Simplot - Q4 2018

Simplot - Q4 2018

Winter 2018

Stockmen’s Report

223 Rodeo Ave. Caldwell, ID 83605 | 208-459-0777 | www.simplot.com/livestock_products

Body Condition Scores and Why They Matter Great communication with our customers is key to our success as a business. It is our goal to keep you more informed than ever with this seasonal newsletter!

Keeping cattle at their optimal weight when it’s cold out can be a challenge for even the most experienced ranchers. The animals burn more energy to keep warm, requiring more feed than normal. Cattle whose body condition is over or underweight will be less reliable breeders come spring. As one Virginia Tech study found, “The percentage of open cows, calving interval, and calf vigor at birth are all closely related to the body condition of cows both at calving and during the breeding season.” Put in layman’s terms, keeping your cattle at a healthy weight heading into the spring is vital for a sustainable herd. To keep an eye on cattle’s weight year- round, many ranchers, researchers and nutritionists use a numeric scale called Body Condition Scoring, or BCS. This management tool allows you to quickly evaluate your animals and make adjustments when needed. The scale ranks cattle from a rating of 1 (emaciated) to 9 (extremely obese). The ideal range for a cow’s health and for highest rebreed potential is the 5-7 range, according to a six-herd study performed by Oklahoma State University. But how does one go about scoring their cattle on the BCS chart? The scale uses six reference points on the cow’s body as indicating factors. These are the pins, tail head, hooks, back, ribs, and

brisket. BCS evaluations are more accurate than measuring liveweight alone because liveweight can be affected by the animal’s overall stature and factors like pregnancy.

If you have a cow that falls outside of the ideal BCS range — whether under or overweight — consider consulting a veterinary nutritionist. They can give you a realistic feeding regimen to get your animal in shape in time for calving. Come in to your nearest Simplot Western Stockmen’s, and our animal health experts can help you create a winter plan to meet your specific needs. We even offer a full line of manufactured feed and can create custom feed rations. Getting your cattle in shape before calving can make a huge impact on the success of your ranch for years to come. So while it’s okay to let yourself put on a few extra pounds this holiday season, it’s crucial you don’t let your cattle do the same.

(Figure 1)

Evaluating your herd’s BCS allows you to sort cattle into individual feed groups based on the season and their nutritional needs. Since feed makes up roughly 60 percent of the cost of an average calving operation, ensuring you’re using your feed economically will keep your herd and your pocketbook healthy.

From all of us at the Simplot Western Stockmen’s team, happy holidays!

Simplot Western Stockmen’s | 1

Meet

My name is Russell Paceley, and I am the dairy sales representative for the Magic Valley. I was born in Concord, California, and moved to Illinois when I was 6 months old. I was raised in both central Illinois and Utah. My wife, Merry, and I live in Twin Falls, Idaho. We have a son, a daughter, and seven grandchildren — five girls and two boys. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my kids and grandkids. I graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. In 1988, I started my career managing a farm-supply store in Utah. I have worked for MoorMan’s feed, Purina feed, and two milk-replacer companies. I started working for Simplot Western Stockmen’s (SWS) in 2009. I worked here for four years, took a one-year hiatus, and was lucky enough to be invited back in 2014. Growing up in Illinois, most of my friends wanted to raise corn and soybeans. Not me — the only use I had for corn and soybeans was to feed them to an animal. My love for animals started at the age of 5, when my Aunt Rosie took me to the Illinois State Fair. I lived nine miles from the University of Illinois and thought I wanted to be a vet. I originally wanted Winter Tr Show Sc Winter is quickly approaching, and Simplot Western Stockmen’s wants to make sure you have everything you need. Our animal health experts are ready to help you get winter-ready quickly. Now is the time to ask questions about your winter plan. The

Any changes in feed need to be gradual to give rumen bacteria time to adjust to the changes. If the calves are coming off of the desert, the current protein levels are 5-6 percent. These calves need to be transitioned to a diet that is around 14 percent protein. Grass hay is an excellent roughage to feed weaners as they transition to the diet they will receive for the next few months. Always remember to have fresh, clean water available at all times. Tank heaters may be required to keep water available. Calves should be fed a mineral-rich vitamin feed that is balanced for their nutritional requirements. Some producers use injectable products to get blood and tissue levels up to normal faster than using regular feed alone. It seems to help, and I see those products used more and more. Diets need to contain enough energy to accomplish the goals you are looking for. Suggested daily gain for replacement heifers is about 1.75 pounds per day. If gain is greater than that, the heifers will get too fat and their fertility may be impaired. It’s recommended to talk to your nutritionist to determine how best to feed market cattle to maximize gain and feed efficacy. Appropriate implants will increase daily gain and improve feed efficiency. Ionophores, such as monensin and lasalocid, will increase feed efficiency. None of these products should be used in cattle going into natural programs. Ionophores are toxic to horses. All calves should receive a minimum of a seven-way or eight-way Clostridial vaccine and a four- or five-way viral vaccine. Killed vaccines usually require a booster in three or more weeks. All replacement heifers need to be vaccinated for brucellosis by a veterinarian. Unvaccinated heifers may be restricted from going to a registered feedlot or slaughter. Check with your state’s regulations. Other vaccines may be needed depending on history and local recommendations. All calves should be treated for internal parasites. Injectable wormers are more effective than pour-on wormers. Some ranchers use both a pour-on and an oral-drench, which will give broader coverage than a single product. External parasites, such as lice, will survive after frost, while flies will disappear as we get into winter. One may have to treat for lice several times throughout the winter and spring, as treatment does not kill the eggs the adults lay in the hair coat. Calves should be checked for coccidiosis via fecal exams by a laboratory or veterinarian. Any level detected should be treated, as these parasites decrease feed efficiency and depress the immune system. Treatment may be done in feed or water medications. All require at least five days of treatment, and some may take up to 28 days. -Dick Fredrickson, DVM Doc Talks: Caring for Calves After Weaning

Event Title

End Date Start Date

Washington Cattle Convent Idaho Dairy Convention Idaho Cattlemen’s Annual C Nevada Cattlemen’s Conven Oregon Cattlemen’s Conven Washington State Dairy An Pacific Northwest Nutrition Western Dairy Management

11/7/2018

11/9/2018

11/7/2018

11/8/2018

11/12/2018

11/14/2018

11/15/2018

11/17/2018

11/29/2018

12/1/2018

12/3/2018

12/5/2018

1/14/2018

1/15/2018

2/26/2019

2/28/2019

2 | Simplot Western Stockmen’s

ussell Paceley

• • I am proud to work for Simplot Western Stockmen’s. SWS is an honest and ethical company that provides an assortment of quality products, from feed to hardware. A salesperson is only as good as the people who support them. In my opinion, the support staff at Simplot Western Stockmen’s is by far the best in the industry. They go through extensive training and provide us with all the necessary resources to stay up-to-date on industry best practices. de edule Ingredients 1 tablespoon pepper to work on a hog farm in the Midwest and had no interest in sales. When I was 8 years old, I sold several hundred dollars’ worth of junk to our neighbors, so it made perfect sense to my parents when I ended up in sales. I have never regretted my decision to sell to agricultural producers or work for SWS. I think that I set myself apart from the competition by truly listening to my customers and providing a solution specific to their operation. I like to think of myself as a consultant first and a salesman second. For my customers to view me as an asset, they need to have trust in my knowledge and experience. If I don’t know the answer to a question, I’ll be honest about it. Then I’ll go research the problem and get back to them with a solution in a timely manner.

The nature of the company and the quality of the people who work here make me thankful to work for Simplot Western Stockmen’s.

Want to contact me? You can give me a call at 208-312-0357 or email me at [email protected].

BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH EASY CRANBERRY BALSAMIC SAUCE

2 tablespoons fresh thyme, chopped

• 1 whole beef tenderloin roast (about 4-5 pounds) • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar • 3 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped • 1 can (16 ounces) whole berry cranberry sauce • 1/4 teaspoon salt

SWS team will be attending the following trade shows, and we’d love if you stopped by our booth to say hello.

Directions

1. Heat oven to 425 F. Combine thyme and pepper; reserve 1 teaspoon seasoning mixture for sauce. Press remaining seasoning mixture evenly onto all surfaces of beef roast. 2. Place roast on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of beef. Do not add water or cover. Roast in 425 F oven for 45-55 minutes for medium-rare, 55-65 minutes for medium. 3. Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135 F for medium-rare, 145 F for medium. Transfer roast to carving board; tent loosely with aluminum foil. Let stand 15-20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10-15 F to reach 145 F for medium-rare, 160 F for medium.) 4. Prepare sauce. Combine vinegar and shallots in small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 3 minutes. Stir in cranberry sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 6 minutes to blend flavors, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in reserved seasoning and salt. 5. Carve roast into slices; serve with sauce.

Location

on

Kennewick, WA

Boise, ID

nvention ion ion ual Meeting onference Conference

Sun Valley, ID

Winnemucca, NV

Bend, OR

Ground Mound, WA

Boise, ID

Recipe by: www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/

Reno, NV

Simplot Western Stockmen’s | 3

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

223 Rodeo Ave. Caldwell, ID 83605 208-459-0777 | www.simplot.com

Inside

1

Is Your Herd Winter-Ready?

2

Caring for Calves After Weaning

Meet Russell Paceley

3

Winter Trade Show Schedule

Beef Tenderloin With Easy Cranberry Balsamic Sauce

4

Ranch & Farm Hacks

Ranch & Farm Hacks: Simple Wireless Water Heater

This is how Judd heated their 150 gal. water trough.

6. Secure and center your water trough, so it can’t be pushed around. Judd used four T-posts.

1. Pick a place for your water trough to go. Higher ground is preferable so your hole doesn’t fill with water. 2. Dig a 6-7ft hole; the deeper, the better. In Judd’s case, they used a post-hole digger on the back of their tractor and dug an 8ft deep, 18in. wide hole. 3. Find one or two barrels that will fit in the hole. They can be any material, Judd used some old 20-gallon oil barrels. Give at least 2in. of clearance on both sides. 4. Cut the bottoms out of the drums to make a tube. (If you use a culvert, you can skip this step.) 5. Place the tube(s) in the hole, stacked on top of each other. Make sure the top tube is recessed and is at least 4in. from the top of the hole.

At Simplot Western Stockmen’s, we are inspired by the ingenuity of today’s ranchers and farmers. A Ranch & Farm Hack (R.F.H.) is a clever or affordable way of doing things that makes the lives of ranchers and farmers easier. There is nothing worse than going out to feed your animals in the middle of a snowstorm and finding out they destroyed yet another water heater. It turns out there’s a hack for that. You can create a wireless water heater with some materials you might already have laying around. Judd Trolard, from Vale, OR, submitted this “Wireless Water Heater Hack.” He worked as a ranch hand on a 1400+ head beef cattle ranch for many years. This hack works by directing the rising warmth from below the earth’s frost line directly to the bottom of your water tank. “We originally tried this ‘hack’ in our horse pasture. It managed to survive three winters with 40+ horses, and it didn’t freeze once. When I left that ranch, it was still working and it’s probably still going strong,” Judd told us. It is advised to always check your animal’s water for ice in the winter.

7. Fill with water and enjoy.

We want to hear your Ranch & Farm Hacks! Email your farm hacks to retail.contact@simplot. com to be featured in next quarter’s issue!

Water Trough

4 in

Barrel

2 in

2 in

8 ft

Barrel

18 in

(Water Heater)

Caldwell Store 208-459-0806 101 Rodeo Ave. Caldwell, ID 83605

Sunnyside Store 509-836-0267 304 Yakima Valley Highway Sunnyside, WA 98944

Burley Store 208-878-7224 1001 W. Main St. Burley, ID 83318

Jerome Store 208-733-6145 1100 W. Main St. Jerome, ID 83338

Store Locations

4 | Simplot Western Stockmen’s