Ginette Kurtz
The Source
Communication is necessary
in marketing.
Everyone has an opinion, and most times you don’t even have to ask for it!
Harvest is fast and furious in our part of the country. Combines are running early and going late. The rush is on! Many times communication can get left on the side of the road when working long hours.
“Why are you backing the truck up like that,” Dad asked. I replied, “Uh, because that is the way the unloading auger is set?” I personally like to back up to the longest part of the unloading auger, but it wasn’t the quickest way, in my dad’s opinion, to unload.
Working with your family can be challenging. Opinions differ about how to accomplish simple tasks like putting corn in the bin. Communication should be a top priority of all job functions — from major decisions to daily activities. Having ownership in the decisions gives everyone a vested reason to succeed.
Fall bull sales are heating up, too. It is time to pick your bull prospects and get ready for the next breeding season. Decide how much money you can spend on your potential herd sire. Look at the %Rank table in the latest Sire Summary or online to see where your last herd sire or current herd sires fall in the chart. Decide what trait or traits you want to improve within your herd. Call your American Angus Association regional manager and discuss your herd and your goals if you would like additional direction for sire selection tips.
Marketing your calf crop is challenging, too. Planning ahead may take the edge off the extreme price swings. High-quality, black-hided cattle that gain and grade well are in demand even when the prices are low, as well as high. Calves need to be 45 days weaned and have a vaccination program behind them to command top dollar. Some producers change their weaning or vaccination program when the prices are really good and just sell their calves right off the cow. Buyers recall cattle that don’t perform well. Consistency does pay.
The old cliché, begin with an end in mind, is more important each year. It doesn’t matter if you raise corn or cattle, the capital investment to produce a pound of beef or an acre of corn continues to increase yearly. Take a minute and think about those corn producers. Last year, corn at harvest was in the low $4 range and this year most are looking on the high side of $2 or right at $3. Input costs were still the same this spring as they were a year ago. The bottom line for those producers will sure be different this year.
Producers who have used high-quality Angus genetics and have the documentation to provide potential buyers know their calves can command more money at sale time. A high-quality calf does not cost more to feed than a lower-quality calf. Even so, how do buyers know you’re selling top-quality, black-hided calves that have been weaned and vaccinated?
The AngusSource® or AngusSource Genetic Marketing Document may be your answer.
If you enroll your calves in AngusSource or AngusSource Genetic, a Marketing Document is generated for each enrollment. It provides up-to-date average expected progeny differences (EPDs) and dollar value indexes ($Values) for the sires used to produce the enrollment group. Producers have the option to customize the document with additional information like sale location and date, vaccinations and other management practices that would add value to those calves.
GeneMax™ Focus is the newest addition to the Marketing Document.
Commercial producers can utilize DNA technology and choose to report their GeneMax Focus test results on their Marketing Document. Buyers want data and information to aid in their buying decisions. DNA technology is another tool to increase genetic quality and provide more decision-making data to potential buyers. It is a winning combination for the producer and potential buyer.
Both programs utilize tamper-evident ear tag identification to designate program enrollment. AngusSource is a USDA Process-verified Program that provides third-party verification for source, group age and, at minimum, 50% Angus-sired genetics. AngusSource Genetic verification is provided by the American Angus Association for genetics, source and group age. Enroll your calves today and request GeneMax Focus tests for one-third of your enrollment group to get started.
Buyers have opinions sometimes like my dad — difficult to figure out. Why did a buyer choose one set of calves over another? Give buyers as much data, documentation and information as you can. Communication can be a rough ride. The Marketing Document from AngusSource or AngusSource Genetic can help smooth out those bumps on your marketing journey.
Editor’s Note: Ginette Kurtz is the director of commercial programs for the American Angus Association.