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THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN–DECEMBER 2012–PAGE 1

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

Non-Profi tOrganizationU. S. Postage

PAIDDaleville VA 24083

Permit No. 8

Offi cial Publication of the Virginia Cattleman’s Association • PLEASE NOTIFY SENDER IF ADDRESS LABEL IS INCORRECT

What’s InsideWhat’s Inside

VA 4-H Livestock Judging ......................................................................... Page 7

U.S. Agriculture Needs Transfusion Of Youth ........................................... 0

Cold Stress On Cows ............................................................................... Page 22

Holiday Traditions In A Farming Family .................................................... Page 25

TheThe Virginia CattlemanVirginia CattlemanVOLUME 34 NUMBER 11 CIRCULATION 8,000 DECEMBER 2012

RRememberememberCChrist, hrist, OOur ur SSavior,avior,

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DECEMBER 2012–THE VIRGINIA CATTLEMAN

The VirginiaCattlemen’s Association

Affi liated with theNational Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc.

P.O. Box 9Daleville, Va 24083-0009

540/992-1009www.vacattlemen.org

Alan Spivey ..................................... PresidentAroda

Steve Furrow ...........................President ElectRocky Mount

John Goodwin...........................1st Vice Pres.FEEDER CATTLE

SomersetJasper Persinger .........................1st Vice Pres.

SEEDSTOCKCovington

Terry Hudgins ...........................1st Vice Pres.INDUSTRYBuckingham

Gene Copenhaver ............................ TreasurerMeadowview

Bruce Stephens ................................Past Pres.Wytheville

Jascon Carter .......................... Exec. SecretaryStuarts Draft

Butch Foster ....................................FieldmanBristol

BOARD OF DIRECTORSRegion I

Glenn Wheeler, AtkinsRegion II

Chris King, WythevilleRegion III

Barry Brice, NarrowsRegion IV

Forrest Ashby, StauntonRegion V

Rick Matthews, BrowntownRegion VI

Steve Hoplins, LouisaJohn Goodwin, Orange

Region VIILin Jones, New Canton

AngusSteve Furrow, Rocky Mount

CharolaisWilliam Anderson, Altavista

DairymenMark Sowers, Floyd

HerefordCharles Williams, Fairfi eld

SimmentalAlan Spivey, Aroda

MarketsDavid Coleman, Amelia

VeterinariansDr. Bobby Franck, Montpelier

BCIAJason Pratt, Dublin

CattleWomenTerri Doyle, Emporia

Cattle FeedersJerry Burner, Luray

IndustryGene Copenhaver, Galax

County Cattlemen Assoc.Mike Henry, Amelia

Brett Stratton, AppomattoxEx Offi cio

Frank GravesBill Jones

VA/NCBA DirectorKevin Powell

The Virginia Cattleman540/992-1011

540/992-4632 - FAXpublished monthly by the

Virginia Cattlemen’s Association

Editor ................................ Jason CarterBusiness Mgr. ....................... Kim Ward

[email protected] the fi rst week of each month. Copy deadline the

15th of the previous month.The Virginia Cattleman is sent to members of the Virginia

Cattlemen’s Association. Annual dues are $25/year or participation in the Association’s Feeder Cattle marketing Program. Complimentary copies are sent to various sup-

porters of the Virginia Cattle Industry.

A Member of:

LPCLIVESTOCK PUBLICATIONS COUNCIL

ConnectionsJason Carter

Executive Secretary

It’s close to the end of 2012 and all in all, not a bad year to be in the cattle business. It never ceases to amaze me the older I get how things you never dreamed of be-come the norm such as $125 fed cattle and near $4.00 diesel fuel. Despite the extraordinary costs of doing business, there is still ample room for sound management of cattle and risks to keep margins in the black. Much sympathy to our colleagues in the beleaguered western states, but opportunity is abundant here in the east. The most notable event of the past month was certainly the elections. There was a record amount of money spent on campaigning and Virginia found itself in the unique position of being a battleground state where our demographic was felt to correlate strongly with the look and sentiment of the country. After all the angst, money and speculation were spent however nothing really has changed except for the promise that something might. The control of the White House, Senate and House in Congress remain as were and we should all plan for more bipartisan work to be done even if our elected offi cials may still be searching for the defi nition of compromise.

One bright spot for agriculture and Virginia was the re-election of Bob Goodlatte. Representative Goodlatte has asserted himself over the years as thoughtful and a deliberate worker, earning con-siderable respect among his peers. Prior to the Obama administra-tion, Bob was chair of the House Agriculture Committee and, with this new term, now fi nds himself on the cusp of possibly becoming the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. This is a powerful Committee of the House with immigration being an expected priority issue in 2013. Goodlatte plans to remain on the House Ag-riculture Committee as well and was disappointed that the EPA chose not to waive the ethanol mandate despite overwhelming support for that by the animal agriculture industry in particular. He has indicated that he plans to

fi le a bill calling for a suspension of the program when corn prices again approach the astronomical levels of 2012.

I am excited about 2013 coming for the Virginia Cattlemen. Febru-ary 1st will be our annual conven-tion again at the Hotel Roanoke and the agenda for the day prom-ises to be informative as we have several nationally known speak-ers coming in to discuss industry

outlook, quality and politics. Also we are planning to continue the successful bull auction to raise money for our policy work that is becoming increasingly important for our business. Please make sure you note the ad in this edition for the seedstock producers in the state that are contributing breed-ing cattle credits for this auction. Look for more details about the convention soon on the website and in the January edition of the Virginia Cattlemen. Finally I want to dedicate a few lines here at the end to two extraordinary people in my life that passed in the last

month, Dr. John Gerken and my grandfather Willis Carter. I have noticed that the older I get how I refl ect more on the wisdom I have gained from a “top 10” group of individuals who in some way made signifi cant impacts on me. As time progresses I am bound to lose folks on that list. These two men led humble yet profound lives, and while they never met, I am thankful for what they both gave me. Merry Christmas to ev-eryone in the Virginia cattle busi-ness and I hope that God blesses each of you as we close 2012 and begin 2013.


Ginger Hill Treasure 804

Brooke Miller, MD (540) [email protected] Miller (540) [email protected]

P.O. Box 150Washington,

VA 22747

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“Performance on Grass with Low Inputs”

Hubert John Gerken Jr., 83, a Virginia Tech alumnus and an internationally known beef cattle specialist, died Oct. 27, 2012, in Burlington, N.C. after a lengthy illness. As a professor of animal science in the College of Agricul-

ture and Life Sciences and a Vir-ginia Cooperative Extension ani-mal scientist, his programs in beef cattle nutrition and management helped improve beef production. He developed methods for using growth stimulants in beef cattle, which added millions of dollars to producers’ bottom line. His pro-gram also resulted in an increase in the use of poultry litter as a cat-tle feed. Gerken also coordinated the Powell River Project, which uses reclaimed mined land for livestock production. That project led to improvements in economic and environmental conditions in Virginia’s coalfi elds.

“He was a very loyal man with a high sense of integrity,” said his

wife, Shirley Gerken, an alumna and retired associate professor of public service.

Gerken enrolled in Virginia Tech’s animal husbandry program following a short spell in the military. He earned his bachelor’s

degree in animal sci-ence in 1954 and got a teaching job outside the university, but soon returned to serve Fred-erick and Clarke coun-ties as an Extension agent. He received his master’s degree from Virginia Tech in 1966 and went on to earn a Ph.D. from North Carolina State Univer-sity in 1971. “Virginia Tech was so impor-tant to him because it provided the pathway for higher education, which enabled him to be of service to Virginia and the country,” said Shirley Gerken.

The Gerkens made a generous gift to sup-port professional de-velopment of faculty

within Extension on or off campus. “While working at Virginia Tech, we experienced several budget crises,” she said. “Participation in national meet-ings and conferences was not a priority in budget negotiations. Recognizing the importance of continued development experi-ences, we decided to earmark the fund that we have established toward that purpose for Extension faculty at all levels.”

During Gerken’s tenure at the university, he was a consultant to beef cattle producers throughout Virginia and the Southeastern United States, as well as in India and the United Kingdom. He re-ceived the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Faculty Excellence

In memoriam: Hubert John Gerken Jr., Professor EmeritusAward, the Leadership and Ser-vice Award from the Virginia Beef Cattle Association, and 30-year service recognitions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture

and Virginia Tech. In addition to farming, Gerken enjoyed reading, traveling to historic sites and mu-seums, and watching the Hokies play on Saturday afternoons. He

was also an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church and most recently held membership at First Presbyterian Church in Burling-ton, N.C.

Hubert John Gerken Jr.

“Australian Kelpie puppies for sale. Out of working parents, nice pedigrees, healthy and have had all their vac-cinations. 3 males, 2 females, all black and tan. Whelped, October 16 will be available mid December 2012. Call, or text for more information and photos tel: 434-546-2341

AUSTRALIAN KELPIE PUPPIES FOR SALEOut of working parents, nice pedigrees, healthy and have had all their vaccinations. 3 males, 2 fe-males, all black and tan. Whelped, October 16 will be available mid December 2012. Call, or text for more information and photos, tel: 434-546-2341.


SALE COORDINATORGeorge “Buddy” Johnstone, Jr.(276) 228-8496 or 620-4901

WYTHEVILLE, VA

SALE SPONSORED BYSouthwest Virginia Angus Association

President, Larry Rhoton(423) 323-4954

AUCTIONEERSmith Reasor - VAAL# 2395

(276) 620-3123RURAL RETREAT, VA

SALE DAY PHONES:(276) 620-3123(276) 620-4901

Saturday, December 8, 201212 noon at Washington County Fairgrounds,

Abingdon, VA

40 Registered Angus BullsPerformance-Tested

40 Lots of Registered Angus Females

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LIVE INTERNET BIDDING AT:www.cowbuyer.com

Southwest Virginia’s Finest Angus Sale

View our catalog at: www.swvaangus.org

Back-to-back drought years and moving cattle enables spread of trichomoniasis to new areas

The following article was written by a Boehringer Ingelheim veterinar-ian regarding the potential spread of trichomoniasis to states previously not known to have it. Virginia is fortunate that trich has remained relatively far away and not a problem here, but with the growing number of breeding bulls potentially coming from around the country into the Commonwealth, it is important to remember to verify these animals have been managed with a trich protocol.

The days of trichomoniasis being known as a western states problem may be coming to an end. With consecutive drought years throughout many of the cow/calf-producing parts of the country, trich is being found in new areas, including states like Iowa and Missouri, and cattlemen are suf-fering from its impact. Trichomo-niasis is a venereal disease carried by bulls and transferred to healthy cows, resulting in early embryonic death or abortion. Historically, trich was a problem in the west-ern United States where multiple herds, under multiple manage-ment practices, ran together on public land. When drought hit those areas, cattle moved into states like Texas, Nebraska and South Dakota — and took tricho-moniasis with them. According to Dr. Doug Ensley, Professional Services Veterinarian with Boeh-ringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc., this situation is repeating itself.

“Last year with the drought in Texas and Oklahoma, people were

looking for places to send cows, while other parts of the country could buy cows because they had grass and rain,” Dr. Ensley says. “Some of those cows moved out of Texas and, because trich doesn’t have many clinical signs, people put them right in with the cow herd. Now we’re seeing positive cows, and the same goes for bulls. Trich-positive bulls were moving out of Texas and into states like Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Iowa.”

Preventing trichomoniasis from entering your herd or controlling its spread takes a multi-faceted approach. Recommended strate-gies include:

• Annually test all bulls and cull any bulls that test positive.

• Only buy virgin bulls or bulls that have tested negative for trich.

• Consider expanding your artifi cial insemination program to reduce the need for bulls.

• Properly maintain all fencing where neighboring herds could come in contact.

For herds that have bulls iden-tifi ed as trich-positive, have dif-ficulty getting all bulls tested, purchase older bulls, or are in an area where multiple herds may run together, Dr. Ensley recom-mends adding TrichGuard® to the herd health protocol.

“I have actually seen some herds in trich situations in which they’ve had 40 to 45 percent pregnancy or calving rate, when they’ve traditionally had an 85 or 90 percent pregnancy rate,” he says. “I think TRICHGUARD

Expanding The Cow Herd Can Bring In Problemsis a nice tool to help improve breeding rates affected by tricho-moniasis and get you going back in the right direction with reproduction.” Dr. Ensley also encourages producers to think

beyond their own herd. “You really have to look at your whole management practice, as well as your neighbor’s,” he says. “I hate to pit neighbor against neighbor, but you have to think about that

herd across the fence. They may not have the same management practices you do, so you should be prepared in case they have a positive bull that could jump the fence.”

Smith Reasor, Auctioneer

[email protected]

Thanks for a successful 2012now booking sales for 2013


Virginia Simmental Association

Thank you to all the consignors and buyersat our 4th Annual Legends of the Blue Ridge Sale.

The sale was a huge success.

VIRGINIA

SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATIONKathy Penley, Secretary

4311 East Blue Grass TrailBland, VA 24315276-688-6188340-922-3592

[email protected]

MEMBER APPLICATION

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP - $35 PER YEAR

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP - $15 PER YEARMEMBERSHIP NOT ENTITLED TO VOTE

OR HOLD OFFICE

JUNIOR MEMBERSHIP - $10 PER YEARMEMBERSHIP UP TO 21 YEARS OF AGE

FARM NAME_______________________________________________

PERSONAL NAME__________________________________________

JUNIORS NAMES___________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

FULL ADDRESS______________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

ASA MEMBERSHIP #_____________________________________

TELEPHONE #___________________________________________

E-MAIL ADDRESS _______________________________________

SIMMENTAL INTERESTS (I.E. FULL BLOOD, PUREBREDS,

BLACKS, REDS, CROSSBREEDING)

________________________________________________________

RETURN TO:VIRGINIA SIMMENTAL ASSOCIATION, INC.

4311 BLUEGRASS TRAILBLAND, VA 24315

PHONE [email protected]


Continued on Page 8

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The 2012 VA 4-H All-Star Live-stock Judging team has been busy this year competing against many teams across the nation. The 8 members of the VA 4-H All-Star Livestock Judging team include: Cody Boden, Frederick Co.; Cole Kaufman, Augusta Co.; Chelsea Ellington, Rockingham Co.; Emily Dyer, Madison Co.; Cora Moyers, Rockbridge Co.; Jack Redifer and Jacob Bowman, Montgomery Co.; and Catie Hope, Clarke Co. The members of the Virginia team earned their spot on the team by fi nishing in the top 10 at the state level livestock judging contest at Virginia Tech. The contests that the team represents at occur throughout the fall months of the year and are held in Nebraska, Maryland, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Indiana. The na-tional contest is at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE) in Louisville, Kentucky. These participants re-ceive extensive training in order to prepare for the strenuous NAILE contest in Louisville. “The stu-dents develop valuable oral com-munication, critical and organized thinking, and observational skills as they prepare for their fi nal con-test,” said Dr. Paige Pratt, Youth Livestock Extension Specialist at Virginia Tech. Throughout this extensive training regime, the team has successfully managed

to stay in the top 5 teams for the majority of the contests.

The team ventured to the AK-SAR-BEN contest at the River City Rodeo and Stock Show in Omaha, Nebraska, where 32 teams consist-ing of 89 individuals from across the country came to compete. Cody Boden was the overall 2nd high individual at the competi-tion. Jack Redifer placed 5th in beef. Chelsea Ellington placed 7th in swine, and Lindsey Fenster placed 10th in swine. The Virginia team as a whole dominated the competition by placing 2nd in Swine, 2nd in Beef, and 2nd Overall amongst the 32 teams.

Next, the team made their way up to Harrisburg, Pennsylva-nia where they competed at the Keystone International Livestock Exposition. The livestock judg-ing competition registered 13 teams with 44 individuals. Cole Kaufman had a great day, and placed 1st Overall in Jr. Angus, 2nd in Beef, and 12th Overall in-dividually. Emily Dyer ranked 3rd in Swine, and Cody Boden placed 2nd in Beef, and 8th Overall. The VA team placed 1st in Beef, 3rd in Swine, 3rd in Questions, 5th in Reasons, and topped it off with a 5th Overall fi nish.

The Eastern National Livestock Judging Contest in Timonium, Maryland rolled around, and the Virginia livestock judgers were

Virginia 4-H Livestock Judging Team Finishes Strong In Fall Contests

not far behind. This smaller con-test had 5 teams consisting of 17 individuals. The members made

some dents in the competition by placing well. Cole Kaufman

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Don’t Just Buy a Bull….Invest in a Program

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Buy or lease a Roseda Black Angus bull and become a partner in an innovative branded beef program. Roseda Farm will purchase your Roseda sired calves at competitive prices plus a premium based on your level of management and record keeping. Bulls start at $1500 with bull leases at $600/season. For information contact:

Kent Baucus, NCBA

At the end of this year, we will be fortunate enough to see the implementation of three free trade agreements (FTA); the Korea-U.S. agreement; the Colombia-U.S. agreement; and the Panama-U.S. agreement, which will be imple-mented on Oct. 31. The agreement with Korea repeals a 40 percent tar-iff on U.S. beef and gives our coun-try a competitive tariff advantage over competitors such as Australia. Likewise, the Colombia agree-ment repeals a massive 80 percent tariff on U.S. beef. The agreement between Panama and the United

States eliminates a 30 percent tariff on U.S. beef. Eliminating high tariffs gives us a competitive advantage in all three markets and a strong foothold in Asia and South America where demand for beef is strong and growing.

Another Asian market with strong potential for growth is Japan. Currently the second larg-est export market for U.S. beef behind Canada, Japan accounts for nearly $720 million in U.S. beef sales through August 2012. This is a 23 percent increase over 2011 sales fi gures and is within striking distance of surpassing 2011 total beef sales at $874 million. The

Japanese government is currently reviewing its bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) protocols for domestically produced beef and imported beef. There is re-cent discussion of lifting the age restriction on U.S. beef imports from 20 months and under to 30 months and under, which could be a tremendous opportunity for U.S. beef producers. It is obvious that Japan continues to be a strong export market with much potential for U.S. beef exports.

While Korea and Japan are certainly strong export markets for American beef, we have seen tremendous growth in other Asian

Despite Setbacks In 2012, Future Looks Bright For U.S. Beef Trademarkets such as Hong Kong and Vietnam. In 2012 there has been a 28 percent increase in U.S. beef

sales in Hong Kong, totaling nearly $200 million. Meanwhile,

Continued from Page 7

4-H Livestock Judgingranked 2nd in Swine, 3rd in Beef, 5th in Reasons, and 6th Overall. Cody Boden racked up a 7th in Sheep/Goats, 6th in Beef, 10th in Reasons, and finished 7th Over-all. Emily Dyer came out 9th in Sheep/Goats and 8th in Reasons. Cora Moyers followed with a 10th in Sheep/Goats and 9th in Beef. The team left the competition 3rd in Sheep/Goats, 3rd in Swine, 2nd in Beef, 2nd in Reasons, and fi nished strong being 3rd Overall.

The final regional contest the team the team traveled to was the Southeastern Regional in Raleigh, North Carolina. The team rolled

overall the competitors by placing 1st in Meat Goats, 1st in Beef, and 1st Overall. The fi nal competition for the team was held in Louisville, Kentucky. The team fi nished 5th in sheep/goat, 6th in swine and 8th overall at the North American International Livestock Exposition. “The team had a very success-ful fall and finished the season strong. The NAILE was a very competitive event and our youth were consistent in their placing’s all day; they did very well given the especially tough competition this year,” Pratt said.

Virginia youth livestock pro-grams are supported by the Youth Livestock Endowment through

the Virginia 4-H Foundation. For more information on youth live-stock programs or how you can support these programs please contact Dr. Paige Pratt, Youth Livestock Extension Specialist (540.231.4732 or [email protected]).


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FPL Food, LLC in Augusta, Georgia is proud to announce the launch of its fed beef cattle program to go along with our existing cow and bull harvest. Producers throughout the southeast can take advantage of our program and keep our Southeastern raised cattle in the local market to be fed, harvested and merchandised to consumers across our region. The fed program at FPL consist of a traditional commodity fed program where USDA Choice and Select graded cattle are the target. Fed cattle can be forward contracted and/or purchased direct. Cattle will be purchased on a yield and quality grade grid system. Cows and bulls can be purchased direct from your farm or delivered to our facility. If you are interested in supplying cattle for either of these programs please contact Brad Chandler at 706.910.9397 or via email at [email protected]. If you want additional information about FPL Food LLC, please review our web page at www.fplfood.com.

Cattle Fax

Price slides are used to adjust values from what cattle actually weigh versus what the seller set as the base weight. For example, a producer forward contracts calves in July with a base weight of 550 pounds, after the pencil shrink, for November delivery at $170/cwt. This is what the seller anticipates the calves will weigh in November. But for whatever reason the calves end up weigh-ing 575 pounds. The price needs adjusted in order to account for the additional 25 pounds. Indus-try typical slides for at least the past 2 decades have been 8 to 10 cents on 5 weight cattle. For this example say the slide is 8 cents. That means for every pound over the base weight of 550, the price is reduced 8 cents per pound (25 x $0.08 = $2). The fi nal price on this transaction would be $168/cwt, rather than $170. The reason this is done is to adjust to price levels of heavier weights, as cattle that

weigh more sell for less dollars per hundredweight.

Historically it has been diffi cult for sellers to negotiate a down-ward slide, whereas if the cattle weigh less than the base weight, the price increases. This has been a problem the past couple years due to the drought. Numerous cattle have missed the base weight and weighed light. This gives the advantage to the buyer, as they are paying a heavier weight price for lighter cattle. As cattle prices have increased and price spreads between weight groups have widened it makes traditional slide methods less pertinent. Price variation between weight groups changes on a weekly basis, and there is also seasonality to the spreads. In fairness to all parties involved, both buyers and sell-ers, a more accurate depiction of what the actual slide should be is better accounted for by using a percent rather than cents per pound. Sellers never want to come in under the base weight,

Typical Slides Have Become Antiquatedunless there is a downward slide as well. So the cattle are always heavier than the base weight. Using the typical slide in the present mar-ket is an advantage to the seller because the cattle are not getting discounted what the true market discounts heavier weights.

In 2012, the aver-age percent price dif-ference between a 550 pound steer and a 650 pound steer is 7.65 percent. Mean-ing the true slide on a 550 pound steer at $170 is 13 cents rather than 8 or 10. Bottom Line: The slides have changed in every weight category of

cattle. This issue is likely going to become more important going forward. CattleFax is working on

providing a weekly slide for each weight group as well as seasonal and regional slide differences.



U.S. Beef Trade

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Elton Robinson inFarm Press Blog

A recent USDA survey fore-warns of an impending crisis in ag-riculture. It’s not about too many rules and regulations restricting farmer profitability, inadequate farm policy or rising input costs, although these factors could very well play into the crisis. It’s not about land, or water or conserva-tion. There are plenty of rules in place to preserve these resources. Little has been done however, to encourage the next generation of

farmers to step in and provide society’s food, feed, fuel and fi ber. With so many U.S. farmers so close to retirement, and a generation of young people less inclined to follow in their parent’s footsteps, one wonders, who will be farming this land in 2025, a scant 13 years from now?

What a professor at the Univer-sity of Missouri is doing to address this potential shortage of knowl-edge and skill won’t by itself pro-vide the necessary transfusion of youth. But it’s a good start. Kevin Moore, an associate professor of

Vietnam has purchased $133 mil-lion, 19 percent more than in 2011. As part of the Trans-Pacifi c Partner-ship (TPP), there is a strong pos-sibility that Vietnam will represent an even greater opportunity for U.S. beef exports.

TPP is a multilateral trade agree-ment between the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, Mexico and Canada. Under this agreement, the beef industry could see the elimination of tariff and non-tariff trade barriers that have plagued the industry for many years. While the fi nal terms of the agreement are still far from conclusion, TPP could give the United States a stronger foothold in the growing Asian and Pacific Rim markets. Also, TPP could set the stage for future trade agreements that allow a science based and market driven set of guidelines to spur economic growth.

Another market with vast po-tential for U.S. beef and live cattle exports is Russia. Currently the fifth largest export market for U.S. beef at nearly $214 million through August 2012, Russia has experienced a 31 percent increase in American beef sales since 2012. Russia recently became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO). As part of the accession agreement with the United States, Russia established an import quota of 60,000 metric tons for frozen U.S. beef and an unlimited allotment of high quality beef at a 15 percent tariff. If all goes well, this could be another great opportunity for the

beef industry. At the same time, Russian demand for U.S. live cattle is through the roof. According to the U.S. Department of Agricul-ture (USDA) over 43,000 head of U.S. live cattle were sold to Russia from January to August 2012. The demand for America’s superior ge-netics and technology has created a tremendous opportunity for U.S. cattle families who are willing to expand into this niche market.

Many are saying that these advancements sound good, but given the volatile political situa-tion in Washington how can we be sure this isn’t just a house of cards that will collapse after the election? How do we know that President Obama may decide trade no longer matters? Fortunately, both parties agree that trade is and will con-tinue to be a fundamental part of our economic recovery. President Obama promised to double exports in fi ve years and so far he has done a good job at making sure the FTAs with Korea, Colombia and Panama are implemented, and his team is hard at work on the TPP agreement and expanding trade with other countries. Many cattlemen have been through tough times before and with their backs against the wall, they stuck it out and came out stronger on the other side. Without question, times are tough right now and it will take our industry some time to replenish the losses nature has dealt us. But keep in mind the one advantage we have; U.S. beef and livestock are superior products that foreign consumers want to purchase.

U.S. Agriculture Needs A Transfusion Of Youthagricultural economics, teaches a class at UM called “Returning to the Farm.” It prepares students to overcome the financial and personality hurdles of becoming a farmer. “The purpose of the class

is to teach students the skills that they will need to overcome the fi -nancial and societal pressures they face when going back to the family farm or starting their own farms,” Moore said. The class focuses on

subjects such as financial plan-ning, developing business plans and features visits from farmers and professors who cover topics



Beef PromotionUpdate

www.vabeef.orgBeef! It’s What’s For Dinner!®December 2012

A Monthly report on your Checkoff Dollars at work

from the Virginia Beef Industry Council

Beef Buzz

To promote beef for the holiday season, the Virginia Beef Industry Council (VBIC) has partnered with grocery retailers statewide. The “Beef. Always in Season.” brochure has been placed in more than 300 grocery stores. This handy guide offers simple, confi dence building tips, a roasting timetable and four roast recipes, each featuring a different beef cut. The VBIC has also placed beef posters and signage in stores to grab consumers’ attention to beef roasts in the meat case. In-store radio spots remind shoppers the beef they love is one powerful protein and bring awareness to the beef cuts they can fi nd on sale. For your own copy of the “Beef. Always in Season.” brochure, please call the Virginia Beef Industry Council offi ce at 540-992-1992.

Anne Jones, Director of Beef Promotion

The holiday season is the perfect time to promote family celebrations and special dining occasions. This holiday season, the Beef Checkoff is partnering with Chateau Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and their Columbia Crest brand to promote the perfect holiday roast meal.

In addition, Columbia Crest is actively involved with Feeding America, a hunger relief chari-table organization whose mis-sion is to feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks. Colum-bia Crest is donating $100,000 to various food banks across the country this holiday season to help in the fi ght against hunger. This includes the Capital Area Food Bank in Virginia.

The promotion includes dis-plays in grocery stores includ-ing case cards, signage and bottle neckers featuring beef recipes including a new holi-day beef rib roast recipe. Neck hangers will also feature $2 off a beef purchase. The Beef Checkoff logo will also appear on social media including Twit-ter and Facebook.

Beginning Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, 2012, a veal retail pro-motion has been formed in partnership with the beef check-off and Casillero del Diablo Brand Spanish Wines, the larg-est marketer of Spanish wines in America, the California Milk Marketing Board and Classico Sauces.

This retail promotion will benefi t everyone in the veal in-dustry by stimulating consumer purchases of veal cutlet sales throughout the 2012 Holiday Season. The fall retail promo-tion centers around an Instant Redeemable Coupon (IRC) placed on 300,000 bottleneckers on Casillero del Diablo wines in over 50 supermarket chains across the United States. Par-

Virginia Beef Council • P.O. Box 9 • Daleville, VA 24083 • 540.992.1992

ticipating supermarkets include chains such as COSTCO, Kroger, SAMS Club and WalMart.

The IRC coupon helps con-sumers save up to $2.55 for the Legendary Veal Parmigiana. It’s $1 off veal, $1 off Classico

Pasta Sauce and $0.55 off Real California Made Cheese. That’s the makings for a fantastic holi-day meal.

The beef checkoff investment helps to fund the layout, design, printing and distribution of the

bottleneckers. The IRC redemp-tion for the veal cutlet purchase will be paid by Casillero del Diablo wines.

For more information, visit VealMadeEasy.com or MyBeef-Checkoff.com.

Promotions To Boost Beef Sales During The Holiday Season


ANGUS MEANS BUSINESS.A reliable business partner is difficult to come by. At the American Angus Association®, a team of skilled Regional Managers can guide your operation toward success.

Contact Will Mayfield to locate Angus genetics, select marketing options tailoredto your needs,and to access Association programs and services. Put the business breed to work for you.

Will Mayfield,Regional Manager

3201 Frederick Ave.Saint Joseph, MO [email protected]

NortheastRegion

3201 Frederick Ave. • St. Joseph, MO 64506816.383.5100 • www.angus.org

© 2012-2013 American Angus Association

News from the Hollow

With the election over maybe we can sit down for a nice supper with-out all of those annoying calls. The unemployment rate has to go up because all of those phone people have to be without a job.

Driving by the old home place, it is funny how everything looks so much smaller than I remembered

as a child. The side yard where we played ball does not look any big-ger than my garage and the front yard football fi eld might have been 20 yards. As I looked in the back yard the old turkey pen was still standing,I remember dad bringing home a small turkey for us kids to raise for Thanksgiving. We fed

McDonald’s announced its glob-al comparable sales decreased 1.8 percent in October, the fi rst decline in nine years and a larger drop than Wall Street was expecting. On average, analysts were expect-ing a 1.07 percent decline in global sales at restaurants that have been open at least 13 months, according to Consensus Metrix. The com-pany reported sales were down 2.2 percent in both the United States and in Europe. October sales were down 2.4 percent in the Asia/Pacifi c, Middle East and Africa region.

“Though October’s sales results refl ect the pervasive challenges of today’s global marketplace, I am confi dent that our strategies and the adjustments we are making in response to the current busi-

ness headwinds will build sales momentum and drive sustained, profi table growth,” said McDon-ald’s President and Chief Executive Offi cer Don Thompson, in a news release.

In the United States, modest consumer demand and heightened competitive activity offset the im-pact of local Dollar Menu advertis-ing, the Monopoly promotion, and the recent launch of the Cheddar Bacon Onion premium sandwich-es, according to the release, which added, “Moving forward, the U.S. remains focused on enhancing its value leadership position by bal-ancing strong everyday value mes-saging with affordable premium menu options.”

A good crowd turned out No-vember 10 for the C&J Cattle/HHF Production Sale. The bulls and cows were minimum priced and it was a snappy event. 21 Angus bulls averaged $3190. The Lot 1 bull, a son of Nichols Extra K205 sold for $8,000 to Eric Bray, Stars Peak Farm, Jonesville, North Carolina. The bull EPDS were CED +8, BW +1.1, WW +59, YW +113, MILK +33, SC +1.02, RADG +16, MARB +50, RE+46, $W 40, $B70. His test ADG was 3.88 R125, YW 1330 R114.

The second high seller was a C&J consignment sired by Moh-nen Dynamite 1356. This poplar bull carried EPDS of CED +11, BW -0.8, YW +102, SC +76. He sold to Delbert Rexrode, Doe Hill, Virginia for $4900.

8 bulls sold in the $3500 to $4200 range. They were topped by a son of SAV Final Answer 0035 that went to Dave Norford, Charlottesville, VA for $4200. Four registered cows averaged $2150. Gerald Myers of Harrisonburg, VA bought the top

Ole Buster everyday ,heck we even trained him to fetch a ball and to shake hands. It did not take long for Buster to become part of the family.Then the day approached for us to do the unthinkable ,get Buster ready for the Thanksgiving table. Dad sent us out to take care of busi-ness and of course nobody had the heart to say goodbye to Buster.Our dad fi nally said for us to get back

inside and he would do it.Now to this day nobody knows what hap-pened to Buster,some say they saw him in a traveling circus,others say they saw him hitchhiking on I-81. All I do know is that we started a new Thanksgiving tradition that year—Every Thanksgiving we have roast beef for our Thanksgiv-ing feast!

Everything in the Hollow is

great, we are getting ready for the Christmas season,yes we still call it Christmas here in the Hollow and Santa is alive and well. Guess I had better go it is time for me to make the devil eggs. One good thing about a small brain is that most of my articles are not to long. Take care and remember to hug the kids and kiss the wife.

CU Butch

C&J/HHF Bulls Average $3190seller for $2500. She was a daugh-ter of GAR New Design 5050 with

a heifer calf at side by SAV Final Answer 0035.McDonald’s Logs First

Comparable Sales Drop In 9 Years



Edgewood 2X15 173HIGH SALE INDEX BULL

CED BW WW YW

+8 +0.6 +53 +101

Milk MB RE $B

+33 +0.37 +0.48 +70.01

PERFORMANCE DATA:BW 68 l .WW 804 l . 108 R ioe YW 1338 l . 121 R io e D 3.64 l . d 106 R io

CARCASS RATIOS: RE 102 M 103 2

Selling Saturday, December 8, 2012

12 noonCulpeper Agricultural Enterprise, Culpeper, VA

R M RE RMe e e de o 757 880 7274 e e e de o i . oe e e de o757 2 8 6300 e e e de o i . owww.edgewood g . o

o ei e540 231 15g ei e .ed

www. i . . .ed

EPDs current as of 11/7/2012

Edgewood 2X15 173

Sells as Lot 64

BCIA 55th Annual Culpeper Senior Bull Sale

Jim Church, University of Idaho Extension

Cattle producers have known for a long time that wild cattle were probably less profi table than their calmer contemporaries, but there wasn’t a great deal of hard data to back up this suspicion. Research conducted by Dr. Rhonda Vann at Mississippi State University, in collaboration with Texas A&M University, showed that disposition has a direct effect on weight gain or loss and ultimate carcass qual-ity. Dr. Vann’s research showed that docile cattle were more feed effi cient and more profi table even

while grazing pasture. According to her study, the wild cattle gained less in both the pasture and feed-lot, had poorer ultrasound carcass data, had tougher meat, had a higher incidence of dark cutters and had more carcass discounts for lower quality than the docile cattle.This resulted in less profi t per head for the wild cattle compared to the docile cattle. So what can produc-ers do to improve disposition? Start by culling the really wild cattle in the herd and select replacement bulls and heifers with acceptable docility EPDs.

Docility Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) are one of the

Using Docility EPDs To Improve Disposition In Cattlenewer EPD values developed by the beef industry. It was fi rst imple-mented by the North American Limousin Foundation and is now being used by the American An-gus Association along with other breeds. The docility EPD predicts the differences in probability that offspring will be scored either a 1 (docile) or 2 (restless) instead of a 3, 4, 5 or 6 (nervous to very aggres-sive) on the docility scale. The EPD

for docility is expressed as a per-centage. The higher the EPD value for docility means that the offspring should possess genetics for calmer behavior. EPDs for docility can be developed when purebred pro-ducers submit information on the temperament of their cattle. Below are the docility scores assigned to the cattle while they are held in a squeeze chute:

Docility Score

1. Mild disposition, does not pull on headgate, exits chute calmly.2. Quiet, but stubborn, may pull back on headgate and exits chute quickly.

3. Nervous and impatient but manageable. Repeated pushing and pulling on headgate, exits quickly.

4. Flighty, wild, jumpy or out of control. Defecates and urinates dur-ing chute work, continually fl icks

Scott P. GreinerExtension Animal Scientist,

Beef Virginia Tech

The 55th annual sale of the Vir-ginia BCIA Culpeper Senior bulls will feature approximately 59 fall-born yearling bulls on Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 12:00 noon at the Culpeper Agricultural En-terprises located on Route 29 just south of Culpeper, Virginia. These 59 fall-born bulls represent the top end of the 73 bulls developed. Currently, 49 Angus, 1 Gelbvieh, 1 Gelbvieh Balancer, 2 Simmental and 6 SimmAngus bulls are avail-able for sale on December 8th.

Again this year, we will feature video clips of each of the bulls available for sale. The clips are grouped in 3 groups. These video clips give the buyer a good oppor-tunity to preview the bulls prior to sale day, and can be found on the BCIA website http://www.bcia.apsc.vt.edu.

The majority of the bulls selling

are sired by trait-leading, highly proven AI bulls of each breed. All bulls selling meet minimum genetic requirements (EPDs) to sire calves for the VQA Purple Tag Feeder Calf Program. Bulls have been screened for reproductive and structural soundness, and offered as guaranteed breeders. Complete performance informa-tion will be available on all bulls, including growth, maternal, and carcass EPDs, detailed test per-formance information, and ultra-sound data.

In addition to the bulls, BCIA will feature a select group of bred heifers, cow/calf pairs, and year-ling heifers for sale, immediately following the bulls. These females come from Glenmary Farm and consist of 10 Angus and Angus cross bred heifers, 20 Angus and Angus cross 3-4 year old cows with 30-60 day old calves at their sides, 15 Angus and Angus cross

2012 Culpeper Senior Bull Sale



Don’t miss the boat on this exciting event!

Get Your Boots

on the Bay!

Pack your boots and head to Tampa, Florida for The 2013 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show!

This is the premier event for anyone in the cattle business- it’s the one you can’t afford to miss.

2013 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show

February 6-9 Tampa, FL

www.beefusa.org


Docility

tail. Has large fl ight zone and runs fence and jumps when pushed.

5. Same attributes as score of 4 but is also aggressive. May exhibit at-tack behavior when worked singly. Very vocal in chute.

6. Extremely aggressive. Thrashes about or attacks when pressed. Pro-nounced attack behavior.

How to use docility EPDsLet’s say our cattle chase us

around the pen and we want to select a bull that will improve our herd’s disposition. On sale day we look through the bulls and have narrowed our choice down to two prospects, Bull A and Bull B.

Bull A has a docility EPD of +15 percent and Bull B has a docility EPD of +5 percent.

Bull A = +15 percentBull B = +5 percent_______Difference 10 percent In this example, 10 percent more

of the offspring from Bull A will be expected to be scored either a 1 or 2 on the docility scale compared to the offspring of Bull B. Therefore we would want to select Bull A. If we are looking at just one bull, we would need to compare the EPD

to the breed average to determine if we were improving disposition. The Angus breed has an average Docility EPD of +9 percent. If the bull we were about to buy had a +3 percent docility EPD, we would ex-pect 6 percent fewer calves scoring a 1 or 2 for disposition compared to the average bull of the Angus breed. In other words, this bull would not improve disposition.

SummaryProduction costs continue to

increase for cattle producers. If we are losing $60 per head due to dis-position, it is time to make genetic selections to reduce the number of bad actors and in turn increase profi ts. As mentioned earlier, wild cattle:• Are a safety risk to handlers and other cattle• Increase the requirements for handling equipment• Are a liability exposure for pro-ducers• Cause reduced feed effi ciency and feedlot performance• Create carcass quality issues• Cost money

Producing good disposition cattle will pay in the long run. Your hired help and your spouse will thank you as well.

Registered Angus Bulls for SaleSTRAIGHTSTONETRAIGHTSTONE ANGUSNGUS, LLC

“When buying bulls, pay for genetics, not by the pound.”Females and Embryos also available.

Straightstone Avg. EPD CED MILK MARB RE $W $B 7.5 28 .73 .53 28.58 68.66 6.0 23 .39 .34 27.25 58.45Angus Breed Avg. EPD

Non-parent Bulls, Fall 2012

Straightstone Angus, LLC4394 Straightstone RoadLong Island, VA 24569

Robert “Doc” Durr, owner

434-335-4169 • 434-222-1880 (cell)[email protected]

Selling Sons of: Bextor, 5050, Objective, Rito 9M25, Consensus 7229,Trust, Limelight, Redirect, Predestined and others.

SSuperior Genetics

uperior Performance(TM)

SSuperior Genetics

uperior Performance(TM)


MORE

Virginia Beef Cattle Improvement Association

2 Sale Credits @ $500Wytheville,

March 23, 2013Culpeper,

December 2013

Department ofAnimal & Poultry Sciences

Amelia Area Cattlemen, LLC

Quaker Hill FarmTHE ROSSOM FAMILY

5728 Poindexter RdLouisa, VA 23093

Charles : 540.894.3523 • Lee: 540.894.3386

Selling Angus, Sim-Angus& Simmental Bulls

FP.O. Box 150, Washington, VA 22747

Brooke Miller, MD(540) 522-8363

Hodge Miller(540) 272-4967

H [email protected] 276-620-4271

Gelbvieh, Balancers & Angus

Registered Angus

BULLSFOR SALE

Private TreatyPerformance Testedand Pasture Ready

12 to 17 months old

Web Site – http://aacattlemen.comEmail Address – [email protected]

Cell # - 804-337-2513Offering Fall Bred Heifers

Knoll Crest FarmApril, 2013

Benfield Angus

Deerfield, Virginia540-939-4608

www.benfieldangus.com - [email protected] - [email protected]

White Ridge Angus

Somerville, Virginia540-850-0266

Your Source for Angus Cattle With Substance

17th Annual Bull Sale Saturday, March 16th 2013

LazyAcresFarm

2013 Virginia Cattlemen’s

AssociationPublic Policy &

Action FundBull and Heifer Auction

Please make plans at theState Convention on

February 1, 2013 after lunch to participate in this fundraiser to support VCA public policy work. We are once again offering for bid $500 credits towards the

purchase of breeding cattle.

Consignors Include:Benfi eld-White Ridge Angus

Edgewood AngusKnoll CrestMystic Hill

Whitestone FarmAmelia Area CattlemenGoodwin Family Farms

Echo Ridge FarmGinger Hill Angus

Daltons on the SycamoreMcDonald FarmsLittle Windy HillQuaker Hill FarmLazy Acres Farm

GoodwinFamilyFarms


Gelbvieh Breedersof Virginia, Inc.

6916 Peppers Ferry Rd.Max Meadows, VA 24360

President: Nathan Haver - 540-997-5376Vice President: Tom Lavelle - 276-223-4488Secretary: Joe Wilson - 276-628-4163Treasurer:Judith Sweeten - 276-228-6347

American Gelbvieh Association | 10900 Dover St., Westminster, CO 80021

303-465-2333 | www.gelbvieh.org

Add Pounds. Add Profit.

Gelbvieh influenced females attracted many of the most pro-gressive commercial producers in the industry with the first Meat Animal Research Center (MARC) germplasm study data in the early 1970s. Gelbvieh-sired females topped the charts on fertility, age at puberty and pounds of calf weaned per cow exposed. Today’s MARC data shows the Gelbvieh breed has reduced mature cow size, has the lowest birth weights

of the four major Continental breeds and still maintains the earliest age at puberty. Fads come and go in the beef industry, but the real money to be made is always on the cow side of the business. To find a Gelbvieh breeder near you or for more information on how Gelbvieh-sired females can work hard for your bottom line visit www.gelbvieh.org or contact the American Gelbvieh Association at 303-465-2333.

Gelbvieh-Sired Females – Working Hard for Your Bottom Line

LAST CALLGELBVIEH

Tom Lavelle, DVM2984 Peppers Ferry Rd.Wytheville, Va. 24382

(O) 276-223-4488(H) 276-223-0104

CHARLES E. ATKINS,OWNER

(276) 783-6100

Flowing Spring Gelbvieh6235 Lee Hwy.

Atkins, VA 24311

SOUTHFORK FARMSGELBVIEH &

BALANCER CATTLE

Nathan and Sue Ellen Haver969 Little River Rd.Goshen, Va. 24439

540-997-5376 540-997-5358 (Fax)866-580-5335 (toll free)

email- [email protected]

LITTLE WINDY HILLFarms

Doug & Sue Hughes6916 Peppers Ferry RoadMax Meadows, VA 24360

H 276/637-3916O 276/637-4271

Triple D

Treble W RanchRegistered Gelbvieh Cattle

HandfulaGelbviehs

Black, Polled, Purebred & Balancer Gelbvieh CattleStephen, Vivian, Megan &

Caitlin Fanning7287 East Blue Grass Trail

Bland, VA 24315(276) 722-2034(276) 620-0054

REGISTERED POLLEDGELBVIEH

C.H. Morris & Sons928 Morris Road

Appomattox, VA 24522

Roger L. Morris(434) 574-6592(434) 315-4294

17462 Fenton DriveAbingdon, Va. 24210

Dr. Daryl Wilson/Tyler Wilson(276) 676-2242

Joe & Gwen Wilson(276) 628-4163

[email protected]

James D. Bennett Paul S. Bennett(434) 376-3567 (434) 276-5675

17659 Red House RoadRed House, Virginia 23963

Offi ce (434) 376-3567Fax (434) 376-7008

Jim G. Bennett Brian R. Bennett(434) 376-5760 (434) 376-5309

2157 Black LickRural Retreat, VA 24368

Judith A. SweetenRegistered No. 48890

Home: 276-228-6347Cell: 401-714-6812

Registered GelbviehRed and Black Polled Bulls

13052 Ivor Rd., Sedley, VA 23878Willie Diggs 770/591-3454Alan Diggs 757/653-0174

Milton Diggs (Home) 757/859-6118Milton Diggs (Cell) 757/328-8459

Email: [email protected]


The Cattle Market

For more information contact:The Livestock Market or VDACS • Warrenton, VA • 540/347-2188

VA SLAUGHTER CATTLE SALESVIRGINIA FEEDER CATTLE

Tel-O-Auction On-Farm SalesDirect Merchandising of Load Lots of Virginia Cattle

DECEMBER2012 SALE DATES

Monday .......................December 10 ...........................6:00 p.m.

Virginia Cattlemen’s Association(540) 992-1009

Virginia Dept. of AgricultureLivestock Market Services

(804) 786-3935

DECEMBER 2012

DATE TIME LOCATION PHONEThursday December 6, 2012 2:00 PM Virginia Livestock - Front Royal 540-635-5511

Thursday December 13, 2012 2:00 PM Fredericksburg Livestock Exchange 540-373-8207

Tuesday December 18, 2012 2:00 PM Virginia Livestock - Front Royal 540-635-5511

Thursday December 20, 2012 3:00 PM Staunton Union Stockyard 540-886-5131

Warren Prosser, Cattle Fax

It is fairly apparent that the cattle industry is facing tight feeder cattle and calf supplies. One must consider that tight supplies impact feeder cattle values in a complex way - not just higher values to a stocker and/or producer. Unless lower feeder

supplies force lower beef produc-tion and higher live cattle prices, lower feeder supplies simply im-ply lackluster feeding margins as opposed to higher values. U.S. net beef supplies have been higher than a year ago for the entire year of 2012, as carcass weights are up, imports are up and exports are

down. 2013 may be a different story. However, consider that just because placements may be down 20 percent, net beef supplies may only be down 3 percent for the same reasons as 2012.

“Mr. Market” is already ex-hibiting tight feeder supplies. The accompanying table is using the 91 percent accurate futures

model statistical regression. The model evaluates deferred live cattle futures, which should be anticipating future beef supply and demand and corn futures. This model is adjusted to re-fl ect the statistical maximum for nearby feeder cattle futures. At the moment, feeder cattle values

Market Currently Refl ects Tight Suppliesare rougly $9/cwt overvalued relative to live cattle and corn futures. The reason for the over-valuation is that tight supplies imply poor feeding margins, which are expected to continue. The caveat is that if the cattle feeder were to regain margin, feeder cattle could be nearly $20/cwt overvalued relative to live cattle and corn prices.

Current fundamentals for live cattle and net beef supplies do not support values north of $140 for a sustained period - if at all. Moreover, corn futures over the next few months should trade between $6.90/bu. and $7.85/bu. on the futures market. Using these fundamental price ranges for corn and deferred live cattle futures, feeder cattle futures’ fair market value, presuming roughly $9/cwt margin loss to the cattle feeder, is likely $142-$158/cwt.

Bottom Line: Given that cattle feeding margins are horrid at current prices and record premi-ums exist in deferred live cattle futures, the market is already trading tight feeder cattle sup-plies. Therefore, any additional upside to current feeder futures will require higher live cattle values and/or lower corn fu-tures. One must keep in mind that if for some reason the cattle feeder were to regain leverage (highly unlikely at the moment), feeder cattle futures are likely $15/cwt overvalued relative to corn and live cattle futures.


VIRGINIA CHAROLAIS ASSOCIATION2011-2012

VCA Offi cers

Rob Farmer – President8030 Greenwich Road

Catlett, VA 20119540-270-3886

Bill Thompson – Vice

President1295 Park Avenue

Clifton Forge, VA 24422540-968-1987

Naomi Farmer – Secretary

8030 Greenwich RoadCatlett, VA 20119

540-270-3886

Walt Winkler – Treasurer124 Kindig Road

Waynesboro, VA 22980540-943-6144

Gerry Scott - Past

President7126 Glanaman Way

Warrenton, VA 20187540-379-1975

Chad Joines -

Southwest DirectorJunior AdvisorVirginia Tech

Dept of Animal & Poultry Science

Blacksburg, VA 24061540-557-7263

We would like to invite anyone interested in becoming a member of our association to call one of the offi cers listed on this page.

Charolais bullsfor the most

discriminating buyer

124 Kindig RoadWaynesboro, VA 22980

Walt Winkler(540) 943-6144

CrossMountain Cattle Co.

Robert Farmer8030 Greenwich Rd.Catlett, VA 201195

540-270-3886Gerry Scott 540-379-1975

Cell 540-968-1987Fax 540-962-7508

BreedingPolled-Registered

Performance CharolaisWilliam and Agnes Anderson

P.O. Box 304Altavista, VA 24517

(434) 369-5366

“Keeping the commercial producers in mind”

River Croft Charolais CREWS FARMS

Registered Charolais

784 Payneton RdChatham, VA

Billy Crews, Barry CrewsBilly C. Crews, Brent Crews

(434) 656-2361(434) 656-3771

Our VHI Sale in Blacksburg, VA was a great success. Thanks to auctioneer Smith Reasor, Rural Retreat, VA and Sale Manager Leo Muncy of Pipestem, WV.Gross cattle sales were $99,981,

for an average of $2439 for 41 lots.Our sale gross, including

embryos, semen and a fl ush was $106,051High selling lots:$15,900 Pick of 2012 3 open

heifers from Eaton Charolais Lindsey, MT sold to Southern Cattle Co., Marianna, FL.$3550 Cow/calf split from DMC

Charolais, Bastian, VA. Cow/calf to Oliver W Kim, Glen Allen, VA $2550. Bull calf to Eddie Skeen, Nicklesville, VA $1000.$3350 Cow/calf split from

Grandview Farms, Amhearst, VA. Cow to Bill Montgomery, Ewing, VA $1700. Bull calf to Charles Parsons, Wytheville, VA $1650.$3500 Bull from VA Tech,

Blacksburg, VA to Restuccia and Sons, Hillsville, VA.$3100 Cow/calf pair from VA

Tech, Blacksburg, VA to Larry Edwards, Mt Ulla, NC.

All members of the Virginia Charolais Association are entitled to join all the sales

we sponsor.

Our next Virginia Charolais female seed stock sale will be at the

Virginia Beef Expo in April 2013 in Harrisonburg,

Virginia

Our next Virginia Charolais female seed stock sale will be at the

Virginia Beef Expo in April 2013 in Harrisonburg,

Virginia


“Our cows work for us; so our bulls will work for you!”

McDonald Farms2070 Walnut Springs Road

Blacksburg, VA 24060540-552-2520 * 540-552-2947

www.mcdonaldfarms.comBLACK POLLED SIMMENTAL and ANGUS CATTLE

Private Treaty Sales ofbulls, heifers, cows & embryos

TRIO FARMS, INC.3070 US HWY BSN 340

Luray, VA 22835Jerry Burner (540) 743-3446

SUPPLYING QUALITY CATTLE SINCE 1971

YEAR

ROUNDYEARROUND

www.triofarmsinc.com

McIntireCattle Company

Andy McIntire(540) 955-0066

P.O. Box 103Berryville, VA 22611

Main Anjou • Show Calves • Breeding CattleTop Sires Distributor • Renaissance Livestock Minerals

Blue Ridge HerefordsIncrease your cow herd’s fuel mileageUSDA Line1 Bulls for Black Cow Herds

Complete performance and carcass dataR. J. Lester, Axton, VA

434-334-1376 - day • 276-650-8445 - night

EXCEPTIONAL BULLS FOR SALE

FREE BULLS FOR SALEPositive contributions toward temperament, fertility and

cowherd retention makes for a strong case to utilizeHeterosis in the many Black cowherds of Virginia.Polled Hereford Bulls with complete performance

and carcass data for sale. Call for current date and video.

R J LESTER • BLUE RIDGE HEREFORDS • AXTON, VIRGINIA434-334-1376

BBB BBB BBB

EXCEPTIONAL BLACK AND

RED SIMMENTAL GENETICS

3691 S. Middle Rd., Quicksburg, VA 22847(540) 335-1885 • [email protected]

www.shenandoahvalleysimmentals.comHome of “the keepin’ kind”

PRODUCTION PRODUCTION SALESALE

NOV. 17THNOV. 17TH1:00 PM1:00 PM

Whitney Grove434-525-9745

Groveland FarmForest, VA 24551

Complete EPD’s & Breedings Ages

Angus BullsREGISTERED, AI SIRED

YourAd Here for $30.00

Call Kim at540-992-1009

ROANOKE-HOLLINSSTOCKYARD

HOLLINS, VIRGINIA

Sales Every Monday2:00 P.M.

QualityFeeder Cattle

Graded Steers, Bulls and Heifers WeeklyChris Theimer, Manager

540-992-1112


Culpeper Senior Bull Sale

yearling heifers and 5 Charolais cross yearling heifers. The set of bred heifers are bred to Sinclair Line X 8SV6 and due to calve in February/March 2013. The group of yearling heifers are AI bred to Kesslers Front Man. Videos of the heifers are available at www.glenmaryfarmllc.com.

VA BCIA would like to thank Southern States and Mike Sha-nahan of Shanahan Cattle Pro-motions for their support of this popular feature.

For video clips as well as cata-logs and detailed information on the bulls visit the website http://www.bcia.apsc.vt.edu, or phone VA BCIA at 540-231-9159 or Glen-mary Farm at 540-672-7396.


Transfusion Of Youth

such as estate planning, business organization and tax manage-ment. “If students are prepared to face the fi rst fi ve years of busi-ness, they can be successful in the farming industry,” Moore said. “The class helps them prepare for these situations.”

Moore believes many young children of today are more at-tracted to what they see as more lucrative, non-farming careers

and an urban lifestyle. Public perception of agriculture has fallen in recent years, adding to the pressure to seek employment elsewhere. Moore says parents often wait too long to discuss their children’s goals. “All too of-ten, assumptions are made about the next generation coming back to the farm,” Moore said. “This leaves a lot of planning and deci-sions for later, during crunch time when kids have already made

decisions about the direction of their lives. If younger adults are going to continue to choose not to go into the farming industry, then we may run into a problem, within the next decade or two, due to the lack of farmers in the United States.” Moore points out that only 5 percent of principal farm operators nationwide are under the age of 35. With one-third of U.S. farmers now at 65 or older, time is running short.


Feedlot Prospectshigh pressure resulting from chronic feedlot excess capacity will increase sharply in 2013 and 2014,” Peel said. “The recent announce-ment of the closure of a sizable feedlot in Kansas will surely not be the last such news in the com-ing months.” Cattle and calves are the number one agricultural com-modity produced in Oklahoma,

accounting for 46 percent of total agricultural cash receipts and adding approximately $2 billion to the state economy, according to National Agricultural Statistics Service data. NASS data indi-cates Oklahoma is the nation’s fifth-largest producer of cattle and calves, with the third-larg-est number of cattle operations in a state.


POTTS CREEK FARMJASPER & ALICEPERSINGER, JR.

2917 POTTS CREEK ROADCOVINGTON, VA 24426

[email protected]

HARRY & BARBARA KNABE

2074 Gravel Hill Rd.DILLWYN, VA 23936

(434) 983-31102.2 MI. EAST ofU.S. 15 on 617

FAUQUIER FARM6470 BEVERLYS MILL ROAD

BROAD RUN, VA 20137HOME 540-347-4343

OFFICE 540-347-7188NORTHERN VA areaCATTLE FOR [email protected]

CEDAR PLAINS FARMR.E. BALTIMORE, OWNER, MANAGER, FIELD HAND

150 Cartersville Ext.Cartersville, VA 23027

(H) 804-375-3071(O) 804-399-7409

“All Cattle Made In America”

BAY BROOK FARMRODNEY & BARBARA PHILLIPS

4277 FACTORY MILL ROADDABNEYS, VA 23102

[email protected]

“Hereford Bulls for saleat all times.”

KNOLL CREST FARMJAMES, PAUL, JIM, BRIAN BENNETT

17659 RED HOUSE RD.RED HOUSE, VA 23963434-376-3567 OFFICE

434-376-7008 FAXJAMES BENNETT - 434-376-7299

PAUL BENNETT 434-376-5675JIM BENNETT 434-376-5760

BRIAN BENNETT 434-376-5309

DEER TRACK FARM3320 Deer Track Rd.,

Spotsylvania, VA 22551ROBERT SCHAFFER540-582-9234 (FARM)

[email protected]

HICKORY SPRINGS FARMJOHN BRASUKRT. 2 BOX 211-A

FAIRMONT, W.VA. 26554304-363-5918

[email protected]

PLAINFIELD FARMA. W. GARDNER

P.O. Box 90Newburg, MD 20664

Telephone: 703-819-9664email: [email protected]

NORVUE FARMJACK SHEEHAN

4442 Factory Mill Rd.Dabneys, VA 23102

Telephone: 804-556-4947email: [email protected]

FROGTOWN ACRESJERRY & REBECCA FUNKHOUSER

417 Frogtown LaneEdinburg, VA 22824

Home: 540-984-8833Jerry Cell: 540-333-1019

Rebecca Cell: 540-333-1019email: [email protected]

MEADOW RIDGE FARMS, INC.

DOUG & MELISSA HARRISON2184 Hillyard Drive

Broadway, VA 22815540-896-5004

[email protected]

DUNROVINDON & SHEILA RICHARDSON

3473 DUNROVIN FARMCROZET, VA 22932

434-823-4438e-mail: [email protected]

attractive, thick cattle with great carcass traits using

DR WORLD CLASSCOMPLETE (A TOP 774 SON)

DIAMOND “W” FARMKen & Doris Worley

25052 Rich Valley Rd.Abingdon, VA 24210

276-944-3458cell: 276-356-3458

[email protected]

WILLINGHAM FARMALTON & BETTE WILLINGHAM

P.O. BOX 148REMINGTON, VA 22734

540-439-8666located on Rt. 656 between

Remington & Bealeton

ROLLING HILLS FARM420 NORTH HAYFIELD RD.WINCHESTER, VA 22603

Sid & Dorothy RogersHOME - 540-888-3134CELL - 540-539-3352

[email protected]

MAPLEWOOD FARMJOHN AND KAREN FLEISHMAN

DANIEL AND ELIZABETH5442 Daniel Cupp Road

Dayton, VA 22821John - 540-421-9511

Daniel - [email protected]

MOUNTAIN LION MEADOWTODD, LYDIA, LAYLA AND LILLY SCOTT

1191 Spring Mill RoadConcord, VA 24538

434-665-1224434-993-2502

OAK CREEK FARMBILLY AND JACKIE KOONTZ25840 Independence Road

Unionville, VA 22567540-854-6567

[email protected]

GREEN PASTURES FARMJIM EASTEP

132 BAUSERMAN ROAD Mt. Jackson, VA 22842

540-335-6109

ROCK MILLS HEREFORDSPAUL AND KIM NOVAK

240 THUNDER VALLEY LANE Castleton, VA 22716

[email protected]

STONE RIDGE MANORDAN AND SETH SNYDER654 COLD SPRING ROAD

Gettysburg, PA 17325717-642-9199

[email protected]

Thank you for attending the Fall Bonanza and the Junior Fall Round-Up.

Our next event will be theSpring Bonanza at the Virginia Beef Expo,

April 19-21, 2013.The Virginia Hereford Association would

like to wish everyone a wonderful andblessed holiday season!


is a full service farm equipment dealership in Southside Virginia

that has been in business for over fi fty years. We carry numerous product lines in order to

match the right product to your needs.

“Distributor for both Virginia and North Carolina”

Mark Your Calendar!

Selling 140 quality bred heifers onJanuary 15, 2013 at 7:00 PM atRockingham Livestock Sales in

Harrisonburg, VAAll heifers confirmed to calve in March

and April of 2013

For more information contact: Jim Chambers Fred White 540-490-9050 540-908-6678


Joe Moore, President • 540-569-6219

Cattle Guards14 x 8 – $800

8 FT CONCRETEFEED BUNKS

U or J Bunk $150Calf Bunk $100

West End Precast

276-620-1821

All prices FOB Wytheville, VADelivery Available

South Dakota Extension

Most beef producers under-stand that when the weather gets colder their cows need more

energy to maintain their body condition. The questions are when do cows start experiencing cold stress and then how much more energy do they need? When we’re considering cold stress, we need to factor in both the actual temperature and the wind speed to determine the effective temperature. In Table 1 you can see wind speed can dramatically

lower the effective temperature the cattle experience. Any kind of available protection, whether natural or man-made, can be very valuable in reducing the amount

of wind chill. The second consideration is

just exactly when does a cow be-gin to feel cold stress? The point of cold stress, or lower critical temperature, depends in large part on the amount of insulation provided by the hair coat. As shown in Table 2, that insulation value changes depending on the thickness of the haircoat and

Understanding The Effects Of Cold Stress On Beef Cowswhether it is dry or wet.

As a general rule, for every de-gree that the effective temperature is below the lower critical tem-perature, the cow’s energy needs increase by 1 percent. For instance if the effective temperature is 17 degrees F., the energy needs of a cow with a dry winter coat are about 15% higher than they would be under more moderate condi-tions. That energy requirement jumps up to about 40% higher under those conditions if the hair coat is completely wet or matted down with mud.

One of the ways that the cow responds to cold stress is by in-creasing voluntary feed intake. The animal’s entire metabolism system increases in activity. Also, the passage rate of roughages through the rumen and digestive tract increases. These changes trigger an increase in the cow’s appetite and voluntary intake. Some observed changes in intake

based on temperature are shown in the Table 3.

There are some management considerations that we need to keep in mind regarding changes in feed intake in response to cold stress and the cow’s need for more energy.

• Make sure that water is avail-able. If water available is restrict-ed, feed intake will be reduced.

• If the feed availability is limited either by snow cover or access to hay feeders, the cattle may not have the opportunity to eat as much as their appetite would dictate.

• Be careful providing larger amounts of high concentrate feeds. Rapid diet changes could

cause significant digestive up-sets.

It’s important to remember that cattle can adapt to short term weather changes relatively well without a signifi cant impact on performance. A cow can deal with a few cold, miserable days without suffering long-term ef-fects. However, ignoring the energy costs of long-term cold stress greatly increases the risk of problems down the road during calving and subsequent re-breed-ing performance. Any steps that we can take to lower the cold stress the cows have to contend with, such as providing wind and weather protection, help reduce her maintenance requirements.



Donald Stotts, Oklahoma State University

Conversations about Mayan prophecies of doom have been all the rage this year, but for the U.S. cattle industry, dim feedlot prospects for the future have been a much more worrisome topic. “Not only are feedlots paying record prices for feed and essentially record prices for feeder cattle, it has been recognized for quite a while now that the supply of feeder cattle will be increasingly inadequate to maintain feedlot inventories at any price,” said Nathan Anderson, Payne County Extension director and agricul-tural educator. Looking ahead, one of the biggest concerns is beef demand. Obviously, if demand were strong enough, the margin squeeze felt by feedlots – and packers – could be eliminated. “The next two years will put beef demand in relatively uncharted waters so it is impossible to know exactly what to expect,” said Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension livestock marketing specialist. “However, it seems likely that beef demand will continue to limit retail and wholesale beef prices relative to the input price squeeze that feedlots, as well as packers, will continue to face.”

Drought is another culprit that has contributed to feedlots’ dif-fi cult circumstances. Two years of unplanned additional herd liqui-dation has pulled cattle supplies lower than market conditions appear to support. “Without the 2012 drought, corn prices might be closer to $5 per bushel instead of near $8 per bushel,” Peel said. “While these short-run factors would have changed the feedlot picture somewhat, they do not change the fact that the role of the feedlot sector is changing and must change fundamentally in the future compared to how it has operated in the past.” Since the 2006 crop year, season average corn prices have averaged $4.50 per bushel. From the 1965 through 2005 crop years, corn prices aver-aged $2.15 per bushel. In that time period, in only three years – 1980, 1983 and 1996 – did the season average corn price exceed $3 per bushel. Crop-year-average

corn prices have exceeded $3 per bushel every year since 2006.

“It is likely that corn prices in the future will average at least twice the level under which the feedlot industry we know today evolved,” Anderson said. “The point is that even without the drought, feedlots face a signifi -cantly different business environ-ment.” Forty years of cheap corn had many structural implications on the beef industry, most of which were manifest through the feedlot sector. Much of the changes in cattle genetics and preferences for animal size and type were largely a function of feedlot-driven de-mand, which was in turn based on inexpensive corn. “More than anything else, feedlots have become a calf-feeding industry where an ever-higher percentage of the total cattle weight, and thus beef production, has been based on grains,” Anderson said.

As cattle numbers peaked in the 1970s and then began to fall, feedlots maintained inventories by feeding lighter and younger animals for longer periods of time. In the decade of the 1970s, the average January 1 feedlot inventory was 13 million head, with an average all-cattle inven-tory of 120.4 million head and an average estimated feeder supply of 42.1 million head. “Feedlot inventories represented slightly less than 11 percent of total cattle numbers and 31 percent of feeder supply,” Peel said. “This last fi gure means that there were ap-proximately three feeder cattle available to replace every animal already on feed at the beginning of the year.” These proportions persisted into the 1980s but began to change late in the decade. The changes became more dramatic in the 1990s with feedlot inventory representing nearly 13 percent of total inventory and more than 40 percent of feeder supply. Thus, there were typically fewer than 2.5 replacement cattle available for every animal in the feedlot during the 1990s.

In the last 10 years, the situ-ation has reached an extreme level. While total cattle inventories have fallen to an average of 94.6 million head for the 2003-2012 time period, and feeder supplies have fallen to an average of 27.4

Feedlot Prospects Worrisome For U.S. Cattle Industrymillion head, average feedlot in-ventories increased to 14 million head. Feedlot inventories have represented almost 15 percent of total cattle inventories and 51.4 percent of feeder supplies for the

last decade. The record-setting January 1 cattle-on-feed inventory was 14.8 million head in 2008, an increase of 14 percent from the 1970s despite the fact that total cattle inventories decreased 20

percent during the same time pe-riod. “Slight decreases in feedlot inventories since 2008 have been more than offset by decreased


Virginia Angus AssociationFelicia G. Roberts, Office Manager

P.O. Box 209 Fishersville, VA

Email: [email protected] Website: www.vaangus.org

Email: [email protected] Us on the Web at www.locusthill.com

“Quality from the Ground Up”

We MEAT your needs!!W MEAT d !!

Family BusinessSince 1960

703 Woodman Rd.Rock Mount, VA 24151

John Thurman540-493-6025

Jason Thurman540-493-4813

Steve Furrow540-520-4804

Zach, Dara & Dalton Tucker211 Four Locust Lake Lane

Keysville, VA 23947(434) 735-8161 * (434) [email protected]

www.fourlocustangus.com

James D. Bennett(434) 376-3567Jim G. Bennett(434) 376-5760

Paul S. Bennett (434) 376-5675Brian R. Bennett(434) 376-5309

“Serving the Beef Industry Since 1944”17659 Red House Rd.Red House, VA 23963

f ce 4 4 4 4 Private Treaty Female Inquires Welcomed

Bulls and Females available via private treaty and consignment sales

rehart

ngusThe Arehart’s

2835 Shutterlee Mill Rd.Staunton, VA 24401

(540) 885-8732Cell (540) 290-2240Cell (540) 290-4251

The Program with A PlanThe Plan with A Purpose

Bulls & Heifers availablePrivate Treaty

ANGUS FARM

Dennis J. Pearson8459 March Wales Road

Warrenton, Virginia 20186(540) 326-2222

Email:[email protected]: www.soldiershillangusfarm.com

Virginia Angus Breeders Page

www.edgewoodangus.comVisit for availability

December 1

Murcielago Farms Fall Bull Sale

Scottsville, VACATALOG AVAILABLE AT WWW.VAANGUS.ORG

December 1

Edgewood Angus Open House

West Point, VA

December 7

Knoll Crest Farm Fall Bull Sale

Red House, VA CATALOG AVAILABLE AT WWW.VAANGUS.ORG

December 8

BCIA Culpeper Sr. Performance Tested Bull Sale

Culpeper, VA

December 8

Southwest VA Angus Association’s Finest Sale

Abingdon, VA

December 25

VAA wishes you and your family

A VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY!

PLEASE REMEMBERVAA is taking donations of canned food and non-

perishable food for our adopted family. Please call the of ce if you ish to donate food or gifts for the

t o small boys.

HAPPY HOLIDAYSFROM VAA

Hill Crest FarmThe John Rucker Family

2394 Deleplane Grade Rd.Delaplane, VA 20144

540-364-2875

Poor House AngusJerry & Connie Hall

PO Box 528Upperville, VA 20185

540-364-2875Fax: 540-364-3315Cell: 540-454-1512

Cattle Available by Private TreatyWatch for our consignments in Virginia Sales

We welcome

your visit

Family owned & operated

CSF Cattle Company7725 North Lee Highway

Raphine, VA 24472. . it gerald, wner 54 4 47

hance nyder, Herdsman 54 2 7 [email protected]

All Cattle Available by Private Treaty!


VirginiaCattle Company

Radiant, VA540/672-1760

Graded Feeder Cattle Sale Every Tuesday10:30 a.m.

Tel-O-Auction Hook-up Available

Board Cattle and Private Treaty Sales

Also Available

Gary Vance540/622-4889

Vaughan Cattle Company

AMELIA, VA

New Hay & Silage Feeders For SaleFOR SALE

J&L Haysavers & Stoltzfus Feed WagonsCompetitive-pricing

FARM EQUIPMENT FOR SALEIH 1466 Tractor with 2350 IH loader

IH 966 Tractor with canopyIH 424 Tractor Gas

We are located in Amelia VA.If you have any questions, contact

Vaughan Cattle Company at

1-804-338-28201-804-543-2283

Morgan Slaven

The holiday season is upon us. As the Christmas music begins to invade the airwaves and decora-tions start making their appear-ance on homes, there is a sense of excitement to carrying out long time traditions of food and fellow-ship. There are special gatherings of friends and family, church and community events that share the reason for the season, and, per-haps the most thrilling of them all, the opportunity to partake in the recipes that only your grand-mother can perfect. Our heritage seems to shine through around the holidays.

Even though cattle producers love the holiday season as much as our non-farming friends, there is one thing they can do without: snow.

From the inside of a warm home, freshly fallen snow looks beautiful, like a white blanket gently tucked into the landscape. However, when I farmer wakes up to fi nd two feet of snow greeting him at the door, you will see him shake his head and probably hear him mumble under his breath. When I was little, I didn’t under-stand why my father didn’t get as

excited about the snow as I did. For me, it meant a day off from school spent baking Christmas cookies with my grandmother, or my grandfather building the perfect sledding slope for my siblings and I.

It wasn’t until I was older and I started spending my days off from school tagging along with Dad that I understood why my own father despised the snow. Farm work is hard enough as it yet, but when you throw snow and ice into the mix, simple tasks turn into all day chores. The worst part isn’t even the day it snows; it’s the day after it melts, when the sparkling white blanket that covered the land dissolves into a muddy, slushy mess that won’t go away until the next big freeze. Even now that I am at school, this prejudice I have against snow has followed me and I dread waking up to fi nd snow clouds hovering overhead in the Blacksburg sky.

However, some of the best memories I have of my Christmas breaks involve the time spent with my family and cattle in the snow. Like having to walk individual bales out to the cows from the road when three feet of snow blocked the entrance to our rental

cattle inventories and feeder sup-plies,” Anderson said. In 2012, the January 1 feedlot total was 14.1 million head, which represented a record 15.6 percent of total cattle inventories and 54.9 percent of feeder supplies. This means that there are currently 1.8 feeder ani-mals available for every animal in feedlots.

“Obviously, the only possibility for this level of feeder cattle sup-plies to maintain feedlot invento-ries is with the very slow turnover rate that comes with feeding ever lighter and younger animals for long periods of time,” Peel said. “Corn prices that average twice the historical level and currently are 3.5 times historical levels make this economically infeasible.” High corn prices are a strong incentive for more yearling feed-ing rather than calf feeding. Peel and Anderson point out that the

rebuilding of beef cattle invento-ries will eventually allow feedlots to respond appropriately to high corn prices by placing heavier cattle and reducing days on feed. “Then and only then will the beef industry be able to respond to high grain prices to its fullest po-tential,” Anderson said. “Unfortu-nately it will likely take until 2015 or 2016, and possibly later, before any appreciable increase in feeder supplies can occur. The manner of feedlot business that carried the sector through the herd declines of the 1980s through 2006 is not feasible now.”

Anderson and Peel contend that for the foreseeable future, feedlots are faced with the dilemma of feeding economically infeasible animals, not having enough ani-mals to feed or both. “The already

Holiday Traditions In A Farming Familyproperty, or having to ride shot-gun with a newborn calf we found in the snow, the heat blowing full blast to warm him up. In fact, I would say that while not always convenient, sloshing through the snow has given me many priceless memories that are beginning to shape my own traditions for the holiday season.

While our opinion of the weath-er may always be different than that of the consumers we serve, time spent in the snow is just part of the long standing tradition that farmers uphold, along with working nights, weekends, and holidays. So in the season of being thankful, I will count these snowy memories among the many bless-ings I have for being raised in the cattle industry. Snow, or no snow, the Virginia Tech Beef Leadership Council wishes you and yours a very happy and safe holiday season.


Feedlot Prospects



Dublin Feeder Cattle Assoc.

2013 Feeder Cattle Sales

Wednesday, January 9

All BreedCalf Sale

Dealers5C Farm and Home Supply

Pulaski540-994-5566

Big M Farm SupplyMeadowview276-944-5431

Cattlemen’s SupplyWeyers Cave540-908-0421

CFC Farm and Home CenterCulpeper 540-825-2200Marshall 540-364-1533

Rappahannock 540-987-8555Morrisville 540-439-3254Warrenton 540-347-7100

Dodds Farm Supply LLCCharlotte Courthouse

434-542-5901

Farmers FeedNorth Tazewell304-320-4126

Frank WaltonRoseland

434-944-1830

Freeze LivestockElkton

540-405-2826

G&E FarmsGretna

434-489-4458

Galax Farm SupplyGalax

276-236-3721

Laurens Southern States and Ace HardwareLawrenceville434-848-4124

Leggett Town and CountryDanville

434-797-9300

Lucas FarmsBlacksburg

540-449-5997

Lynchburg Livestock MarketRustburg

434-821-5956

Maddox Feed StoreLouisa

540-967-0669

Moneta Farm and Home Center

Moneta540-297-5558

Mountain View FeedsRocky Mount540-263-1021

Page Co-OpLuray

540-743-5194

R.G.Cattle Company LLCCheck

540-651-8626Roberts Farm Center

McKenny804-478-4004

Smoky Slope FarmStanton

443-553-7292

Spaulding EquipmentCompany

Clover434-735-8161

AW TomlinMadison Heights

434-316-3054

Washington Farmers Co-OpAbington

276-628-9135

West End FeedsWytheville

276-228-5024

Winchester Co-OpWinchester

540-662-0375

Please Visit one of the Following Virginia Dealers

GOT GRASS CATTLE?Top Prices for Feeder Steers and Heifers

Double J Livestock LLCWEEKLY BUYING STATION MON & THUR

4176 Silling Rd., Dayton,VA540-879-BULL (2855)

Direct Agents forSlaughter & Feeder Cattle Sales

JBS FED Cattle Buying Station1st & 3rd Monday of each month

Federal & State Licensed & Bonded

Mike Allen • 540-476-4680 - Load LotsJames Housden • 540-476-0269 • Feeder/FatsBarry Wilkins, Jr. • 540-607-6032 • Feeder/Fats

We started out the year in Pasa-dena riding in the Rose Parade as part of RFD-TV’s 100 Palominos entry. I came home with fl owers in my hair! It was one of fi ve speaking programs I did (out of 65 in 2012) that were in Califor-nia. The National Western Stock Show in Denver has been a big part of our lives for years. I see a lot of friends walking the barns and signing books and often do a program somewhere in town. We lived in Colorado for many years before moving to Arizona.

January-February also includ-ed two events I never miss, the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko and the National Cattlemen’s Association annual meeting, in Nashville this year. I spent time with my TV and radio sponsors. They include B&W Trailer Hitch-es, Sweetlix, IMI Global, The Beef Checkoff, RFD-TV and U.S. Farm Report. I’m a good boy and try to make myself useful!

March brought in the “South-ern Alberta Cowboy Tour”, which was me! We hit all the big cities; Calgary, Edmonton, Mon-treal…no, pardon me, Pincher Creek, Stavely and Youngstown! They’ve got more character in one community hall than all the legislators in Washington, DC and Ottawa combined!

I had the pleasure of being part of the Horseman’s Reunion in Paso Robles. I got to hang out with Martin Black, Larry Mahan, Craig Cameron, Chris Cox, Pat Parelli, Bryan Neubert and Bill Ink, etc. Pretty exciting. Of course, being true horsemen, they paid me in horse. With a little more work I think I’ll be able to get on him without earin’ him down!

Summer fl ew by, Cindy Lou and I spent a few days in one of my favorite places, Acadiana, Louisiana. We got to see some friends who had hosted my son

Christmas Letter From Baxter

and I when we went down to help after the hurricanes. We also made the Florida Cattlemen’s meeting at Marcos Island then went home with one of the ranch-ers. I saw more rain in one day than I had seen all Spring here at home!

In June we pulled some calves off early and took ‘em to town due to the drought. Then came the fi res!

Since I met Cindy Lou at the Arizona Cattlemen’s Association back in the Dark Ages, we try to make the summer meeting. It’s sure ’nuf cowboy and we feel right at home.

Priefert Company has taken us into their “endorsee” category. We fl ew to Mt. Pleasant, TX to meet the boss and see the shop. A great group; My kinda people! While we were there we got to see our son who is goin’ to school in the area.

“On the Road Again;” Lewis-town, MT, Tulsa, OK (saw my daughter, son-in-aw, and year-old grandchild!), Dallas, Port-land, ME, College Station (the big Horse Initiative), the Ozark Farm Festival, Cincinnati, Washington State U, the Bell Ranch, Sterling, CO, Loomis, CA, shipped more calves and deer season (a nice 4-point.)

In the last four weeks be-

fore Christmas I spoke to the Cattlemen’s Associations in SD, KS, NE, NM, and IA…salt of the earth!

I know that we as a nation are still tryin’ to drag ourselves out of the mess we have made of our country. In my travels this year I have seen many thousands of people with their shoulder to the wheel holding us all together.

They are the ones that still be-lieve in Kennedy’s words, “Ask not what your (government) can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Thanx for bein’ there for us all.

Merry Christmas, God Bless ya’ll, and pray for “Next year better!”

baxter www.baxterblack.com


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G E FeedsGeorge WinnGretna, VA,

434-489-4458

Lucas FarmsJoe Lucas

Blacksburg, VA540-449-5997 - Cell

540-552-5997

Moneta Farm & Home Center

Stuart WoodfordMoneta, VA

540-297-5558

Crop Production Services

David BrankleySouth Hill, VA434-447-7603

PB FarmsLaurel Fork, VA(704) 425-7114

Don PriceCrewe, VA

434-294-1772

R.G. Cattle CompanyRandell Gearhart

Check, VA 540-651-8626

A.W. TomlinMadison Heights, VA

434-316-3054

Frank WaltonAmherst, VA • 434-944-1830

West End FeedsChris UmbergerWytheville, VA

276-620-1821 • 294-1772

Spangler Farm SupplyScottsville, VA434-286-3200

Out of AI sires & damsAll home bred & raised

MARTIN MACQUEEN

101 Pioneer Road • Covington, VA 24426 • 540.965.2199

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Bucking a decades-long trend, global meat consumption de-creased slightly last year as severe drought in China, Rus-sia, the United States and Africa curbed production and raised prices, according to a new report from Worldwatch Institute. Meat consumption has increased 15 percent worldwide since 1995. Growth is slower in industrial-ized countries, up 2 percent over that period, compared with a 25 percent gain in developing coun-tries. Pork was the most popular meat in 2011, accounting for 37 percent of both meat production and consumption, at 109 million tons. Yet pork production fell 0.8 percent from 2010.

The environmental research group predicted poultry would become the world’s most-pro-duced meat in the next few years. Poultry meat production rose 3 percent last year, to 101 million tons. The report also highlighted a dramatic shift in where beef is produced, from industrialized to developing countries, over the past decade. North America led the world in beef production in 2000, at 13 million tons. By 2011, North America had lowered its beef output by 200,000 tons and was overtaken by Asia, which produced 17 million tons, and South America, with 15 million tons.

Tom Johnston, Meating Place

USDA’s Agricultural Market-ing Service today launched on its website industry standards for tenderness marketing claims. AMS developed standards by which meat processors can receive USDA certification for “tender” or “very tender” prod-uct through third-party verifica-tion, AMS Deputy Administra-tor Craig Morris told processors here at the North American Meat Association’s outlook conference. The thresholds for tender product are a Warner Bratzler shear force of 9.7 pounds and a slice shear force of 44 pounds. The respec-tive thresholds for very tender product are 8.6 pounds and 33.7 pounds. The thresholds can be adjusted based on industry con-sensus, Morris said. Five years in the making, the standards aim to address variability in tenderness,

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USDA Launches Tenderness Marketing Claim Standards

which has been an issue particu-larly with select-grade beef cuts. The program was developed amid

the rapid proliferation of value cuts and increasing tenderness marketing claims, Morris said.

Global Meat Consumption Posts Rare Dip

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