The-Ledger_Summer2018

a veterinarian is a good idea during this time, as well. Have the vet come out or take the heifers in for vaccinations as well as an exam to check for ovulation/maturity. My second recommendation is bred cows. A cow that has raised a calf and has re-bred will likely be successful in subsequent breedings and calvings. Her milking volume will usually increase so future calves may be better than the first. Bred cows have usually been cube trained, and if so, may pen easier than heifers. However, bred cows sometimes come with baggage. There are potential prob lems if bred cows have issues with disposition and are too protective of their calves. A good breeder will tell you why he/she is selling the cow – ask them if they don’t offer. A good friend told me that it should hurt when you sell a cow. Those are the best to buy. Experience will teach you whether you want to pay that price. I’m out of room for this discussion. I will talk about buying bred heifers in The Ledger fall issue. The Southern Aberdeen Breeders Association (SABA) will have several shows this fall. More details to come. My thanks to ev eryone who participated in the Houston International Livestock Show, either as an exhibitor or a helper. The American Aberdeen Association (AAA) International Room exhibit drew a lot of people. An especially big thank you to Edgar and Terrie Hinojosa, SABA members from New Ulm, Texas, for spending an entire week managing the AAA booth and acting as interpreters for the many visitors from south of the border. Western Aberdeen Breeders Association BY DAVID SHOCKEY, VICE PRESIDENT “Wait and see” is a statement made by doctors, lawyers and cattlemen. It’s usually when you are not sure which

direction to go or nervous about what is going to happen. Many times your conditions gets worse, you miss out on an opportunity or someone beats you to an opportunity. The Western Aberdeen Breeders Association (WABA) is more of a “seize the opportunity” group. We have ultrasound data, bull test data, steer feed out data and, yes, even expected progeny differences on Aberdeens. Sometimes you hit a wall, but most of the time we develop new markets and prove the Aberdeen breed’s worth in the open market. The cattle market is on the down side of the cycle. Try to catch your breath and see how to use this information for your benefit. The cattle market has had a 10-year cycle since 1950. Buy low, sell high. You have heard this your whole life. You couldn’t buy low if there wasn’t a down side of the cycle. Cattlemen see high prices and they want to buy in, prices go down and they want to get out. This is the worst thing to do. The market will be a buyer’s market for the next two to three years. If you buy now and keep them for five years, there is a great potential for a large profit. You can wait and see if this will happen, or you can invest and seize the opportunity. WABA is a great group of people who work together, invest in our future and take risks in order to make great advancements. WABA is leading the way in data collec tion and collectively marketing Aberdeen cattle to the commercial market. We welcome anyone who wants to work together for the greater good. Go to our website, www.westernaberdeenbreedersassociation.com , for more information about what is going on in the West. TL

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Grass Master Summer 2018

HEIFER BULLS AMERICAN ABERDEEN GENETICS

Semen Available • From more than 20 of the nation’s top sires • On hand, at 605 Sires located in Marian, S.D., or through Bovine Elite • Produce sale-topping feeders with premium carcass traits GMC Aberdeen Moderator cows are the commercial cowman’s kind • Easy fleshing – consume 25-30% less than the average cow • Wean 50-60% of their body weight Perfect for Heifers • 55- to 65- lb. BW

GMC Beau Jangles

GMC Rifleman B9900

BW: 57 lbs ▪ Scan Data at 20 months: 1,400 lbs Hip Height: 49.5 ▪ Frame Score: 3.5 REA: 21.35 ▪ REA/CWT: 1.52 ▪ Tenderness: 2.4 %IMF: 5.03 ▪ Shape: .58 Co-owned with W Diamond Lowlines, Roswell, N.M.

BW: 56 lbs ▪ Ultrasound at 7.5 months of age REA: 13.76 ▪ REA/CWT: 2.13 Updated ultrasound data available. Co-owned with Triple S Cattle, Sutton, Neb.

R ick L Loyd Chamberlain, SD 605-730-6152 grassmastercattle@gmail.com

Red and Black Bulls Available Private Treaty!

SUMMER 2018 | 9