Prime-Time-Winter-2018

In addition to selecting cattle for specific traits, Brown’s sixth commandment focuses on testing and measuring cattle – thou shall test cattle for all economically relevant traits, while developing them for longevity. As Akaushi breeders grow and develop cattle, Brown encouraged them to test and measure cattle for all eco- nomically relevant traits. All cattle on the R.A. Brown Ranch are measured for calving ease, birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, hip height, ribeye, back fat, feed efficiency, average daily gain, heifer pregnancy, stayability and a long list of other traits, including feet, teat and udder scores that don’t have EPDs to aid in selection yet. “We measure a gazillion things, it seems like,” Brown said. However, measuring for economically relevant traits aids the Brown family in developing cattle for longevity, which is important to their customers. Thou shall not mess up another man’s cow herd is commandment number seven. Selling cattle is a big responsibility and something that should be taken very seriously. Producers invest their lives build- ing their cow herds, so it’s important to keep that in mind when selling cows and bulls. “You better make sure the cattle you sell as breeding stock are right,” Brown said. “And not just right for carcass merit, not just right for growth, but that they make good mommas.” Commandment number eight – thou shall produce what the customer wants to buy instead of just trying to sell what you want to produce. This is the bottom line of seedstock production. When Brown returned to the ranch after college, they were raising seven breeds of cattle on their ranches in Texas and Colo- rado. Over time, he said, that was nar- rowed to three, “because we’ve found it’s a whole lot easier to sell what the customer wants to buy than to try and sell simply what you want to produce.” Trust plays a significant role in making a sale, so it’s important to continually work to earn, and maintain, customers’ trust. Following the ninth commandment, thou shall do and say all things with

honesty and integrity, will help produc- ers do just that. In the seedstock business, one of the best ways to adhere to this commandment is by submitting true, accurate, complete, timely and honest data in proper contemporary groups. Unfortunately, Brown explained, not everyone understands the definition of proper contemporary groups. “When I say proper contemporary groups, I’m saying give every calf in a contemporary group equal opportunity to express their genetic differences.” That means a calf that is raised in the pasture does not belong in the same con- temporary group as a calf that receives extra feed because it is exhibited at shows during the summer. The two do not have equal opportunity to express their genetics. EPDs do not measure environmental fac- tors, which is why it is so important that producers submit accurate data. Being surrounded by honest people of high integrity is another way to help ad- here to the ninth commandment. When 1/4 Vertical, 4 color Prime Time Landair Winter 2018

Continued page 30

Landair, Inc. Beeville, Texas CUSTOM CATTLE PRECONDITIONING Bull and Heifer Development Programs Corn silage-based growing rations for stocker/feeders calves and for seedstock bull and heifer calf development. • Prepare your stocker cattle for turnout of the feedyard! • Prepare your replacement heifers for breeding and /or special sales! • Prepare your seedstock bulls for the commercial cattleman or for the special sale ring! • Private treaty sales at the ranch! • Tailor-made programs to fit your needs – BIG or SMALL! • We now offer PI (Persistently Infected) testing upon request! Let us do what we are good at – FOR YOU!

Brown Ranches has been in operation in South Texas since 1924. Five generations of the Austin Brown family have worked very hard to be the best stewards of the land and livestock that have been so graciously entrusted to us. Landair, Inc. 2050 Brown Ranch Lane ● Beeville, Texas Austin Brown III: 361-597-0373 (cell) Ranch Office: 361-358-1093 aebrown70@gmail.com www.brownranchgroup.com Photo courtesyofRossHecox,WesternHorseman Proud supportersof the BeefCheckoff and TexasBeefCouncil.

29

www.akaushi.com • Winter 2018