The_Ledger_Fall_2019

THE LEDGER Association News | Features | Events & Shows FALL 2019

‘Kickin It in Kansas’ 2019 AJAA Junior National Show

Official Publication of the American Aberdeen Association

Sandford Ranches Start with the best Angus genetics…

Coleman Bravo 6313 Angus Reg# 18734838 Coleman Charlo 0256 x Coleman Donna 714 Co-owned with Coleman Angus

ZWT Paxton 4686 Angus Reg# 17912234 OCC Paxton 730P x Coleman Donna 714 Co-owned with Coleman Angus

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Coleman Charlo 7177 Angus Reg# 19102292 Coleman Charlo 0256 x Coleman Donna 197 Co-owned wiht Coleman Angus

NCC Prestige 317 736K Angus Reg# 18121964 OCC Prestige 672P x OCC Blackbird 736K A maternal sibling to OCC Paxton 730P …to make the best Aberdeen Plus cattle!

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Sexed heifer semen available!

DUFF Mercy Me 459 Aberdeen Reg# 28474 Ardrossan Orient x DUFF 927K Instinct 1541

DUFF Trust Me 2525 Aberdeen Reg# 22055 Fairwyn’s Low Beau 204M x DUFF Amigo 927K Juanda 071

Sandford Ranches Jack Sandford, Greenwood, Texas sandfordcattle@gmail.com Call to order Semen — (940) 389-9225

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Heaven Sent FOR CATTLE THAT ARE

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“Championship Genetics with Commercial Application and Eye Appeal”

FALL 2019 | 3

Fall 2019 INSIDE THE LEDGER

NEXT ISSUE ADVERTISING DEADLINE ISSUE: DEADLINE: Winter 2020 Nov. 25, 2019 The Ledger is recognized by the American Aberdeen Association as the official breed publication for Ab erdeen cattle; however, management, editing and financial responsibilities are vested in BluePrint Media LLC. We reserve the right to edit or refuse any copy or advertising material submitted for publication. BluePrint Media LLC hereby expressly limits its liability resulting from any and all mis prints, errors and/or inaccuracies in advertisements or editorial content. The opinions and views expressed in all editorial material are those of the writer or the person interviewed and not necessarily those of American Aberdeen Association. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: American Aberdeen Association, 19590 East Main Street, Suite 104, Parker, CO 80138. THE LEDGER The official publication of the American Aberdeen Association is published quarterly and mailed to AAA members and interested parties. MAGAZINE STAFF Publisher Blueprint Media P.O. Box 427, Timnath, CO 80547 email: info@blueprintma.com Managing Editor JESSIE TOPP-BECKER jbecker@blueprintma.com • (701) 307-0772 Editor LISA BARD • lbard@blueprintma.com (970) 498-9306 National Account Sales Manager DEAN PIKE • Dean.pike249@gmail.com (303) 810-7605 Designer/Materials Coordinator MEGAN SAJBEL FIELD msajbel@blueprintma.com • (303) 981-4668 Administration LESLIE MCKIBBEN lmckibben@blueprintma.com (608) 573-2530 Copy Editor LARISA WILLRETT facebook.com/TheLedgerMagazine

ON THE COVER A young showman gets advice from AJAA Junior National Show Judge Taylor Frank. Photo courtesy Demi Linn Photography. Additional photos of the AJAA Junior National Show can be found at https://demilinn.shootproof.com/ gallery/9657527/home.

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FEATURES Procedures for DNA and Registry How to be successful in the DNA and registration process. AAA Marketing Campaigns AAA reaches larger, different audiences via social media. In Memoriam: Jim Eldridge Remembering a long time American Aberdeen breeder. Meet the Rancher: Barbour Farms Jim and Kim Barbour prioritize education, quality genetics. 2019 AJAA Junior National Show Results See who took home the banners from this year’s AJAA Junior National Show. 2019 AJAA Junior National Contest Results 12 18 8 10 10

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Find out who was victorious in the various AJAA Junior National competitions.

Innovating Agriculture

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The importance of thinking outside the box.

DEPARTMENTS 6 President’s Column 6 American Aberdeen Events

13 Logistics 16 Junior Corral 16 Ad Index

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FALL 2019 | 5

AMERICAN ABERDEEN ASSOCIATION 19590 East Main Street, Suite 104 Parker, CO 80138 • (303) 840-4343 info@americanaberdeen.com www.americanaberdeen.com BOARD OF DIRECTORS President CRAIG WALKER • W Diamond Livestock Co. 1601 Springfield Rd. • Roswell, NM 88201 (575) 626-7444 wdiamondlivestock@gmail.com www.wdiamondlowlines.com Vice President DARWIN ENGELKES • Pine Hurst Farm 16927 H Ave. • Wellsburg, IA 50680 (319) 415-0540 pinehurstfarm@live.com Secretary NEIL EFFERTZ • Effertz EZ Ranch 17350 Hwy 1804 N. • Bismarck, ND 58503 (701) 471-0153 effertz@bektel.com • www.effertzezranch.com Director GARY GILBERT • Gilbert Aberdeen Angus 3986 Lindahl Rd. • Hermantown, MN 55810 (218) 348-7877 tgjgilbert@aol.com Director ROB FANNING • Fanning Cattle Co. 877 Oakland Lane • Harrodsburg, KY 40330 (309) 373-2996 fanningcattleco@yahoo.com Director WADE COFFEY • 7C Aberdeen Cattle Co. 4001 W Glencoe Rd. • Stillwater, OK 74075 (405) 880-6908 coffeyiron@gmail.com Director

PRESIDENT ’S COLUMN  CRAIG WALKER G reetings, I hope this edition of The Ledger finds you all doing well. The American Ab erdeen Association Board of Directors and committees have been diligently meeting on a regular basis and working toward our goal set in Janu ary to bring unity to this great breed. Thanks to all the members for their dedication! Here are few changes and highlights. It’s a busy time of year for everyone and especially busy for the office and our DNA partner, Neogen GeneSeek. To expedite the DNA process, we have changed a few things. The process now starts at the office or online at www.americanaberdeen.com , where you can download the DNA forms and then submit them to the lab. I caution you to double-check your paperwork and make sure you are using the right form as any misinformation or errors will add extensive time to the three weeks it typically takes for the lab to process DNA submissions. To kick off July, we launched a social media campaign to tell our breed’s ef ficiency story to the masses. It has been well received. Be sure to interact with our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages. The more involvement you have with the page, the more people we reach. The Nomination Committee has been hard at work vetting the nominees for the open seat on the board of directors. Active members, watch your mailbox for a ballot after Nov. 1. Rounding out these last few months, the Sale Committee has things under way for the National Sale in Denver, Colo. Watch for the entry deadlines at www.americanaberdeen.com and social media. Our association is only as great as our membership makes it. We thank you for your involvement and your active role on the committees. If you’re not on a committee, we would love for you to get involved. Your insight and input is important to the breed. TL AMERICAN ABERDEEN EVENTS September 29-Oct. 6 Freyburg Fair, Freyburg, Maine October 12 Shetler Cattle Company 2020 January 22 National Western Stock Show (NWSS) American Aberdeen Junior Show, Denver, Colo.

ALLEN SIEVERKROPP • S Four Farms PO Box 235 • Ephrata, WA 98823 (509) 750-4203 allens4@odessaoffice.com www.sfourfarms.com

Aberdeen Production Sale, Dickinson, N.D. American Royal Aberdeen Show, Kansas City, Mo. Aberdeen Supreme Sale, Gallatin, Mo. Hawkeye American Aberdeen Extravaganza Sale, Online

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AAA Representative  DEAN PIKE

NWSS American Aberdeen Open Shows, Denver, Colo. National American Aberdeen Sale, Denver, Colo.

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Need assistance in purchasing American Aberdeen cattle, marketing your program or herd management? Contact Dean Pike: (303) 810-7605 Dean.pike249@gmail.com

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November 2

June 22-27

2020 AJAA Junior National Show and Competitions, Woodward, Okla.

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For information about registering animals or membership, contact the AAA Office: 19590 East Main Street, Suite 104 Parker, CO 80138 • (303) 840-4343 The American Aberdeen Association is a not-for-profit corporation of North Dakota dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Aberdeen cattle . The International Year Code for 2019 is: G info@americanaberdeen.com www.americanaberdeen.com

Photo by G Squared Livestock

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Photo by Muddy Creek Ranch

FALL 2019 | 7

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Procedures for DNA and Registry

Tips for Success

BY SHERRY DOUBET, REGISTRY SERVICES, AMERICAN ABERDEEN ASSOCIATION T his is the first in a series of articles designed to help American Aberdeen breeders be success ful in the DNA and cattle registration process. We know all breeders want to submit complete and accurate work. This article will set out to help each

Coat Color – Looks at the genes that determine red or black coat color. BVD PI – Will test for the presence of the BVD virus. Sample Pull – If a breeder previously submitted samples and would like additional testing, the lab may be able to pull the stored sample for those tests. Keep in mind, a previously submitted sample may or may not have enough remaining DNA to perform additional tests. Hair Processing – It takes time for a lab technician to individually clip off DNA follicles from the hair card. This is the reason for the additional $4 processing charge for each hair sample. The lab understands hair samples are occasionally a breeder’s only op tion, but just don’t forget to include the additional $4 per sample for each hair card test. Page 2 – DNA form Payment – Credit card payments to the lab are the most efficient payment type. This is the best way to make sure a bookkeeping error on the DNA submis sion form does not hold up the order. Page 3 – DNA form All information on this page is set to match up with the information each breeder will need to register animals with the association. Not only is the designated information im portant to the current animal test, it is also very important for parentage verification of future progeny. Entering the complete tattoo is a crucial part of this process. An animal’s complete tattoo should never change, even if the dam or sire information is determined to be dif ferent than first submitted. Tattoo should include: Herd Letters – Herd letters are verified with each new membership. “AAA” would be an example of herd let ters. Number – Every American Aberdeen animal must have a number as part of the tattoo. People can use the num ber and the year letter as the tag for the animal. Year letter – The letter designates the year of birth for the animal. 2019 – G, 2018 – F, 2017 – E. In addition to sample birthdate and sex information, without accurate information for the sire and dam, the lab will not be able to verify parentage. Currently, complete tattoo, registration number and name of each parent are the required information. Give the lab every chance to de termine parentage the first time by accurately completing the parentage section. One final note. Make sure to check the tests required for each individual animal. If BVD PI was paid for on the animal, the BVD PI box should be checked for that specific line. By following the hints described in this article, each breeder has given themselves a head start for a successful DNA report. Look to future issues of The Ledger for addi tional tips to make animal registration successful. TL

breeder do just that. DNA Procedures

Things to remember regarding DNA: • Order all DNA supplies online at www.americanaberdeen.com . • Use only the Aberdeen DNA form to send DNA samples to lab. • Fully complete the DNA form as noted with example on form. • Plan ahead. DNA results take 3-4 weeks to complete. • Only fullblood American Aberdeen animals require DNA for registration. • For animals 6 months or younger, use TSU or blood cards only. • Send DNA parentage results with fullblood registrations. • Double-check your work. Since Sept. 1, the American Aberdeen Association (AAA) office is now the direct source for all DNA materials. Mem bers now order DNA blood cards, DNA hair cards, Allflex tissue sample applicators and tissue sample units (TSU) right from the AAA website. Just click on Online Payments to place an order. The AAA registry office will then send the ordered DNA supplies along with DNA sampling instructions and the very important AAA DNA Testing Form. All samples sent to the lab must be accompanied with an official AAA DNA Cattle Testing Form. For those breeders who already have DNA testing supplies, the DNA Testing Form can be found on the Register Cattle page. Filling out the DNA form In addition to getting a clean and accurately identified sample, it’s important to accurately fill out the form. Results will be available more quickly with less chance of error. Page 1 – DNA form Double-check that the test information and pricing sec tion is filled out completely. If the pricing section does not match the tests checked on page three of the testing form, the lab will need to communicate with the breeder to deter mine what was requested. Seek Sire Parentage – This is the box requesting parentage verification. Igenity ® Beef Profile – Will not give parentage results but will provide additional genetic information for a specific array of maternal, performance and carcass traits.

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FALL 2019 | 9

Social Media Becomes Focus of Latest Marketing Campaigns American Aberdeen Association taking advantage of opportunity to reach larger, different audiences

BY AGTOWN TECHNOLOGIES A s July heated up, the American Aberdeen Asso ciation (AAA) began a new push of promotions, as social media became the next priority in the marketing plan created by the association’s marketing agency, AgTown Technologies. AgTown co-owner Tonya Pérez unveiled a new Facebook campaign to feature timely and consistent updates. The posts center around the breed’s efficiency and sustain ability, along with education about the breed’s value to the industry. In August, posts focused on a membership and registration drive. Vibrant photos, custom graphics and educational videos tell the breed’s story virally. The efforts are gaining ground with a steady growth in page likes and followers. In a nine-week period, the page averaged 3,300 unique people per week actively liking, sharing or commenting on the page. During that period, a total of 41,400 unique people per week had contact with the American Aberdeen Association Facebook page. The most-viewed post touted a math lesson explaining how run ning 29 additional, smaller cows on the same acreage will produce a near-$20,000 profit over larger cows. That post reached nearly 17,000 people (Figure 1). AgTown also launched association Twitter and Instagram pages in July. Although these smaller platforms don’t have the audience of Facebook, breeders are encouraged to fol low and spread the message. “While the large breed associations have the manpower and funding to promote the breed, it takes everyone’s ef forts in a younger, growing association,” Pérez says. “The association is only as successful as the membership makes it.” Pérez says she appreciates the breeders’ support in engaging the audience thus far, and she encourages breed

ciation.” This will help to build a stronger rapport with Face book while marketing the breed and your own operation. Specific hashtags have been coined to identify breed messages on Twitter and Instagram. (A hashtag draws atten tion to a key term, making it easier for people to find and follow.) Breeders are encouraged to use these hashtags in their own posts: • #AmericanAberdeen • #PremiumAberdeenBeef • #TimesAreChanging • #TheSustainableBreed “There’s tremendous value in social media,” Pérez adds. “It’s a huge opportunity to reach more people in a cheap and convenient way.” TL Follow the American Aberdeen Association online! Facebook: “AmericanAberdeen” Twitter: “@AberdeenAssoc” Instagram: “AberdeenAssoc”

In Memoriam

ers to keep up the good work because that’s what will make the social me dia presence successful. Everyone can help by liking, sharing and commenting on the associa tion’s posts. If you post on your own Facebook page, feel free to tag the “American Aberdeen Asso

J ames “Jim” Eldridge, 77, of Sweet, Idaho, passed away Friday, Aug. 16, 2019. Eldridge was a foun dation American Aberdeen (Lowline) breeder who purchased his first fullblood heifers in 2002. Over the course of the next 15 years, he helped many new breeders get their start with quality seedstock in west ern Idaho and throughout the Northwest. His herd sire, Brenton’s Best Bruiser, was the 46th fullblood bull regis tered in the American Aberdeen herdbook. Eldridge was a straight shooter, a true stockman, horseman and an asset to the breed. He will be dearly missed. TL James “Jim” Eldridge

Figure 1: A July 22 Facebook post explained the math of how more moderate-sized cows can produce larger profits. The post reached nearly 17,000 people, and received 511 reactions, comments and shares on the AAA and shared pages.

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FALL 2019 | 11

Barbour Farms Serving the Northeast and Beyond Through Education and Quality Genetics

BY EMILY STRIBLING, FREELANCE WRITER

T hird-generation dairy farmer Jim Barbour returned to his Halstead, Penn., roots in 2009 after serv ing 23 years in ministry. With the family dairy no longer in operation, he and his wife, Kim, began growing vegetables on the farm, all the while knowing they would like to raise cattle again. To make the best use of their land, the couple was interested in a smaller-framed beef breed. “With our love of animals and genetics, we tried some miniature breeds that didn’t work out for us,” Barbour says. “That’s when we got to looking at Aberdeens and were fas cinated with them.” With “more woods than useable pastureland,” Barbour boasts the American Aberdeen’s great feed efficiency and smaller size make them a more attractive and feasible op tion for producers located in the Northeast. Barbour quickly became involved in the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, serving on the Susquehanna County Farm Bureau Board, just as he did in 1979 at the age of 19. His involvement with Farm Bureau grew to greater state and national participation, specifically on the Promotion and Education Committee, which resulted in a great deal of travel throughout the country. “Everywhere I went in the country for Farm Bureau, we started looking at Aberdeen cattle. Their size, efficiency, docility – it all fascinated me,” he recalls. The couple spent more than three years visiting produc ers, building relationships and viewing cattle across the country. Their travels spanned from Tennessee to Florida, Arizona to Wisconsin and everywhere in between. Their goal was to find their ideal source for American Aberdeen genet ics – more traditional, and smaller in size and stature.

“After three and

a half years, we knew what we were looking for. Our goal is [to produce] our own high quality genetics,” he says. “I often tell people, ‘if this was just about ham burgers, I’d spend a lot less money.’” The Barbours bought their first set of American Aberdeen cattle in November 2017

Jim and Kim Barbour’s love of animals brought them back to their farming roots after serving 23 years in ministry.

from a breeder in Ohio. They currently run 20 cows but are working toward transitioning the old dairy facilities to ac commodate a larger herd. Utilizing rotational grazing, they eventually hope to grow their breeding herd to 50 cows and be able to feed and finish their own grass-fed beef. How ever, they are not losing sight of their main goal, which is being a source for great American Aberdeen genetics in the Northeast. “We’re hoping to have some really great bloodlines in stock to help others get started with their own amazing Ab erdeen herds,” he says. “Most places in the Northeast have very limited animals compared to further west. ... We hope to have great herd sires available to them [closer to home].” With such heavy involvement in agricultural promotion and education, it only seems fitting the Barbours enjoy using their docile cattle for educational purposes as well.

Whether it’s taking the cattle to church events or the local fair, they love to share the American Aberdeen story alongside their four grandchildren. “We had an absolutely wonderful time at the fair,” Barbour says. “Being able to talk to people, including farmers who have never seen this breed before, people who have never seen cows before and just getting to share the story of the American Aberdeen breed. [Specifically] all the pluses: the grass fed conversion efficiency, [easy] calving, friendliness and ribeye area per hundred weight.” One thing that attracted the Barbours to the American Aberdeen breed from the very beginning was the size and docility of the cattle, not only for efficiency purposes, but for the ability to confidently share their love of cattle with their grandchildren. “I’ve never had any problem at all putting my grandkids out in the pasture with them,” he says. “Our grandson just showed a 4-H steer that was half Aberdeen... They love

The Barbours spent more than three years visiting producers and researching genetics before building their cow herd.

Continued 

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LOGIST ICS  NE I L EFFERTZ Target Marketing

the animals and we love having animals that they can be around, and that’s what these are.” Barbour recalls one of his favorite parts of the fair experi ence this year was watching his young grandkids interact with fair goers, answering questions and teaching them about the cattle. “I just love to help educate people – help them under stand what farmers and ranchers do and what it takes to put food on somebody’s plate,” he says. Barbour continues to proudly promote and support the American Aberdeen breed, serving as the current vice president of the Northeast Aberdeen Association as well as being the Northeast representative on both the American Aberdeen Association Strategic Planning Committee and the Bylaws/Rules/Resolution Committee. “We just want to help where we can and do what we can, and that’s why we’re involved with the Northeast Aberdeen Association. I’m excited with where we’re headed and to have family coming along with us.” TL H unting season is here! What does that have to do with the American Aberdeen breeding business? To be a good hunter, you must be equipped and you must be able to hit what you are aiming at. You must also know exactly WHAT you are aiming at. It’s simple logic, but let’s apply that to the American Aberdeen breeding business. Before you know what kind of American Aberdeen cattle you want to raise, you should answer these questions: 1. What is my target market? 2. Who am I producing the animals/beef for? 3. How will I make them aware of my animals or beef that I have for sale? 4. What can I do to boost my operation’s image to entice more customers to inquire about the ani mals or beef that I have for sale? 5. How can I make breeding decisions for my herd that will best suit the needs of my target market? With that mindset you should be able to narrow down some marketing decisions that will help you begin to hit what you are aiming for. I have noticed many new and existing Aberdeen breeders struggle with marketing, and they never focus on their potential customers until they realize that they have more animals on hand than what their farm or ranch can hold and become desperate to get rid of some. That is not marketing! As Steven Covey says in his book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People , “Begin with the end in mind.” Before you get to the stage of “getting rid of some,” determine what is it that you want to sell – breeding stock, show calves, commercial bulls, replacement heifers, butcher steers, halves of beef, retail beef cuts or combina tions thereof. If you truly begin with the end in mind, you will under stand that the breeding decisions you make now won’t

have marketing consequences for two years, when the calves produced by those decisions are weaned. However, the right service sire (AI or natural) can dramatically affect the marketability of the seedstock you are selling in the next few months. And the reverse is also true, the wrong service sire will also dramatically affect marketability. Plan ahead! Next, determine your target market for that production. It is important to consider that it is especially difficult for smaller operations to be all things to all people. You are always going to be more effective if you are focused on producing for a specific market. Your cattle should reflect that focus. That enables you to have an identity for your herd that can help set your cattle/beef apart from any potential competition. Once you focus on your potential customers, their needs and what you can sell them to help them accom plish their goals, you can narrow down your marketing approach to get that message delivered precisely to them. In other words, just like the successful hunter, you can hit your target. Remember, it is hard to hit your target if you don’t first know what you are shooting at! Demographics, the study of populations (potential mar kets), can help you identify and find your target market. If you are selling breeding stock to small farms (fewer than 50 cows) the U.S. Department of Agriculture has a nice analysis of small-scale beef operations that is worth check ing out, https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/ nahms/smallscale/downloads/Small_scale_beef.pdf . As you make your selections for next year’s breeding program, stop and think, make a list and develop a focus for your herd’s genetics. Breed for your market. Begin with the end in mind. I am hopeful that this information will help a lot of American Aberdeen breeders market their stock instead of just getting rid of them. TL

Olivia Martin (17) volunteers her time at the local fair with the Barbours to help educate people about the Ameri can Aberdeen breed. James Barbour (14) exhibits his half American Aberdeen steer at the local fair. The Barbours appreciate the docility of the breed, especially around their grandkids.

FALL 2019 | 13

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14 | THE LEDGER

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FALL 2019 | 15

AMERICAN ABERDEEN  MARKETPLACE

JUNIOR CORRAL  JAYSIE SCHOENFIELD, AJAA PRESIDENT H ello! I hope everyone had a great summer and is looking forward to the fall and winter shows and sales. I would first like to start by intro ducing myself. I am Jaysie Schoenfeld and I currently serve as the 2019-2020 American Junior Aberdeen Association (AJAA) president. I am excited to see what the next year will bring for the AJAA! This summer we had a fantastic junior show in Law rence, Kan. It was great to see so many new faces from all

PERCENTAGE ABERDEEN HEIFERS & BULLS

Y4 Ranch Missy Ousley, & Cowan Perkins Owners AD INDEX ‘Cross Creek Farms............................ 21 2J Livestock....................................... 14 7C Aberdeen Cattle Co........................ 14 Aberdeen Sires................................... 14 Auction Effertz...................................... 9 B&B Lowlines..................................... 14 Baldridge Livestock............................. 14 Black Shadow Aberdeen Farms............ 14 Buena Vida Farms LLC......................... 24 D&J Farm........................................... 25 Deep Creek Aberdeens....................... 14 Deep Creek Seedstock........................ 14 Effertz EZ Ranch................................... 5 nounce that the 2020 Junior National Show and Competitions will be held in Woodward, Okla., June 22-27. I wish everyone the best of luck at the upcom ing shows and hope to see everyone soon. TL over the United States! We had a total of 17 states represented. I would like to thank all of the sponsors and vol unteers who made this event happen. Also, a huge thank you to the parents and exhibitors who came and partici pated. Events like this would not be possible without your help and support. Congratulations to all of the exhibitors on a great week. I am also happy to announce the rest of the 2019-2020 AJAA Board of Directors: Taylor Kruger, Jordan Gilles, Madalyn Gabel, Hannah Hoffman, Skye Korroch and Carson Schneiders. As we start gearing up for Denver and planning for the 2020 AJAA Junior National Show, I would like to an

P.O. Box 343 • Sutton, NE 68979 JEFF & TERI SCHELKOPF 402-469-7294 triplescattleco@outlook.com

Tunk Mountain Ranch ABERDEEN CATTLE

Darren & Katherine Wise 1765 Tunk Creek Rd. • Riverside,WA 98849 509/846-3075 (D) • 509/846-3013 (K)

tunkmountainranch@live.com TunkMountainRanch.com

Uphill Creek Farms Aaron Woller Pound, WI (920) 737-6500 We are proud of the great Aberdeen herd we have been carefully building over the past few years. They are now ready to be a part of yours!

Grass Master Cattle............................. 14 Heaven Sent Ranch. ............................. 3 Heavenly Acres Ranch LLC................... 14 Hickamore Hill American Aberdeen. 11, 14 High Voltage Farms............................. 15 Homestead Farm................................ 21 Husung Farm...................................... 15 Idaho Livestock................................... 27 Lazy G Lowlines. ................................. 15 Mini Cows West. ................................. 15 Moonlight Aberdeen............................ 17 Neenah Creek Livestock...................... 15 Neill Show Cattle................................. 26 Nelson Cattle Co................................. 15 New England Lowlines......................... 15 Pine Hurst Farm.................................. 25 Rowell Cattle Company. ...................... 28 S Four Farms...................................... 23 Sandford Ranches................................. 2 Shetler Cattle Company LLC.................. 7 Sigel Sunset Ranch............................. 15 Star View Farm Ltd.............................. 15 Topline Aberdeen Cattle Co.................. 15 Triple L Farms..................................... 15 Triple S Cattle..................................... 16 Tunk Mountain Ranch.......................... 16 Uphill Creek Farms.............................. 16 Vanden Heuvel Farm........................... 23 W Diamond Livestock.......................... 16 Y4 Ranch........................................... 16

Cattle For Sale Private Treaty.

awoller@wollerpm.com

27810 Hwy. 20 West Hines, Oregon 97738 (541) 589-4852 (541) 589-1475 y4ranch@yahoo.com

y4ranchlowlines.com

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2019 AJAA Junior Natio AJAA Parade of Champions

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al Show and Competitions The 10th Annual American Junior Aberdeen Association (AJAA) Junior National Show and Competitions, “Kickin It in Kansas!” was held June 25-29, 2019, in Lawrence, Kan.

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2019 AJAA Junior National Show

Contest Winners Ultrasound Contest Fullblood Female Hayden Mugnier, Wilsall, Mont. Percentage Female Lillian Sullivan, Excelsior Springs, Mo. Fullblood Steer Brock Spear, Roswell, N.M. Percentage Steer Madalyn Gabel, Lafayette, Colo. Team Fitting Contest Public Speaking Intermediate Champion: Caleb Weyh, Summit, S.D. Reserve Champion : Jera Schoenfeld, Oakley, Kan. Public Speaking Senior Champion: Jaci Brown, Stratford, Texas Reserve Champion : Logan Ohlde, Easton, Kan.

2019-2020 AJAA Board of Directors

Team Marketing Intermediate Champion Team: Kodie Fleming, Hardesty, Okla.; Jera Schoenfeld, Oakley, Kan.; and Brayden Robinson, Garden City, Kan. Team Marketing Senior Champion Team: Mariah Gann, Callao, Mo.; and Logan Ohlde, Easton, Kan. Overall High Point Individual Junior: Taylor Trutna, Wahoo, Neb. Intermediate: Kodie Fleming, Hardesty, Okla. Senior: Logan Ohlde, Easton, Kan. 2019-2020 AJAA Royalty Queen: Hannah Hoffman, Whitewater, Wis. Princess: Amelia Bender, Lexington, Ohio Front Row: Jaysie Schoenfeld, Oakley, Kan.; Skye Korroch, Bedford, Mass.; Hannah Hoffman, Whitewater, Wis.; Jordan Gilles, Cadott, Wis.; Back Row: Darwin Engelkes (Advisor); Madalyn Gabel, Lafayette, Colo.; Taylor Kruger, Wellsburg, Iowa; Carson Schnieders, Dehli, Iowa; Shane Goss (Advisor).

Quiz Bowl Juniors Champion Team: Kaleb

Champion Team: Jaysie Schoenfeld, Oakley, Kan.; Jera Schoenfeld, Oakley, Kan.; Kaleb Fleming, Hardesty, Okla.; and Kodie Fleming, Hardesty, Okla. Reserve Champion Team: Justin Armstrong, Hagerman, N.M.; Jacob Spear, Roswell, N.M.; Caleb Spear, Roswell, N.M.; Brock Spear, Roswell, N.M.; and Bristol Card, Billerica, Mass. Showmanship Junior Champion: Taylor Trutna, Wahoo, Neb. Reserve Champion: Elly Stuber, Grundy Center, Iowa Showmanship Intermediate Champion: Keala Archer, Priest River, Idaho Reserve Champion: Austin Petow, Vernon, Conn. Showmanship Senior Champion: Jaci Brown, Stratford, Texas Reserve Champion : Jaysie Schoenfeld, Oakley, Kan. Showdown Showmanship Champion: Logan Ohlde, Easton, Kan. Reserve Champion: Jaysie Schoenfeld, Oakley, Kan. Graphic Design Junior Champion: Taylor Trutna, Wahoo, Neb. Reserve Champion : Mathias Bender, Lexington, Ohio

Fleming, Hardesty, Okla.; Aniston Jasnoch, Sutton, Neb.; Mathias Bender, Lexington, Ohio; and Taylor Trutna Wahoo, Neb. Reserve Champion Team: Hayden Mugnier, Wilsall, Mont.; Cullen Wilking, Isanti, Minn.; Elly Stuber, Grundy Center, Iowa; and Alyssa Stuber, Grundy Center, Iowa Quiz Bowl Intermediate Lydia Stuber, Grundy Center, Iowa; Reese Wilking, Isanti, Minn.; and Austin Petow, Vernon, Conn. Reserve Champion Team: Dawson Schroder, Yukon, Okla.; Owen Schelkopf, Sutton, Neb.; and Kodie Fleming, Hardesty, Okla. Quiz Bowl Senior Champion Team: Ameilia Schnieders, Delhi, Iowa; Mont.; Jordan Gilles, Cadott, Wis.; Skye Korroch, Bedford, Mass.; and Mariah Gann, Callao, Mo. Reserve Champion Team: Rylan Gann, Callao, Mo.; Clay Wilking, Isanti, Minn.; Jaysie Schoenfeld, Oakley, Kan.; Jaci Brown, Stratford, Texas; and Logan Ohlde, Easton, Kan. Champion Team: Taylor Kruger, Wellsburg, Iowa; Reann Shockey, Wilsall,

Team Marketing Junior Champion Team: Elly Stuber, Grundy Center, Iowa; Kaleb Fleming, Hardesty, Okla.; Cullen Wilking, Isanti, Minn.; and Bristol Card, Billerica, Mass.

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B ulls with B utts! Ausmerica Apex Bringing Aberdeen Genetics to the Peak!

Semen available at $25/straw

CATTLE FOR SALE Purebred & Moderator Cows w/Fall ’19 Calves at Side Yearling Heifers Dams by Apex, Kryptonite, Encore & Doc Holliday Yearling Bulls Sired by Apex Ask for our price list.

Kryptonite

Kryptonite semen $20/straw

'CROSS CREEK FARMS Ron & Cindy Jackson Bluett 909 Travelstead Rd. · Adolphus, KY 42120

www.crosscreekcattle.com Cell: 270-606-0965 Email: crosscreekcattle@gmail.com

Cross Creek_4c,1-2 horiz_TLFall19.indd 1

9/16/2019 9:43:21 AM

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Innovating Agriculture

BY HANNAH GILL, FREELANCE WRITER I nnovation – defined as a new method, idea or product – was the resounding theme of Tom Field’s presentation during the Young Producers Symposium hosted with the 2019 Beef Improvement Federa tion research symposium on June 18. Without innovation, Field, director of the Engler Agribusiness Entrepre neurship Program at University of Nebraska’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said it will be dif ficult for the agriculture and livestock industries to grow and further develop in the future. It will all come down to thinking outside of the box. “I used to believe that the power was in the answer, but it is not,” Field said. “The power is in the question. Ev ery spreadsheet that was built, I guar antee you, was built by the creation of a good question. I don’t think it was, ‘Oh, we have an answer.’ It was, ‘What do we need to know, and what are the questions we need to ask to make this business work?’” Because of the world that today’s livestock producers live in where change is inevitable and constant, Field said that asking questions will only become more important. Al though many people in the industry tend to be resistant to change, the world is interested in agriculture. For example, Field listed 100 tech com panies that are devoted to agriculture, investing serious capital and intellec

Where does innovation come from? Field said it comes first from a pain point. “People will not innovate when they are comfortable,” he said. Selective breeding came from people who were unhappy with their cattle and wanted a different result. “There was a selective decision made, and that was innovation,” he explained. “Pain points are real, and they drive every major innovation in the marketplace.” The second place innovation comes from is unhappy customers or people who have experienced something unpleasant. “If we were really good at our job, we might not be facing cellular [fake meat] products,” Field said. “They are a competitor and they are here because we didn’t meet everybody’s expectations. Not all customers love what we do, so we are going to have figure out how to innovate and out-compete these new competitors because they are here.” Knowing the problem and know ing there are unhappy customers doesn’t just solve the problem though. Somebody has to bring creativity to the table, and that is where innovation comes from. “That is, in essence, the American way,” Field said. Many places, according to Field, especially in agriculture and on the farm or ranch. “How many of you kids remember encountering a barbed-wire gate you were instructed to get open before the cattle got there, and you could not get that gate open? We’ve all encoun tered one of those situations, and we innovate like crazy to figure out how to solve it. A piggin’ string, old chain, stretcher, all kinds of devices [can be] used to solve a pain point,” he said. “That’s innovation. Innovation is not that hard.” Although innovation is not hard, solutions that actually make it into the marketplace can be more difficult and Where can we put innovation to work?

tual capacities in changing the way agriculturists do business. “One of the greatest opportunities in our history is, for the first time in a very long time, an entire generation of bright, smart, disruptive people care about what we’re doing,” Field said. “They want into agriculture and they may want to do it differently than we’ve done it, but we get a chance to access a brand new generation of tal ent if we’ll choose it. Or, we can reject them and say, ‘Oh, that’s too much change.’” When it comes to encouraging change, it is important to encourage innovation without putting others in a box. For example, fleas can jump about 8 inches, nearly 180 times their length. When fleas are placed in a 4-inch box for three days, they won’t be able to leave the box once it’s opened because they will have been trained to jump no higher than 4 inches. “Think about the conversations you’ve had with your employees or kids,” Field said. “Have we put them in a box and trained them to only use half of their natural capacity? I’ve put other people, myself, employees, my brothers and our business in a jar at times. This is a big deal. The ques tion is, what is limiting your capacity to think outside what you currently know?”

Continued on page 24 

Photo by High Voltage Farms, Cassville, Wis.

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Proud Member! Vanden Heuvel Farm EXCITING THINGS ARE HAPPENING AT OUR FARM!

We Welcome:

DCS Foster 6F

Vanden Heuvel Farm Scott Vanden Heuvel N7322 Vanden Heuvel Road | Seymour, WI 54165 (920) 378-6667 | mossyoakslim@outlook.com results! Thank you to the Effertz for a great offering! We recently partnered with Deep Creek Seedstock on DSC Foster, a promising young bull. He is by a Branded Red and out of an outstanding Red Angus cow. This Aberdeen Plus bull will be turned out with the girls in August! Our ENTIRE spring calf crop is alive and healthy – and not a single heifer needed assistance. Our Little Jay heifers are great mothers! We purchased Jackaroo and 38J and 66U embryos at the Effertz EZ Ranch Sale and they have already been implanted. We are looking forward to the

AM38653

VITULUS Y-R (AULM5584) Sire: VITULUS BRANDED RED (FM5429) CAMDON RUBY (FF4181)

DCS FOSTER 6F (AM38653)

LSF BREAKOUT 4081P (36607)

Dam: VGW BO-ANK 0854 (36609)

VGW M517-ANK 0631 (36608)

RED & BLACK ABERDEENS | FULLBLOODS & PERCENTAGE

FALL SPECIAL ON AS JASE SEMEN! $25 PER STRAW, 10 STRAW MINIMUM With each 10 straw purchase, receive 1 fullblood certificate or 2 percentage certificates . Weaned bull calves out of AS JASE now available!! Let S Four Farms help enhance your herd with some of the best Red Genetics in the Western States! If you’re looking for variety or just starting out, call us, we love to talk cattle!

AS JASE REG. #26139 This 5-year-old bull is correct, deep, thick and long, making him one of the most attractive red fullblood bulls available. Bluey is not in his pedigree.

Allen Sieverkropp • 22288 Sagebrush Flats Road • Ephrata, WA 98823 • 509-750-4203 sieverkropp@gmail.com • sfourfarms.com

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How can we become more innovative? The first step is to get past whatever barrier is holding you back. It’s like being on the sideline during a game, and as soon as you step foot on the field everything changes. “We’ve all got this notion that, ‘I’m not creative,’” Field said. “Yeah you are. Some of us are more creative than others in certain ways, but ev erybody has a level of creativity. The key is to get past that artificial barrier and get on the field, which means you just have to start. It’s a full participa tion event and you have to be willing to try.” What gets in the way of innovation? The reality is, innovation is messy and human nature steers away from messy. If you are a leader, you have to be willing to let your team try messy things. If you are a perfectionist, you have to be willing to look at the whole picture and speed up your process rather than focus on small details. “All the magic happens outside of your comfort zone,” Field said.

Innovating Agriculture Continued from page 22

Field requires all of his students to do one thing that is most often out of their comfort zones – talk to 50 peo ple in their target market. If students can master pushing past their comfort zones, they will win. But if they get caught in that box with those fleas, they’re going to be in trouble. “How do you do it?” he asked. “Thirty seconds of courage. I think about how I just need 30 seconds of being brave – not even a full minute – over and over again.” With practice, you will learn how to push out of your comfort zone and eventually, become a more innovative person. “It will not be a straight line. Innova tion is never a straight line, it’s twists and turns and mistakes and going back and starting over and retraining,” he said. “Innovation is really noth ing more than this: the ability to take a look and see what everybody else is seeing and see something differ ent. Where everybody else sees the problem, see the opportunity. Where everybody else sees the throwaway resource, see the value. It’s true in people, it’s true in land, it’s true in in novation.” TL

are the products of design. That can be a harder concept to grasp. “If all your friends are cowboys and cowgirls, you have a problem,” Field said. “If you want to really learn inno vation, you are going to have to hang out with people who don’t think, talk, behave or look like you.” About 20 years ago, Field’s father began inviting people who had been critical of agriculture to their family’s branding. Now, their brandings have the craziest group of people – from nurses and doctors to hippies and the county attorney. “Everybody has learned some skill at that branding, but most important, we’ve learned to listen to what they’re observing and having to say about the land, the product and how we do things,” Field said. “That’s pretty valu able. You need the most bizarre set of friends as you’re going to find, and you need as many bizarre friends as you can get because they will bring some thing to you, which is a way to see the problem differently.”

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D&JFarm

SETTING THE STANDARD IN AMERICAN ABERDEEN GENETICS

HawkeyeAmericanAberdeen Extravaganza Sale!

NOVEMBER 11-12, 2019 Online bidding begins at 7:00 p.m. November 11 and closes at 8:00 p.m. November 12.

Selling 5 fullblood heifers on this online sale. Most are sired by MCR All Jacked Up. These heifers have the potential to be champions and all are embryo calves from our top fullblood cows. PREVIEW CATTLE NOVEMBER 9-10 See all the cattle on display at T-Bone Cattle Co., Osceola, Iowa. Scott Prunty (641) 344-6683

DBJ Olivia

Fullblood Champion 2019 Iowa State Fair Sired by MCR All Jacked Up

www.showstockplanet.com

Hawkeye

For more information contact

D&J Farm Dwane Riedemann Sutherland, Iowa 51058 (712) 446-3441 (712) 260-1891 (cell) driedemann@hotmail.com

Extravaganza ONLINE PRODUCTION SALE NOVEMBER 11-12 AMERICAN ABERDEEN

c h a m p i o n g e n e t i c s HAWKEYE AMERICAN ABERDEEN EXTRAVAGANZA SALE!

Mel and I are very excited about our offerings in this online sale. Pine Hurst Farm will be offering 4 Moderator heifer calves and three outstanding prospect steer calves, along with a surprise heifer calf consignment from our partners at S & G Cattle Co. Pine Hurst Genetics have been excelling not only in the show ring, but also in the feedlot. We are extremely confident our consignments will fit the most discriminating buyers.

November 11-12, 2019

Pictures and videos will be available soon on www.showstockplanet.com

All prospects will be directly related to the genetics that have been the base of our herd!

S & G CATTLE CO. Chad Shaw & Mike Gobeli 960 Pebblestone St. • Garner, IA 50438 (641) 485-6178 PINE HURST SAMANTHA Reserve Champion Moderator Female 2019 Iowa State Fair Junior Show

PINE HURST FARM Darwin and Mel Engelkes 16927 H Ave. • Wellsburg, IA 50680 (319) 415-0540 PINE HURST JASMINE Champion Moderator Female 2019 Iowa State Fair Junior Show

PINE HURST NELLIE Champion Born & Bred 2019 Iowa State Fair Junior Show

PINE HURST FARM SOUTH Chad Engelkes & Chris Spears 21412 90th Ave. • New Virginia, IA 50210 (515) 205-7978

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