Prime-Time-Winter-2018

TEN COMMANDMENTS Continued from page 27

fence and watch as things happen. Many valuable lessons can be learned by sitting on the fence, but producers make the great- est difference when they get off the fence and get to work. The fifth commandment encourages producers to work hard to help their customers – thou shall work hard (six days a week) to provide genetics and customer service to improve the profitability and sustainability of your commercial customers. Following this commandment will aid producers in build- ing a strong foundation of loyal customers who return, year after year. Brown reminds producers that not all short-term profitability is sustainable, which is why producers should strive to improve both aspects of their customers’ businesses – profitability and sustainability. Brown provided some words of caution in the pursuit of reaching their own goals – “Don’t let what you want cause you to use bad judgement.” 1/4 Vertical, 4 color Prime Time 3 Ranch/Broken Winds Cattle Co. Winter 2018

Thou shall use DNA to know thy father and mother is Brown’s fifth com- mandment. Sound science and technology should be utilized in a seedstock business “to best identify and multiply the superior genetics,” he said. Referring to his first commandment – keeping the commercial customer first – Brown explained that he considers su- perior genetics to be those that best fit the needs of the commercial customer. DNA testing is one example of an af- fordable technology producers can use to identify and multiply superior cattle. Every calf born on the Brown ranch undergoes a DNA test. “We do a DNA test because we believe it is vitally important to know the facts,” Brown said. Even with a low-density DNA test, producers have access to a plethora of valuable information. Artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer are additional examples of afford- able technology producers can use to “mul- tiply the most superior cattle,” while also focusing on facts. AI has been used on the R.A. Brown Ranch since 1969. Today, ev- ery cow on the R.A. Brown Ranch is bred using either AI or embryo transfer at least one time, “because we believe they are a great tool to mass multiply the most supe- rior genetics,” Brown explained. Donnell Brown (right) and Austin Brown III (left) participate in a panel discussion after Donnell’s presentation at the AAA Annual Convention.

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