The Source
Breaking AngusSource® enrollment fears.
Spring has arrived! With the sunny days and warmer temperatures, I bet many youngsters are making plans to start breaking calves for the county fair. Some may be eager to get started, while others might have trouble knowing exactly where to begin.
Enrolling in AngusSource for the first time isn't much different than going out to break that first calf. You may realize the value of age- and source-verification programs, but you just don't know where to begin.
Just like a parent, 4-H leader or FFA advisor who assists with the calf project, the AngusSource staff is ready to answer questions and guide you through the enrollment process. AngusSource has been around nearly seven years; its non-breed-specific counterpart, Gateway, has been around for three years. Give the AngusSource staff a call at 816-383-5100 or visit www.angussource.com to download the enrollment form and additional information.
We enjoy visiting with producers and getting to know their operations. Oftentimes, they have great questions and every operation is different. It's helpful for us to discuss one-on-one how AngusSource or Gateway can be implemented in your operation.
Completing accurate records
The most important question we ask is, "How do you keep your calving records?" Our program adds value to calves because of the detailed history that is provided. Calving records are essential to participating in AngusSource or Gateway. It does not matter whether those records are on a phone or computer, in a calving book or a notebook, or even simply written down on the calendar.
Now, some producers tell us they write down the calving dates in the dust on their pickup. Unfortunately, those types of records just don't copy well. Our office needs to see a copy in order to enroll calves, and you need to keep those records for a minimum of three years once enrollment has been completed.
Whatever the chosen method, use it from the beginning to the end. Incomplete records are like having a calf that is half broke. It's a frustrating situation for the owner and the calf, because neither understands what is expected.
The American Angus Association offers a couple of easy and free tools for keeping calving records. Give us a call to request a free 2012 Beef Record Service (BRS)/AngusSource Black Book. Or the Angus Mobile smartphone app is available for iPhone and Android devices. No matter what method you choose, accurate records can make or break the enrollment.
Keeping up with calves
It is easy to confuse calf groups at enrollment time. Here are some tips to prevent confusion before you enroll calves.
On my personal operation, I get a new calving book and write down every pasture, and how many cows we put in that pasture each December when we turn bulls out. At the end of July or early August, we move the cows to their calving pastures. I pull out that new calving book and write down where each group moved and how many cows went to the calving pasture. If your pregnancy checks were taken, be sure to write down how many cows were open at that time, too.
As calving season comes in full swing, I simply record the calves as they are born. I also keep track of death loss and who had twins. When it's time to sell the calves, I write down how many were sold and how many replacement heifers were kept from that calf crop. That way, when it is time to enroll, all my records from the beginning to end of that calf crop are in one book.
That's my personal approach to keeping calving records. Some producers do theirs chronologically in one book and change at the beginning of each year. Then, they need to find the prior year's records to know when the bulls were turned in or how many replacement females were retained. Find a method that works best for you. If you're unsure, give our staff a call.
Since I always carry a smartphone with me, I'm really excited to try the new Angus Mobile app even though I'm the only technology geek in my family and I do not like the idea of keeping two sets of records. Wonder who would be easier to break, that first-year calf or my brother?
My bet's on the calf.
Editor's Note: Ginette Kurtz is manager of AngusSource for the American Angus Association.
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