunity for gain is then greatest.
            8.  The generation interval.  Usually it is possible to reduce the generation intervals of sires, but it is not considered practical to reduce materially the generation intervals of females.  Thus, if progress is being made, the best young males should be superior to their sires.  Then the advantage of this superiority can be gained by changing to new generations as quickly as possible.  To this end, it is recommended that the breeder change to younger sires whenever their records equal or excel those of the older sires after accounting for age and year differences.
            9.  The caliber of the sires.  Since a much smaller proportion of males than of females is normally saved for replacements, it follows that selection among the males can be more rigorous and that most of the genetic progress in a herd will be made from selection of males.

HERITABLE TRAITS IN TEXAS LONGHORNS

            The Texas Longhorn is known for many outstanding traits that can be of benefit to those cattlemen who are striving to improve their herds.
            One quality the Texas Longhorn breeders have always concentrated on is that of low birth rates and ease of calving, according to Dr. Charles McPeake, TLBAA Breed Advisory Committee member and Past Director of the Breed Improvement Federation.  “Heritability is fairly high for that as a growth trait,” he says.
            “Natural selection took care of the size, shape and development of the udder, and heritability for this is also quite good,” he continues.
            Fertility is another heritable factor, which is evidenced by the early sexual maturity of the breed as well as the long productive life of the female into the teen years.
            The Texas Longhorn’s genetic resistance to certain diseases and parasites is another trait than can reduce losses and cut down on the cost to produce a pound of beef.
            Adaptability to different climates is evidenced by the fact that Texas Longhorns are doing well in all parts of the United States as well as Canada, Mexico, Australia, and New Zealand.
            One important trait that has been researched is the lean beef that the Texas Longhorn produces with less fat, but higher yield grade.
            These traits are important to any cattleman, not just a Texas Longhorn breeder.  The genetics of the Texas Longhorn plus these heritable characteristics make this unique breed the perfect animal to use in crossbreeding programs.
            If you’re already a Texas Longhorn breeder, you may also be looking for horns and color.  You are fortunate that there are several established bloodlines which can offer these, as well as the natural characteristics of the Texas Longhorn.

Source: 1996 TLBAA Breeders Handbook, Vol. 8, No. 11, page 56. 

Posted on November 16, 2010 - by Russell

Longhorn Round-Up Sale Report

Longhorn Round-Up Sale

October 30, 2001

West, Texas

 

Thank you to everyone who attended and consigned to the Longhorn Round-Up Sale. You helped make the sale a success and your support is greatly appreciated by the sale management and consignors. The prices held steady with Lot 56, Double Pro topping the sale with a final bid of $1500. The two year old heifer is a granddaughter of Wyoming Warpaint, Hashbrown and Hunt’s Emperor. This spectacular heifer was consigned by Brad and Karine Hall of Utah and was purchased by Falls Creek Longhorns of Midlothian, TX. The heifer’s dam Miss Emperor Procreation sold as Lot 55 and was the second high-selling lot at $950. She was also consigned the Halls and purchased by Falls Creek Longhorns. The third high-selling lot was 122, Sage Coach consigned by JK Wilson Longhorns of New Mexico. He is a son of Coachwhip and was purchased by Byron Jernigan. Brad and Karine Hall consigned the forth high-selling lot, Emperors Gold which was a full brother two the high-selling heifer. He sold to David and Lynda Bradley of Centerville, TX for $900.

 

Friday evening seminar was well received with approximately 40 people attending. The group participated in an open discussion with speakers Paul Mounce and Charlie Buenger about the use of Longhorns in a cross breeding program. This was followed by a presentation by Julie Pack on Longhorn traits and the problems with single trait selection.

 

New buyers are the lifeblood of any breed or breed organization and we had 8 first time buyers that got their start into business at the sale. They now have memberships in the breed association.

Posted on September 23, 2010 - by Russell

Do We Want F1 Certification?

By Jack Johnson

 

            Until now our association has not been ready for an F1 program, and I’m still not sure it is ready to embrace such a concept.  We are talking about publicizing one of the best-kept secrets in the beef business today.  We, as an association, have done little to make known the merits of the F1 Texas Longhorn cow.  If the economic values of Longhorn cross cows were generally known, there would be no need for an F1 certification program, because these cows can and will sell themselves.
            Had the use of genetics and the advantages of heterosis been known and understood in 1884, the near demise of the Texas Longhorn would never have happened.  One hundred years ago, cattlemen were importing the best of the exotic bulls of the times to mate with native Texas Longhorns.  From this mating with massive numbers of Texas Longhorn cows, they selected the best for replacement range cows.
            Now we are marketing great numbers of our lowest quality Texas Longhorn bulls to be used on replacement heifers without recognizing that the progeny of these matings which do become range cows and carry our genetic banner to the beef business will not be nearly as efficient as they would if we were regarding the beef business as our primary source of income rather than a dumping ground for our cull bulls.
            An F1 certification program is, after all, nothing more than a marketing tool to introduce our breed’s genetics to the beef business.  If association members will accept and implement breeding practices that will preserve, protect and promote the genetic traits of reproductive efficiency that have made this breed different from others, an F1 certification program is feasible and will keep our breed healthy far into the future.  Otherwise, it is futile.
            I have been accused, probably with justification, of being radical and controversial for saying too often and too emphatically that our breed is being damaged by our strong emphasis, as an association, on the length and shape of horns rather than on the strong capabilities of Texas Longhorns to reproduce themselves systematically under almost any conditions.  Horns are the hallmark of the Texas Longhorn breed, and I like big-horned cattle.
            However, reproductive efficiency has been severely damaged in other breeds by doing exactly what we are doing today in our breed, but for different reasons.  While we are reducing our fertility today by emphasizing horn length above all else, other beef breeds have been directing their attention to the production of a superior feedlot steer.  They have paid strict attention to birth weights, weaning weights, daily gain, feed conversion and carcass desirability.  In doing this, they ignored fertility, longevity and hardiness.  Consequently, the female counterparts to the improved feedlot steer are not economically efficient as range cows.  The reproductive abilities of the females in other breeds have been reduced by emphasizing, in their breeding programs, the male traits of gainability and feed conversion.
            We, as Texas Longhorn breeders, have the answer to their dilemma.  With the F1 we can sell back to the beef business the reproductive efficiency they have squandered in their quest for efficient feeder cattle.  We need to begin to be very careful not to squander too much of our breeding efficiency in trying to produce longer and longer horns.  I mention this because all of us have seen many times cows of questionable fertility sell at higher figures because of superior horn growth.  Many of these sub-fertile cows have been treated by all known artificial means, super-ovulated with drugs and placed in embryo transfer programs to produce highly promoted herd sires whose semen will then be scattered throughout the breed, carrying with it the damaging sub-fertility of a dam with little to offer besides tremendous horn growth.  Every time this happens, it decreases those valuable traits our breed has had in abundance.  If we are serious about an F1 certification program to promote the use of our genetics in the beef business, we must also promote within our breed the preservation of the traits we wish to sell.
            The primary advantage of an F1 certification program is to increase the sales of registered Texas Longhorns at respectable prices.  If we are to accomplish this goal, we must all be equally involved.  Research must be done to provide acceptable proof of the claims we make with regard to functional efficiency or breeding values.
            Advertising and promotion must constantly be directed toward the beef industry to establish in the minds of beef-oriented people that we have the genetics they need to improve their production.  Acceptable means must be developed by A.I. and E.T. rules committees to protect our inherent fertility, longevity and mothering capabilities.  It will have to become evident throughout our association that we consider ourselves a beef breed rather than a historic relic.
            We need within our breed a system to recognize and emphasize those 18- to 24-year-old cows with unbroken production records, and those bulls that have consistently produced daughters with these capabilities.  These are the animals whose progeny should be in embryo transfer and artificial insemination and bringing superior prices in our sales.
            A serious F1 certification represents a new direction for our association and presents many difficult questions to be resolved:
            Cost of Certification.  What will it cost the TLBAA and how can we recover these expenses?
            Quality Control.  Should F1 certified cows be from registered dams of another breed?  What breeds are acceptable?  Should we place minimum standards on Texas Longhorn bulls that are used as sires of certified F1 females?  Should the dams of certified F1s be inspected to assure quality in the progeny?
            Management.  How much work load will this program place on our staff?  How soon can we expect increased sales of registered bulls to justify the expense?  Will our computer capabilities be sufficient to handle the program?
            Timing.  How soon can we be ready to start certification?  Will our breeders understand and accept such a program?  How may we avoid such certification being confused with an up-breeding program such as other breeds accept?
            These and many other questions must be answered if an F1 certification program is to be successful.  It is simply a marketing tool that, if done properly, will provide us with a healthy future in the beef industry.  Halfway measures probably will not be notably beneficial to anyone.
           
Editor’s note:  The F1 certification program was discussed at the October 23, 1984 meeting of the TLBAA Steering Committee and approved for presentation to the Board of Directors, which can adopt or reject the proposal.

What is your opinion of the F1 certification proposal?  We welcome your response to this and other issues.

 

Source: The Longhorn Scene, December 1984 issue, Opinion Corner, pages 40 & 67.

*The TLBAA did adopt an F1 (commercial crossbreeding) certification program.  Information on registering F1 Texas Longhorns can be found in the TLBAA Official Handbook, Rules and Regulations, Section 1. – Required Information for Registration, subsection (m).

Posted on September 3, 2010 - by Russell

First Time Buyers Checklist

The following is a checklist of some basic things to keep in mind when evaluating cattle that you are thinking about purchasing. These may seem like simple and obvious things that would not be easily over looked. But they are when a buyer is not focused on the overall quality of the animal but rather on one trait. First time buyers and sometimes even experienced buyers will lose focus of the overall quality of an animal. In most cases it is the amount of horn that overwhelms the buyer and makes them lose focus. In some instances I have seen a buyer overlook a major genetic defect because the animal was young and had 80” inches tip-to-tip. If you want to be taken seriously and be involved in this breed for a long period of time you will not want to overlook genetic defects just because the animal has a lot of horn. Horns alone are for the “collector”….the total package animal is for the serious Longhorn breeder. An educated buyer is one that will be happier and more profitable with his purchases.      

 

ü  Functionality of an Animal

o   Does it have a correct bovine structure?anatomy-of-a-texas-longhorn-cow , anatomy-of-a-texas-longhorn-bull

o   Good top line? Easy movement in hips and shoulders?

o   Is it sound on its feet, legs and joints? No swelling in the joints? Can the animal move and travel well and easily?

o   Mouth and jaw – Is the mouth and jaw set straight and correct? A crooked nose, mouth and/or jaw will make it more difficult for the animal to forage. 

These are important to the overall health and well-being of the animal. If the animal is structurally unsound it will have problems making good use of forage and pasture. Bulls with structural problems will have difficulty in keeping up with the cow herd, thus they will not be able to service the cows.

ü  Reproduction

o   Bulls – Does he have two evenly developed testicles, hanging straight without any signs of a twist? Does he have a normal size sheath and penis opening? Swelling around the opening could indicate an injury or infection.

o   Females – Does her reproductive area look normal for her age? Does she have a calf at side? Is she palpated bred or just exposed for a long period of time? Under development (looking like a virgin heifer) on an older female that should have had a calf or two could indicate a possible breeding problem.  

o   Ask the seller about production history. Most will be more than willing to provide that information.

ü  Udder – Is the udder functional? This is a must! If she can’t raise a fat and healthy calf, she is useless! If she has a calf at side it will give you some idea as to the quality of her udder.

ü  Body Condition – Is the animal overly fat? Is the animal extremely thin? Each one of these body conditions could indicate possible problems. An overly fat animal could be a poor or non-breeder. An extremely thin animal could just be a hard keeper or it could indicate several possible problems, some of which are correctable. A couple of these would be coming from poor range or pasture with poor nutrition or the animal needs treatment for parasites.  Numerous medical reasons could be the cause of poor body condition and some could be severe.

ü  Pedigree – Is the pedigree of proven genetics? In order to know the quality of the pedigree…Do Your Homework. Study pedigrees in sale catalogs, attend sales as a spectator, visit websites and ask questions. Often the cattle that an individual likes or is drawn to will have similar bloodlines. While studying pedigrees and bloodlines keep in mind that the most advertised (bulls and cows) pedigrees are not always the best or most proven. They just happen to be owned by someone who can afford to advertise.

ü  Horn – Are they of good length and shape? Horn is a must–after all this breed is the Texas Longhorn. Horn is not the most important trait and the reason why it is lower on the list. You can have the longest horn cow in the breed but if she has defects then you don’t have much in my opinion except a shoulder mount to hang on your wall. 

Posted on August 29, 2010 - by Russell

Breed Guideline Chart-Updated

Updated with a few new expample photos on 1/4/11. Wondering what to look for when looking at a Texas Longhorn? The Texas Longhorn Breed Guidelines that were approved by the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of American in 1982 is a list of the traits and characteristics of Longhorn cattle, these should be considered the standards for the Texas Longhorn Breed. These characteristics and/or standards should always be keep in mind when selecting cattle. To aide new and established breeders in their ability to recognize these traits I have compiled a PDF file that contains photographic examples of these breed traits and characteristics. The photos are examples of desirable, objectionable and undesirable Longhorn characteristics. I will be adding more photos as they come available. I hope this material will be of assistants to all who have an interested in maintaining the traits and characteristics that have allowed this great breed to prosper for years. Click on the link below to open/download the PDF file. texas-longhorn-breed-guidelines-chart-1-3-11

Posted on August 28, 2010 - by Russell

Selecting Sires For Horn and More

 

By Russell Hooks

 

In an earlier article we discussed selecting for more than just horn in Longhorn females. Now let’s talk about Longhorn bulls. Some breeders think the tape measure is the answer to selecting the best bull. Once again that is not the case. There are numerous bulls in the industry that are in the 70” horn club; they are the “hot sires” of the day.  These young bulls have tons of horn and you cannot open up a Longhorn magazine without seeing an ad about one of these “great sires”.  But what actually makes a great sire?  PRODUCTION!  CONSISTENCY!  PREDICTABLE GENETICS!  Most of these hot ticket sires are so young that their only offspring are still babies.  Before I load my program (and the programs I consult for) down with these “popular and highly promoted genetics” I want to see some mature offspring.  Will some of these “hot sires” of today make a lasting positive mark on the industry?  Yes they will, but history has shown us that the percentage is very small.  I have seen too many “fad bulls” come and go in this industry during my thirty years in Longhorns.  As breeders, we need to develop a breeding plan that utilizes proven genetics instead of chasing fads.  If you chase the fads you will more than likely always find yourself one step behind.  Think about it, bull X is the bull of the moment – the one everyone is talking about. You AI your cows to him, it takes about 1-2 months to AI the cows, then nine months for the calves to hit the ground and they turn out pretty nice.  Now six to seven months later the calves are weaning age; you could sell some of them now but we all know that weanlings do not sell as well as two year olds.  So you hold these calves until they are twenty four months old.  The time frame is a total of approximately 35 months and the chances are good that by now there is another “hot ticket” bull. You have missed that small window of market opportunity.  I have observed that most of the “fad” bulls are only able to ride that popularity trailer for about 3-4 years and then they start to lose traction.  This is usually about the time their offspring are reaching maturity and they can now be fully evaluated on traits such as long term horn growth, fertility and milking ability.  I have seen “super sires” that have put offspring on the ground that show rapid early horn growth, but when they reach three to four years of age it slows dramatically and other sires’ calves that where showing less horn growth at a young age have caught up with the “super” sires’ calves.  In some cases the “super” sire is inconsistent in his offspring, some have great horn and some are average or even below average.  Now the “super” sire’s offspring are no different than any other good sire. When you are searching for a sire always ask yourself “how will his genetics benefit my herd, is it just his popularity I am interested in or can he help improve the overall quality of my herd in the long term”.    

 

 When you are selecting a sire for AI or natural service there are several things to keep in mind. The first thing I look at is a sire’s overall conformation, frame size and breed characteristics. Then I want to see what his dam and maternal grand dam look like. Years ago legendary Longhorn breeder J.W. Isaacs told me that “you better like the dam and grand dam of your herd sire because more than likely that is what his heifers are going to look like”.I have found this to be the case more often than not.  Not only are his daughters going to look similar to the females in his pedigree, but they will inherit a lot of their traits such as udder and teat size, fertility and femininity. While checking these female lines of a sire’s pedigree, I will study the pedigree several generations back looking for as many great females as possible in the sire’s pedigree.  Next I look at what other good animals, both males and females have come from these genetics or similar genetics. After I have studied the prospective sire’s pedigree I will then compare it with the pedigrees of the females that he will be mated to in order to check to see if there will be too much line breeding or inbreeding in the resulting offspring.  I also look to see if the genetics of the prospective sire have been used with the female genetics that I am planning to mate him with.  In other words, have these genetics worked together successfully or unsuccessfully in past matings for other breeders.  It is more productive and less costly to learn from what has or has not worked in the past.  One last important step is to visually inspect the females and note their faults…poor frame score, poor conformation, poor horn growth, etc.  This is done so that you can select a sire that will help improve these weaknesses in your cow herd.  

The selection of a herd sire is a very important part of a seed stock breeding program. It is correctly said that the sire has a genetic impact on 50% of every calf he sires. So basically, he is 50% of your herd. However, if you think a little more about it, the impact of a sire is even greater than 50%.  He only has a 50% effect on your herd through each calf crop.  If you don’t retain any of his offspring then his effect ends there.  If you retain his heifers he is 50% of them and 25% of their offspring; so if you retain these calves he is now 75% of your herd.  The effect goes on and on if you are keeping heifers and bulls from your own herd as replacements.  As you can see, the selection of a herd sire can have a major long term impact, good or bad, on your herd.  Take the time and effort to study all prospective sires before adding their genetics to your herd.  It will save you time and money in the long run.

I have often wondered why breeders in our industry will purchase a cow for a large sum of money, but when it comes to purchasing a bull the philosophy seems to be the cheaper the better. This is the opposite of what it should be and of what happens in other cattle breeds.  As I stated earlier the females are important and especially the dams of your herd sires, but it is the sires that have a larger impact on your herd and at a faster rate.  A breeder should consider spending the largest portion of his purchasing budget on his herd sire.  It takes only a short time for that investment to payoff.  The late Gene Day used this example when I was looking at purchasing a top notch two year old herd sire prospect from him that he had priced at $10,000.  He said “you are going to take this young bull and breed him to 30-40 head this first year.  If he produces only ropers and you sell 40 ropers for $250 to $300 each…that’s $10,000 to $12,000…the bull is paid for.  Now let’s say he turns out to be as good of a herd sire as you thought so you only have 20 ropers to sell ($6,000) and you’re going to have 20 heifers that should be worth $800 to $1,200 at weaning.  Some of these you’re not going to want to sell, but keep as replacements.  Now he is not only paying for himself, he’s making you money.”  I have never forgotten these words of wisdom and I think about them every time I look at purchasing a bull regardless of whether the price is $1,000 or $100,000.  The money invested in a good herd sire is money well spent and will pay off in the long term.  

 

 The point behind all this is, it is best to stick with proven genetics from bloodlines that have passed the test of time and invest wisely in your herd sires.  If you are going to use an unproven bull make sure he comes from predictable and proven genetics.  Do your homework and do not take sire selection lightly. Work towards producing offspring that are a total package of proven genetics: good horns (55-70”) with shape and style, correct and functional conformation, milking ability, adequate body size and eye appeal. It will make you more money in the long run.

 Most of the 65-80” horn cattle in our industry are sired by bulls with 50-60” horns and most of these bulls have done this more than once or twice. Phenomenon measured a little over 60” and is one of the leading sires and grandsires of 65-80” horn animals.  His sire Superior measured 50” and shows up as sire or grandsire of numerous animals that are in that 70-80” Club.  Proven genetics are one of the keys to long term success in this industry.            

 

 

.            

Posted on August 10, 2010 - by Russell

Butler Breeders Annual Sale “How It Got Started”

 

From an idea to a plan to reality, Kaso readily admits, “The Lord has blessed me!”

 

Butler Breeders Invitational Sale

Aug 31 - Sept. 1

Lockhart, TX

Contact:

Kaso Kety

(985) 796-3918

 

Check out Butler bloodlines and pedigrees on the Butler website: butlertexaslonghorns.com