Internship of a Lifetime

The following is a excerpt from GENEX Beef Intern, Anna Whitt's article which appeared in the September Horizons Beef Edition.

Never would I have imagined the opportunity to travel out west for a summer, much less participate and become more educated on what I truly care about: breeding cattle and all the factors that go with it. However, being the GENEX Beef Intern gave me that opportunity and more.

Coming from a smaller, 40-head black Angus herd in Spring Hill, Tennessee, I never realized how different things are out west! The fast pace, hard work, dedication and care for cattle that goes into artificial insemination (A.I.) breeding projects is more than I ever imagined. Additionally, knowing synchronization protocols and bull EPDs are major factors that create the desired genetics producers want in their herds.

Throughout the internship, I was often asked, “What’s your favorite place you’ve been so far?” I can honestly say I didn’t have a favorite. I saw mountains, valleys, hills and canyons. I was around all ages, sizes and breeds of cattle. One thing was certain, though: I met so many wonderful people along the way who share a love for cattle.

As the saying goes, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” This statement couldn’t be any more accurate for the GENEX teams I worked with during my internship. Everyone cared not only about their quality of work, but also the relationships with producers they built along the way.

This internship was the experience of a lifetime. I was able to further my knowledge, skills and hands-on experiences in something I am truly passionate about. After helping breed over 4,000 head, traveling over 6,000 miles and visiting eight states, I’d say GENEX has provided this ole homebody Tennessee girl with the perfect start to pursuing her dreams. And, I couldn’t be more thankful or blessed!

Watch for details of this spring's internship coming soon, and find your experience of a lifetime.

Tried and True Tips for Timed A.I.

Last week's Facebook post asking for tips in planning for your next timed artificial insemination (A.I.) project got beef producers sharing, so we are passing some of that fantastic knowledge on to you, our blog readers. Here is a recap and the seven categories the comments fell into. For the complete list of comments, check out our GENEX Beef Facebook page!

Timing 
"Timing is crucial! We make sure our shots are done exactly on time and likewise for insemination." - Emily Smith Castine

Planning
"Luck favors the prepared." - Kate Meyer

Weather
"As cool of weather as you can get. Early morning breeding, and let them relax." - Ryan Stoecklein

Fertility
"Research your bull choices and use those that you know have good conception or PregCheck™ ratings. It is the easiest way to boost conception." - Justine Ferguson

Animal Health
"Good body condition and good mineral program." - James Mullens

Communication
"A good team of people to work with! Communcations is key for everything to go smoothly." - Carrie Lynch

Set-up and Handling
"Handle cattle and semen carefully!" - Jeff Meyer

LIFEJACKET™ Calf Coats - Protect Your Future

The weather is getting cooler, harvest is in full swing and soon it will be time to pull out the calf coat tote. If you are like me, you had every intention of assessing your needs over the summer, but, poof, time just disappeared. So, there is no time like the present to talk to your GENEX representative about LIFEJACKET™ calf coats. These coats are the same great quality you have come to rely on from GENEX:

› Waterproof outer lining with a quilted inner lining

› Machine washable

› Made in the U.S.

And here is where the new and improved comes in. Our members and customers asked, and we listened:

› Buckle front closure and buckle leg straps for easy on and off (No more straw, sawdust or sand clogging up those Velcro straps!)

› Four sizes to fit all of your needs. Each color is a different size to make it easy for you to find the correct one: small-blue, medium-purple, large-teal and extra large-black.

Count on your GENEX representative to be the one-stop shop for all of your herd care needs.

Serving You First

Back in May, I had the opportunity to tag along on a GENEX Beef chute-side service project near the small town of Summersville, Missouri. The Kirkman brothers (kind gentlemen that they are) and the local GENEX representatives allowed me to document the day. Through the experience, I witnessed the producers’ passion for the beef industry and the GENEX reps’ sincere desire to assist cattle producers through personalized genetic and reproductive programs – all while surrounded by beautiful scenery. Check it out!

                                                                          ~ Jenny Hanson, GENEX Communications Manager

If you are interested in putting GENEX chute-side service to work on your ranch, contact GENEX at 888.333.1783 or info@genex.coop.

Lights! Camera! Action! The Tale of a GENEX Casting Call

The scene began at the 2017 National Angus Convention in Fort Worth, Texas. GENEX put out a casting call for a bull. Breeders could send in their boy's portfolio for a chance to win a lease contract (8 by 10 glossy head shots were not required 😉).  

Over 50 aspiring GENEX sires applied, from there our team narrowed the cast of characters to five.

The final decision was a difficult one, and after much deliberation by our beef team, a selection was made.

1AN01436 CROCKETT is an outstanding combination of  phenotype, pedigree and EPDs and is backed by an outstanding dam and grandam that have been productive members of the Brown herd in Tennessee for many years.

CROCKETT is now available from a GENEX representative near you!

Pendergrast Celebrates 50 Years of Providing Service

It all started with Midwest Breeders and the magic wand, and 50 years later Gary Pendergrast of Polo, Missouri, is still providing artificial insemination (A.I.) service.

Throughout this time, he’s seen many changes from ampules to straws and the innovation of sexed semen. A highlight of his career was working on the Lutalyse® trial many years ago; 115 heifers from a herd in his service area were used in this trial.

“I became an early proponent of synchronization due to my first-hand experience with that trial,” states Gary. “Synchronization was a gamechanger for the A.I. industry. I can breed so many more in one day than I even dreamed of 50 years ago.”

Over the years, he’s kept meticulous records of every breeding he’s ever done. In total, 71,000 cows and one buffalo make the list. “One buffalo?” you ask. Gary says he’s agreed to every A.I. project anyone has called him for, even when it was a buffalo.

Last May, Gary had open heart surgery and received strict doctor’s orders to not breed cows for 90 days. This marked the longest period in his life without breeding cows. Rest assured, he was back on day 90.

Gary is a self-proclaimed cattle engineer and thoroughly enjoys his work.


“By far, the best part of this industry is working with the people,” states Gary. “And as long as I’m able, I’ll continue to breed cows.”

And with a smile, he adds, “I think I should be good for another 20 years.”

Gary, thank you for your dedication to the A.I. industry.

The Answers to Your Most Asked Beef Synchronization Questions

While breeding season may be a bit away yet, it is the perfect time to evaluate your procedures and make decisions on protocols. Our Beef Marketing and Education Manager, Sarah Thorson, took a few minutes to answer some of the most frequently asking questions concerning synchronization protocols.

What is the best synchronization protocol for cows and heifers?
There isn’t an easy answer to this question. Yes, research suggests some protocols perform better than others, but just because research says it’s the best protocol, doesn’t necessarily make it the best protocol for your operation. I always advise people to ask themselves three questions before choosing a synchronization protocol:

› How many times am I willing to put the female through the chute?

› How much am I willing to spend on synchronization drugs?

› What are my expectations for results?
Once you know the answers to these questions you can objectively analyze which synchronization program is the best fit for your operation. No matter what the research or experts tell you, the best protocol for your operation is one that aligns with your goals and you are 100% confident you can perform perfectly from start to finish.

What criteria should I use to ensure females are good candidates for A.I.?
The answer depends if you are synchronizing heifers or cows.
Criteria for synchronizing heifers:
› Should have achieved at least 65% of mature body weight
› Minimum of 50% should have reproductive tract score of ≥ 4 at six weeks before breeding
If you don’t have a veterinarian in your area that offers reproductive tract scoring, don’t panic! You can achieve the same thing by visually observing your heifers for heat in the weeks and months leading up to breeding. You want to observe at least 50% are cycling six weeks prior to breeding.

Criteria for synchronizing cows:
› Body Condition Score of ≥ 5 at calving
› Cows to be synchronized should have a mean postpartum interval of ≥ 40 days at the beginning of the protocol
› Each cow should be a minimum of 21 days postpartum at the time of Eazi-Breed™ CIDR® insertion
› Low incidence of calving difficulty

Where is the best place to give synchronization injections? What needle size should I use?
Synchronization drugs should be given in the muscle (IM), with the exception of LUTALYSE® Hi-Con which can be administered IM or subcutaneously. When administering synchronization drugs, I recommend using a 1-½ inch, 18-gauge needle. And people don’t often ask, but I always mention you should wear gloves when handling any synchronization drugs to avoid contact with skin.

Can I reuse CIDR® inserts?
CIDR® inserts are labeled as a one-time use item by the manufacturer, and I recommend following this guideline.
I know CIDR® inserts are one of the most expensive parts of a synchronization protocol, retailing at $10 to $12. It is tempting to cut that cost in half by using a CIDR® for a second time. The next time you are tempted to do this, ask yourself what another A.I. calf is worth to you. My guess is that it’s a lot more than $5 to $6.

Can I give vaccines/dewormer while I’ve got the cow in the chute and am inserting the CIDR®?
A pre-breeding vaccination program is an important part of an overall successful A.I. program. However, several studies have shown injection of naïve heifers with a modified live vaccine (MLV) around the time of breeding resulted in ovarian lesions and decreased pregnancy rates. Therefore, I recommend that all pre-breeding vaccinations be given at least 30 days prior to breeding.

While there isn’t any research that suggests administering dewormer at breeding will have a negative impact on fertility, I recommend doing that at least 30 days prior to breeding as well. The less stress you put on females around breeding time, the better your success. To achieve optimal results, it’s best to do as little as possible to the females during the synchronization and breeding process.

How long should I wait to move the cows after insemination?
The most critical time periods for embryonic development occur between day five, when the embryo begins its migration from the oviduct to the uterus, and day 42, when the embryo has made definitive attachment to the uterus. Research indicates shipping cows during this critical time in embryo development can cause a 10% decrease in pregnancy rates. The best time to move cattle is prior to insemination or days one to four post breeding. If you can’t move them within this time period, it’s best to wait until after day 45. To learn more about shipping cows during this critical time period, click here.

Despite what research might say, no single synchronization protocol fits every operation. Know your operation, follow the suggestions above and trust your gut. And if you ever have any other questions, remember I’m only a phone call away!

Consistency Main Reward to GENEX Test Herd

The goal of the GENEX progeny test program is to determine the true breeding value of a young bull as quickly as possible.

GENEX works with some of the industry's best ranchers to prove young sires. These cattlemen, both registered and commercial producers, work together with GENEX to breed their cows and heifers to GENEX young sires and proven sires used for reference. Then, they provide fertility, performance and ultrasound/carcass data on the resulting calf crop.

This month, we would like to introduce you to four of our test herds through #TestHerdTuesday.

Today's feature is the Oneida Nation Farm in Seymour, Wisconsin, which has been a GENEX test herd for three years. They run a 240 head cow/calf operation, which consists of 360 acres of rotational pasture which is grazed from May 1 through December 1. Each year they retain 40 replacements and finish out the remaining 200. Finished cattle are sold on a quarter and half basis to the public, with several head per year going to the Oneida Nation School, Oneida Nation Elderly Home and Oneida Nation Retail Store.

Since becoming a GENEX test herd, Oneida Farms has seen more consistency in their calves. Calves typically range in birth weight from 65 to 80 pounds without calving difficulties which is especially important as several people who work at the farm have little experience with difficult calvings. In addition, the calf crop is very uniform at weaning. Herd Manager, TJ Swiecichowski sees a noticeable difference.

"Now that we are calving females sired by GENEX bulls and breeding heifers out of GENEX bulls, we really see the consistency within our cow herd," notes TJ. We see our cows being more efficient. They are smaller than a lot of our older cows, yet still wean some of the biggest calves. They are also much better on their feet and legs and will be around for a long time."

When asked what bulls have had the most impact on the herd, TJ listed 1AN01360 ELEMENT and 1AN01355 ALTITUDE.

Relationship Key to Test Herd Performance

The goal of the GENEX progeny test program is to determine the true breeding value of a young bull as quickly as possible.

GENEX works with some of the industry's best ranchers to prove young sires. These cattlemen, both registered and commercial producers, work together with GENEX to breed their cows and heifers to GENEX young sires and proven sires used for reference. Then, they provide fertility, performance and ultrasound/carcass data on the resulting calf crop.

This month, we would like to introduce you to four of our test herds through #TestHerdTuesday.

Today we are featuring Pleasant View Farm in Belmont, Wisconsin. Josh and Gretchen Kamps joined the test herd program in 2013, with the first calves being born in the spring of 2014. Some of that progeny has just weaned off their second calves. 

Pleasant View Farm is a predominantly Angus cow/calf to finish operation in the southwest corner of the state. Their cows calve in a loading area and then are moved to pasture. They have a spring herd and a fall herd, so their biggest calving months are March, April, September and October.

The Kamps say the benefits of being a GENEX test herd are that they have been able to develop some cow families they are excited to see the future of, both in the herd and in the feedlot. "We have also built a strong relationship with the GENEX team we work with. We put a lot of faith in their bull selection for our herd, and they have continually proven they are buying the right bulls." 

When asked what bulls have had the most impact on their herd, the Kamps listed the following:

1AN01302 WESTERN CUT - These heifers are weaning their second calves. They are functional, sound and productive cows that we've been very happy with.

1AN01302 WESTERN CUT daughters

1AN01300 INVESTMENT - A good carcass animal. They were efficient converters of feed and performed well on the rail.

1AN01379 iBULL - We didn't have good success with him on the heifers, but the the cows, the success was better. The iBULL calves sifted themselves to the top of the scale at weaning, we're excited to see how they perform in the feedlot.

1AN01379 iBULL calf

1AN01340 Upward - We used him as a reference sire early in the program. He made solid daughters for us, as well as feedlot cattle.

Generations of GENEX Testing

The goal of the GENEX progeny test program is to determine the true breeding value of a young bull as quickly as possible.

GENEX works with some of the industry's best ranchers to prove young sires. These cattlemen, both registered and commercial producers, work together with GENEX to breed their cows and heifers to GENEX young sires and proven sires used for reference. Then, they provide fertility, performance and ultrasound/carcass data on the resulting calf crop.

This month, we would like to introduce you to four of our test herds through #TestHerdTuesday.

Today's feature is Chris Larkin from Ottumwa, Iowa, who started as a test herd for GENEX in 1985. He runs a black Angus cow-calf operation, and finishes the steer calves. The heifer calves are fed until yearling, and for the last 25 years, they've sold as replacement heifers. Recently they started breeding all the heifers and selling a portion as bred heifers.

When asked what benefits he has seen in his herd as a result of being a GENEX test herd, Chris responded, "The use of GENEX bulls has greatly improved the quality of our cattle; performance, carcass and maternal traits. It has also enabled us to use many of the different bloodlines within the Angus breed." Chris noted that many bulls have made an impact on his herd after over 30 years in the program including: Bando 5175, 1AN01099 DENSITY, Net Worth, Traveler 004, Objective 3J15, Final Answer, 1AN01146 RIGHT ANSWER, Upward, New Day, Successor, 1AN01238 RESOURCE, 1AN01131 BISMARCK, and his current favorite 1AN01170 CHISUM.

My Top Tip for a Successful A.I. Breeding Project

While every farm and ranch is very different in what works for them, one thing I have found to be the same is that every farmer or rancher is always looking for ways to improve, whether that be in efficiency, genetics, animal care, nutrition, and the list goes on. We took a moment earlier this summer to ask beef producers what their top tip was when it came to successful A.I. breeding projects. Perhaps there is something here that can improve your next project. Do you have a tip that you don't see here? Drop it in the comments below. We are always looking for ways we can help out others too!

Beef Brings North and South America Together

Each year international guests visit the U.S. to get an up-close look at GENEX bulls and their progeny. GENEX, part of Cooperative Resources International (CRI), hosted over 70 visitors from Argentina and Brazil on two separate tours this summer. During their visit, they learned more about the GENEX Beef lineup, as well as the entire beef industry from conception to harvest.

The Brazil tour group began in Shawano, Wisconsin, at our corporate headquarters. Over 30 guests invited by CRI Brazil, a CRI-owned company, spent a morning learning about our commitment to herd improvement through superior genetics. In addition, they spent time learning about the collection and processing of each semen straw and had the opportunity to view several bulls in-person – a highlight of the tour!

The group viewing 1AN01310 BREAKING NEWS.

From Shawano, Wisconsin, they continued their tour traveling throughout Minnesota, South Dakota and ending in Bismarck, North Dakota.

The Brazil tour group stopped in Kimball, Minnesota, to visit Schiefelbein Farms.

They also made a stop at Penrhos Farms, a GENEX progeny test herd in Britton, South Dakota, and Topp Herefords, Grace City, North Dakota.

Simultaneously, we hosted over 40 Argentine visitors from Juan Debernardi SRL, a CRI distributor. This group weaved through Kansas, Iowa, the Dakotas and Montana. A highlight of the tour was a day spent at Kansas State University (KSU) learning about the latest studies conducted by Dr. Bob Weaber and the KSU Animal Science Department. Participants also viewed the newly constructed KSU Purebred Beef Unit Headquarters. After 12 days on the road, the tour concluded at the GENEX Production Center in Billings, Montana, where the Argentines observed several bulls and learned about the semen collection process.

Observing the new Purebred Beef Unit Headquarters at KSU

While in Kansas, the Argentine visitors stopped at the Tiffany Cattle Company feedlot in Herington, Kansas, and Mushrush Red Angus in Strong City, Kansas.

Enjoying some steak at the historic Hays House in Council Grove, Kansas, on the recommendation of GENEX Beef Sire Procurement Manager Cody Sankey.

These tours allow international customers the chance to connect with staff and learn more about GENEX genetics.

After the tour, participants will have racked up over 3,000 miles, enjoyed a lot of excellent U.S. beef and gained a better understanding of the GENEX philosophy.  

Surviving the Spring Bull Sale Season

By: Brad Johnson, Director Beef Genetics and Cody Sankey, Beef Sire Procurement Manager

With spring bull sale season in the rearview mirror, we wanted to share our lessons learned.

      Don’t be proud. Be warm. Mud boots and Stormy Kromer caps may look dumb but are awesome. It’s a challenge to get Muck® boots, gloves, hats, Carhartt® bibs and more into a carry-on bag, but it’s totally worth the effort. Brad’s fingers still tingle occasionally from his February visit to Alberta. Good thing the bulls were good!

1AR00971 RENAISSANCE

Do your bull sale homework ahead of time. Have a short list of bulls before you arrive at the ranch. It’s going to be cold/snowy/muddy/rainy/sleeting/hailing/all of the above, so sorting through every single bull’s data while in the bull pen isn’t a good idea.

Never underestimate the value of a good rental car.  Just because you can get a Ford Fusion for $7 a day and it gets 30 mpg doesn’t mean it will be a good deal. After you’re stuck driving in a snowstorm that upgrade cost for the Ford Explorer looks pretty cheap.

One cannot own enough phone chargers. If you leave one at a hotel it’s as good as gone and so is your battery level. You can never survive a bull sale day without a full phone battery. Try raiding the lost and found at the next hotel you get to, there’s a good chance one of us left one there last time we visited. You’re welcome.

Speaking of hotels, Holiday Inn Express is our “go-to” chain. However, NEVER be afraid to try out the local establishments. Hotels like the Great Northern in Malta, Montana, Bob’s Resort in Gettysburg, South Dakota or the Hyannis Hotel in Hyannis, Nebraska are certain to have a warm bed, good shower and outstanding restaurant with great food!

Never pass up a great bull. At GENEX, we believe you can never have too many great bulls and when we find one, you can count on us to add him to the GENEX lineup. We strive to have the most powerful lineup of bulls in the business and are extremely excited with our 2017 acquisitions. Check them out on the website and Facebook.

L to R: 1AN01416 STUNNER, 1AR00969 INTREPID 1SM00160 PAYDAY, 1AN01421 RELEVANT, 1CH00970 LUNCH MONEY

#RepsThatRock

GENEX has a great team of Independent Contractors across the country who serve our members and customers. Last fall we featured a group of our #RepsthatRock and decided to feature some others during #beefmonth. We’ve posted them throughout the month on the GENEXBeef Facebook page, however, these folks are so fabulous that we wanted to share their stories on the blog as well. Here’s a glimpse at three of our representatives. 

Independent Contractor John Ridder has been working with GENEX since 2011, serving customers in east central Missouri. John earned a degree in agriculture with emphases in animal science and ag economics from the University of Missouri – Columbia. John states the best part of his job is working with customers and helping them find success with their breeding programs. While he doesn’t have much spare time, he does make time to attend his kids’ activities.


When it comes to beef, John prefers a Falling Timber Farm ribeye on the grill with homegrown corn and tomatoes – yum!

Ross Beeson has been an Independent Contractor in southeast South Dakota since 2013. He grew up on a cow/calf ranch and earned an animal science degree from South Dakota State University. With the help of GENEX, he’s living the dream – he’s part of the family ranch, which has expanded and added custom heifer development and A.I. service. Ross truly enjoys the work he does with GENEX, stating the best part is talking cattle and studying each customer’s needs to help them achieve their reproductive goals.

Ross enjoys spending time with his wife and two girls. And when the girls go to bed, he can be found studying the GENEX lineup and Angus cattle. When asked about his favorite beef entrée, Ross noted, “Nothing beats a grilled tenderloin.”

Matt Swanson has been part of the GENEX team in north central Nebraska for over 10 years. What began as a good fit to his heifer developing business has grown so much that he no longer has time to develop heifers. Matt enjoys helping GENEX customers meet their herd reproductive goals. Seeing the progress of taking an average herd and developing it into something more is a rewarding process for him.

In his free time, you can find Matt doing various activities with his family, including fishing, camping, hunting and participating in 4-H shoot sports. As for his favorite beef entrée, well, he says as long as it’s beef he’s happy!