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Approaching Critical Mass LOGIST ICS  NE I L EFFERTZ

AMERICAN ABERDEEN  MARKETPLACE Y4 Ranch Missy Ousley, & Cowan Perkins Owners Aberdeen......................... 7, 14 High Voltage Farms............... 14 Husung Farm........................ 15 Lazy G Lowlines. ................... 15 Mini Cows West. ................... 15 Neenah Creek Livestock........ 15 New England Lowlines. .......... 15 S Four Farms........................ 17 Sandford Ranches................. 19 Sigel Sunset Ranch............... 15 Topline Aberdeen Cattle Co.... 15 Triple S Cattle....................... 15 Tummons Cattle..................... 9 Tunk Mountain Ranch............ 15 Uphill Creek Farms................ 15 W Diamond Livestock............ 15 Y4 Ranch............................. 16 ‘Cross Creek Farms............... 13 2J Livestock......................... 14 Aberdeen Sires..................... 14 B&B American Aberdeen....... 14 Baldridge Livestock............... 14 Black Shadow Aberdeen Farms.................................. 14 Buena Vida Farms LLC........... 12 D&J Farm............................. 12 Deep Creek Aberdeens. ........ 14 Deep Creek Seedstock...... 5, 14 Effertz EZ Ranch. .................. 20 Grass Master Cattle............... 14 Gunnderosa Aberdeens........... 2 Heaven Sent Ranch. ............... 3 Heavenly Acres Ranch LLC..... 14 Hickamore Hill American

C ritical mass is defined as “The minimum size or amount of something required to start or to maintain a venture.” In terms of American Aberdeen Premium Beef, the key question is, what is that number? To assemble 200 to 500 head of Verified American Aberdeen Premium Beef feeder cattle at one time in one location is a challenging undertaking. My mom used to say, “You have to learn to walk before you learn to run.” So maybe we start with a pot load of steers weighing 600 to 800 pounds delivered to a feedlot in southwest Nebraska or nearby. Those steers are currently worth about $1.40 per pound. If the producers are willing to retain ownership through the feeding process to earn a 10¢ per pound premium (live finished weight), there is a producers’ cooperative established to pay the producer $500 per 600 to 800 pound feeder calf upon delivery to the feedlot. The producer can still retain ownership through the feeding period to finish and share in the 10¢ per pound premium on the finished live weight – approximately $120 per head. Feed costs will be financed through the feedlot and deducted from the fin ished steer price based on the commodity market, and premiums will be paid by the producers’ cooperative based on the beef sales to the retailer. If the coop erative is profitable, dividends will be shared with the members relative to their level of participation. If we can get our American Aberdeen breeders to solicit their bull customers to enroll their calves sired by REGISTERED, DNA-VERIFIED American Aberdeen bulls, we can develop a supply chain with “critical mass.” Remember all regis tered American Aberdeen Fullblood, Moderator ® , Moderator Plus ® and Aberdeen Plus ® sired cattle qualify if they are source and age verified. If the verified calves are available and transportation to the feeding/finishing facilities is coordinated, the market is ready for the project launch. Those interested in learning more should read the IMI Global document at http://www.imiglobal.com/uploads/3/4/7/9/34792806/cow-calf_ranch_ manual_6.21.2016website.pdf . I would encourage American Aberdeen breeders interested in selling regis tered American Aberdeen Fullblood and Moderator bulls to the commercial beef producers in their area to collectively become active in promoting the calving ease and efficiencies of American Aberdeen genetics and to use the materials (brochures and videos) that have already been produced by Ag Town for the American Aberdeen Association ® . The promotional materials are on our website: For brochures: https:// americanaberdeen.com/marketing materials/. For videos: https://americanaberdeen. com/aberdeen-info/video-resources/ .

The commercial application of American Aberdeen genetics is the foundation that cre ates value for all American Aberdeen seed stock and seedstock producers. This is why all of our breeders should push to expose commercial cattlemen in their area to these programs for the benefit of their individual bottom line and that of our association. Long story short, when we sell more registered bulls to commercial customers, we register more fullblood and percentage American Aberdeen cattle, and all American Aberdeen breeders benefit. TL

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

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