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Large Crowd Gathers to Watch 35th National South Devon Show | Nichols Farms NC Division Selected as 2008 Seedstock Producer of the Year | Canadians Prepare for 2008 World South Devon Events | University of Wisconsin Beef Program Utilizing South Devon Genetics | Colby Community College Adds South Devon to Program | Cattlemen Stand Behind South Devon Regional Performance Impressive | South Devon–Exceptional Beef, Making an Impression | Feedlots express interest in South Devon Large Crowd Gathers to Watch 35th National South Devon ShowA large crowd gathered to watch the 35th National South Devon Show, Jan. 13, 2008 at the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colo. Todd Herman, Skiatook, Okla., open show judge and Lance Miller, Laramie, Wyo., junior show judge used performance data including EPDs, ultrasound data, rib eye area (REA), back fat percentage (BF), intra-muscular fat percentages (IMF), current weights and frame scores to select their champions. The Grand Champion Female title went to the entry of HS Atiya 127T, a Jan. 27, 2007 daughter of 8008, shown by Makayla Hoffman, Effingham, Kan. and Three Cedars Farm, Denison, Kan. She had an REA of 12.46, a BF score of .4 and an IMF of 4.34. Her EPDs are: BW: +32, WW: +22, YW: +31, MWW: +24 and Milk: +14. Her frame score was 5.8. The Reserve Grand Champion Female honors went to Cody Doubet, Parker, Colo., on his entry of MJB Sheridan 6868S, an Oct. 1, 2006 daughter of DLCC Sure Enuf 94M. She entered the show ring with an impressive set of EPDs: BW: -1.9, WW: +14, YW: +20, YW: +20, MWW: +18 and Milk: +18. She had an REA of 17.42, a BF score of .38 and % IMF of 3.96. Her frame score was 5.7. The Grand Champion Bull trophy went to HS E Plurbis Unum, a Jan. 4, 2007 son of DLC Royal Lad 21, shown by Three Cedars Farm, Denison, Kan., Showboat Cattle Co., Winchester, Kan. and Tennessee River Music Inc., Fort Payne, Ala. He weighed 1283 lbs. and had a weight per day of age of 3.45. His REA was 18.92, with a BF score of .42 and a % IMF of 3.14. His EPDs read: BW: -0.2, WW: +19, YW: +26, MWW: +18 and Milk: +9. The banner for Reserve Grand Champion Bull went to Hill Crest South Devons, Searsboro, Iowa and Three Cedars Farm, Denison, Kan., on their entry of Hill Crest Savage, a Feb. 19, 2006 son of DLCC Panther 53P. He entered the ring weighing 2223 lbs. with a weight per day of age of 3.22. His EPDs read: BW: -0.2, WW: +31, YW: +42, MWW: +30 and Milk: +14. He had an REA of 22.16, BF score of .51 and % IMF of 4.16. His frame score was 7.0 Three Cedars Farm, Denison, Kan., won the Pair of Bulls, Produce-of-Dam, Junior Get-of-Sire, Get-of-Sire, Best Five Head and Premier Breeder. Premier Exhibitor and Pair of Calves went to DarLynn Cattle Company, Pierz, Minn. and Showboat Cattle Company, Winchester, Kan., won the Pair of Yearlings division. Division Champions -Females -Junior Heifer Calf Champion: HS Atiya 127T, a Jan. 27, 2007 daughter of 8008, shown by Makayla Hoffman, Effingham, Kan., and Three Cedars Farm, Denison, Kan. Reserve Junior Heifer Calf Champion: MJB Tiger Lily 7567T, a Feb. 23, 2007 daughter of DLCC Sure Enuf 94M, shown by Cody Doubet, Parker, Colo. Senior Heifer Calf Champion: MJB Sheridan 6868S, an Oct. 1, 2006 daughter of DLCC Sure Enuf 94M, shown by Cody Doubet, Parker, Colo. Champion Summer Heifer: DLCC Mandi 130S, a May 12, 2006 daughter of BC Mountain Time 23N, shown by Leah Giess, Pierz, Minn. Champion Junior Heifer: Stephanie, an April 7, 2006 daughter of DLC Royal Lad 21, shown by Jordan Vander Molen, Sully, Iowa. Reserve Champion Junior Heifer: SBCC Midnight Star 6151, an April 4, 2006 daughter of MJB Midnight Rider R208L, shown by Taylor Ohlde, Easton, Kan. Champion Senior Heifer: SBCC Midnight Ruby 5171, an Oct. 16, 2005 daughter of MJB Midnight Rider R208L, shown by Showboat Cattle Co., Winchester, Kan. Bulls -Champion Bull Calf: HS E Plurbis Unum, a Jan. 4, 2007 son of DLC Royal Lad 21, shown by Three Cedars Farm, Denison, Kan., Showboat Cattle Co., Winchester, Kan. and Tennessee River Music, Inc., Fort Payne, Ala. Reserve Champion Bull Calf: DLCC Sure Thing Too 119T, a May 2, 2007 son of DLCC Sure Enuf 94M, shown by Lane Giess, Pierz, Minn. Reserve Champion Junior Bull: MJB Shur Loc 106S, a Jan. 24, 2006 son of DLCC Sure Enuf 94M, shown by DarLynn Cattle Co., Pierz, Minn. and MJB Ranch, Lodge Grass, Mont. Champion Senior Bull: HS JCW 80’s Shadow, a Feb. 27, 2005, son of HS TRM M80, shown by Three Cedars Farm, Denison, Kan. and Butterfly Acres, Denison, Kan. Reserve Champion Senior Bull: DLCC Stamina 138R, a Dec. 26, 2005 son of DLCC Polled Pro 111H, shown by MJB Ranch, Lodge Grass, Mont. and DarLynn Cattle Company, Pierz, Minn. Tony Matthis, Nichols Farms, NC Division, Clinton, North Carolina accepted the award for Seedstock Producer of the Year.
Nichols Farms NC Division Selected as 2008 Seedstock Producer of the YearThe Nichols Farms, North Carolina division, Clinton, NC was the recipient of the 2008 Seedstock Producer of the Year award at the recent 35th National South Devon Show held in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show, Denver, Colo., Jan. 13, 2008. “It was very humbling and challenging for me to accept the Seedstock Producer of the Year award on behalf of Nichols Farms NC Division,” said Tony Matthis. “We’ve only been in the South Devon business for a few years and have come a long way, yet it is hard for me to comprehend the depth of positive traits that the breed has to offer the cattle industry.” The Nichols Farms NC Division is a multi-breed operation with Angus, Simmental, South Devon, Nichols SX1 Composites and Nichols DX1 Composites. “We started in the South Devon breed because of the tremendous attributes that the breed has to offer commercial cattlemen,” said Matthis. “I honestly believe that South Devon as a breed can carry cattlemen to the next level just as Certified Angus Beef (CAB) has.” He also noted, “you can buy breeding stock that will pass for CAB guidelines at any street corner, but the quality, tenderness, maternal traits and gentleness that is needed today in this world of ‘paint them black’ can only be found from a small group of breeders called South Devon Producers.” Nichols Farms has been using South Devon genetics in their program since DLCC Black Enuf came on board as a Stud with ABS. After his first calves hit the ground, we felt so strongly about him that we purchased half interest in him from DarLynn Cattle Company, said Matthis. “Since that time there was no turning back.” In 2002 Nichols Farms purchased Ralph and Jenny Edward’s purebred herd of South Devons to give them a larger base. “We are continuously looking for out cross and improved genetics,” commented Matthis. “I really see South Devon taking over as the main breed in our operation and the South Devon/Angus/Simmental/Angus composites will be the main focus of other franchises.” The Nichols Farms offers four ways producers can market their calves in their program, through the Nichols Genetic Source Feeder Calf Sales and replacement breeding stock sales held annually, Nichols Partner Feedlots and by selling calves outright or partnering with the feedlot or retained ownership and also through Nichols Cooperator Programs. The farm has an annual kick off Private Treaty bull sale starting on the last Saturday in October and breeding stock is for sale throughout the year. “We service what we sell,” said Matthis. “Our bull sales have really changed from customers only interested in purebred Angus bulls for their herds, then to Simmental/Angus composites because of their hybrid vigor and now the wave of the future is the ‘New Breed’, South Devon, that offers the total package for the commercial cattlemen,” said Matthis. “South Devon continuously top our sales on kick off day.” He also noted that they have a bid breaker, where if more than one person wants a particular bull they are allowed to bid him off between the two bidders. “Almost all of our purebred and composite South Devon are bid up with only a handful of the other breeds bid up.” In the 2007 sale, Nichols of Iowa purchased the Nichols S808 bull for $6,800. Ronnie Oaks of Waynesboro, NC purchased a composite South Devon bull in 2006 for $7,500 and in 2005 Robert Allen, Clio, SC purchased a red South Devon bull for $5,000. The South Devon bulls averaged $4,270 in the 2007 sale with Simmental at $2,560, Angus at $2,895 and Angus/Simmental at $2,950. “It is a challenge for us as a seedstock producer to rise up and meet the challenge, of maintaining the integrity of the South Devon breed and not to water them down by painting them to meet the latest fad, or go off on some tangent as some breeds have,” said Matthis. Matthis was also elected as the new vice president for the North American South Devon Association. He and other South Devon enthusiasts will be organizing a Southeastern States South Devon Association that will encompass FL, SC, KY, TN, VA, GA and NC. The goal of the association will be to promote the ‘Complete Breed’, which is South Devon and maintain its integrity, said Matthis.
Canadians Prepare for 2008 World South Devon EventsThe Canadian South Devon Association members and board of directors are preparing for a large group of South Devon enthusiasts from the UK, New Zealand, Australia and the US to attend the 2008 7th World South Devon Tour and Congress, July 2-19. Visitors will stop at several operations in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. There will also be a full schedule of events and tourist stops during the tour. “This is our one time opportunity to showcase South Devon cattle and this great country to our overseas visitors,” said Teresa Walker, Canadian South Devon Association president. The World Congress will take place in Kananaskis, British Columbia, July 13-15. The conference will feature presentations from each world association, industry leading speakers and the opportunity for attendees to gather together and share ideas. For more information about the upcoming World South Devon events and the Canadian South Devon Association contact CSSDA President, Teresa Walker, (306) 646-4460 or log on to www.southdevon.ca. University of Wisconsin Beef Program Utilizing South Devon GeneticsDr. Jeff Lehmkuhler The University of Wisconsin (UW) beef program has three facilities in which beef cattle are managed for teaching and research purposes. These include the Franbrook Farm, home to a crossbred herd of approximately 100 cows utilized in studying the genetics associated with multiple births (i.e. twinning); Arlington Agricultural Research Station, which has finishing barns for feedlot studies along with pasture for 250-300 stockers during the grazing season and the Lancaster Agricultural Research Station (LARS), which is home to a 90 cow herd as well as running an additional 50-100 stockers annually. In 1999, the herd at the Lancaster was re-established with a group of crossbred club-calf type heifers as well as a group of Simmental X Angus crossbred heifers. This was then followed by research involving embryo transfer of in-vitro produced embryos. Due to the reduced conception rates and the need to have recipients for transfers, the herd saw rapid turnover with no selection criteria other than fertility being performed. Angus clean-up bulls were utilized on the cows. This research program ended following the retirement of the faculty member leading this work leaving the cow herd available for redirection. These research stations are reviewed periodically, which includes allowing producers or clientele an opportunity to provide input with respect to how the station is meeting their needs to help them make informed decisions. At the most recent Lancaster station review, clientele indicated that they desired to see the station utilize alternative or less common breeds. This would allow producers the opportunity to see how these breeds might be utilized in their herds in the future. As a result of the input from local producers a breeding program for the station’s herd was developed. The station still maintains a population of purebred Angus and Herefords. The initial strategy involved using Angus, Hereford and Red Angus in a crossbreeding program in which clean-up bulls from two of the breeds would be rotated through to capture increased heterosis. Additionally, the use of all British breeds allowed for the opportunity to eventually capture premiums on either a CAB or CHB grid. However, after viewing South Devon cattle on display in the beef tent at the Wisconsin Farm Technology Days, the decision was made to utilize South Devons rather than Red Angus. Their reported disposition was deemed to be an ideal fit for the crossbreeding program at the Lancaster Research Station due to the higher level of activity at the station and interaction with students as well as their overall thickness. In 2006, the University of Wisconsin purchased a red South Devon bull to utilize as a herd sire. Additionally, semen was donated by South Devon breeders and utilized in 2006. A total of 25 South Devon-sired calves were born in 2007 with a total of 69 calves being born at the station in 2007. There were 12 calves sired by a calving ease Angus bull out of first calf heifers and 14 calves sired by Hereford bulls included in a comparison of the South Devon-sired calves. All purebred Angus and Hereford calves were not included in the analysis. Calves were not creep fed. Based on a limited number of observations from 2007, the Angus-sired calves had a lighter actual and adjusted birth weights. The actual and adjusted birth weights were similar for the Hereford and South Devon-sired calves. There were few dystocia problems as reflected by the low Calving Ease Scores. The actual weaning weights of the Angus-sired calves from first calf heifers were the lightest as one would expect due to the lower milk production potential of heifers. The South Devon-sired calves had numerically the heaviest actual weaning weights, but these weights did not differ statistically from the Hereford-sired calves. Because heifers were bred to calve slightly earlier than the main cow herd, they were older at weaning than the calves from the other sire groups. There were no differences for 205 day age of dam adjusted weaning weights across breed of sire. One might predict minimal differences in the calf performance variables even for these unproven bulls when adjusting the within breed EPDs using the USDA Meat Animal Research Center’s Across Breed EPD adjustment factors. The slight differences observed are partially due to the fact that these are unproven bulls and the limited number of calves born from each sire. This information is shown in Table 2 for the clean-up bull’s uses at LARS. Table 2 also demonstrates how one might utilize the Across Breed Adjustment factors in crossbreeding programs. The University of Wisconsin Lancaster Agricultural Research Station is continuing to utilize South Devon sires in their crossbreeding program. The calves’ performance will continue to be monitored and shared. If you would like additional information on this work please call 608-263-7761.
Example South Devon bull is expected to sire calves that weigh 7.3 lbs. more at birth than 2K Designer (6.2-(-1.1)=7.3) and differences in weaning weights for the Hereford LP007 and South Devon Pro Ruler is estimated to be only 5.1 lbs. Table 2. Comparison of clean-up bulls utilized at LARS when adjusted using 2006 Across Breed Adjustment Factors for within Breed EPDs.
a,b,c Means with unlike superscripts are different. Table 1. Calving information by sire breed for the Lancaster Agricultural Research Station 2007 calf crop. A South Devon heifer calf ranked third in ADG at the University of Wisconsin, Lancaster Agricultural Research Station at the July weigh day.
Colby Community College Adds South Devon to ProgramThe Colby Community College located in Colby, Kansas recently added South Devon to their beef program. “We were looking to take the direction of our beef program to allow students access to managing a purebred herd, and possibly exhibit and market those cattle at a national level,” said Dr. Marcy Ward, beef program director. “The South Devon breed seemed to fit our goals, all while meeting the needs to improve our commercial herd.” “We market most of our cattle as processed beef to the local community. Though we get rave reviews about our beef quality, we still lack growth and size of rib eye to offer a truly premium product,” said Ward. “Utilizing South Devon in our commercial herd should help improve these issues.” We will use our pure bred South Devon’s to help maintain a base for our commercial herd, she said. “When students enroll in the Farm and Ranch Management Program at Colby Community College, they receive not only a quality education, but also gain hands on experience learning the day-to-day practices of a working beef herd,” Ward commented. “Not only do students learn to feed, breed, and calve out cows, but they are also introduced to the latest technology.” The Colby Community College utilizes electronic ID, ultrasound for both carcass and reproductive evaluation, and the latest in estrus synchronization techniques. They are also looking to acquire the latest in health management software. “Understanding the business aspect of the cattle industry is emphasized as much, if not more than basic animal husbandry,” said Ward. “We want students to appreciate the importance of marketing for maximizing profit, and the advantages of operation diversification.” Colby Community is looking to expand our Beef Marketing Team. Students involved in the project will help prep cattle for the show and/or sale ring for not only cattle owned by the college, but also for customer cattle. “From the other end of the industry, we will be offering a one-year certification program in Feedlot Technology,” Ward noted. “We will train students in all areas of a working feedlot. We have partnered with nationally recognized feedlots to insure participating students will be able to take quality internships to gain on the job experience and future employment.” Colby Community College (CCC) is located in Colby, Kansas. For more information about the CCC program log on to www.colbycc.edu. Cattlemen Stand Behind South Devon Regional Performance Impressive South Devon cattle have been time tested for mothering ability, milk and docility, pounds of performance and production of tasteful tender beef for 100’s of years in England their native country and in 1969 through 1974 a portion of the genetic pool was exported to North America where cattlemen continue to appreciate the special attributes of this mainstream breed. Commercial cattlemen and purebred producers in a variety of regional areas throughout the U.S. and Canada are utilizing South Devon in their crossbreeding programs to increase heterosis, thereby increasing pounds at weaning and productivity in the feedlot and for the beef retailer. “The adaptability of the breed to perform in many different types of environments and their ability to offer similar performance to continental breeds make them an English crossbreeding alternative,” said Dar Giess, World South Devon Society president and owner of DarLynn Cattle Company, Pierz, MN. “South Devon can and will play an important role in the commercial industry because of their ability to increase heterosis.” Roy Davis and his wife Moppy raise nearly100 head of commercial cattle at Grassy Creek Ranch located in Southeastern Texas in the town of Navasota. Their herd began as a grade group of cattle and since has developed into Brahman and South Devon cross cattle. Roy purchases purebred South Devon bulls from Oklahoma and has done quite well with this cross. Most of his cattle are three-quarters South Devon, while some are half bloods. The Navasota area experiences extremely hot and humid summers with temperatures upwards of 100 degrees, along with about 80% humidity. Additionally, they receive about 40 inches of rainfall per year. Davis thinks South Devon cattle do really well in this type of environment and the ranch has one of the only South Devon herds in the area. Grassy Creek Ranch participates in the Texas A&M Extension Ranch to Rail program, where they retain ownership of their steers and receive feed efficiency and carcass data on their cattle. Grassy Creek’s cattle have done very well the last few years, with their data sitting in the top 10% of all participants’ herds. Davis says, “I retired and we moved to our place in Navasota and one of the great things about South Devon cattle is that they are very easy to handle and you just don’t have trouble with them. We can do all the work ourselves.” Moppy adds, “Being in our late 60’s, we enjoy working with the cattle because they are so gentle. I have driven up beside our bulls in the pasture and sprayed fly spray on them without a problem.” From the plains of Texas to northwestern North Dakota, the praise for the adaptability of South Devon cattle continues at the Dahl Land & Cattle Company located in Gackle. A commercial cattle and seed stock operation, operating for over 55 years, with nearly 200 head of South Devon cattle Jack Dahl, past president of the NCA and a recent recipient of the North American South Devon Association Hall of Fame award was introduced to the breed by a friend in Nebraska 35 years ago. Later another friend of Dahls was buying South Devon bulls from South Dakota and bragged to him about the breed, so Dahl decided to try South Devons. He purchased some semen and artificially inseminated some of his females. Now about half of his herd are registered South Devon and the other half are commercial crossbreds. Dahl discovered South Devon cattle excel in a number of areas. He has been particularly impressed with their good disposition, maternal qualities and the carcass traits. Dahl believes by adding all the great South Devon qualities together, a producer, in turn, has an animal that is more profitable. Another cattleman who found the traits of the South Devon breed to be profitable is John Grande who runs a commercial cow/calf operation near Martinsdale, Montana. He uses South Devon as one of three breeds in a rotational cross. Most of his cattle are one-quarter up to five-eights South Devon. Living in the foothills, with elevations of 5,200 to 7,000 feet, average rainfall of about 16 inches and severe, snowy winters can be tough on cattle. Grande has found that South Devon cattle perform well in these conditions. Grande began using South Devons in his herd 10 years ago. He purchased his first South Devon bulls from the Midland Bull Test in Columbus, Montana. Since Grande retains ownership on most of his cattle, he strives to raise cattle that will perform in the feedlot and on the rail. The environment at the Grande Ranch requires cows that are able to climb hills and graze the whole pasture, instead of grazing primarily on flat lands and by water. In order to be profitable Grande needs cattle that will cover some ground and make use of the entire offering of grazing land. The Grande Ranch is concerned about mature cow size. However, the ranch typically has plenty of grass and they are able to run larger cows than some range operations. Grande likes to have 1,300-pound cows—he feels they work best in the ranch environment. To the Grande Ranch crossbreeding is important. Heterosis adds muscle and pounds at weaning as well as contributes to carcass marbling. Crossbred cows also have increased fertility with more bred and fewer open. Grande says, “South Devon are not as heavily muscled compared to the continental breeds, but they are the better of the British breeds.” Grande Ranch cattle are primarily sent to two feedlots. One is Darr Feedlot in Cozad, Nebraska and the other is Solaris Feeders in Miles City, Montana. Finished steers are marketed in May and June while heifers not retained for breeding are usually finished for the November/December market. When Chris Knudsen of Darr Feedlot was contacted he only offered positive comments about Grande Ranch cattle. “Grande cattle show good performance, good confirmation, are easy to handle and take right to the feed. They finish slightly ahead of the other cattle on feed. Grande cattle are ‘kind of the ticket,’” says Knudsen. “These cattle get right to business after traveling from Montana to Nebraska and we don’t usually have any problems with sickness.” Knudsen finished by saying, “Let’s put it this way. If Grande is ever looking for a partner, one of us is ready to jump.” For the last 12 years, Lee Englehardt, has also found that South Devon cattle have been profitable for X-E South Devons located in Moses Lake, Washington a purebred and commercial cow/calf operation. The ranch has over 200 head of registered South Devon cattle as well as half and three-quarter blood South Devon Angus Simmental cross cows. Each year Englehardt holds back replacement heifers and about 20 bull calves. Additionally, he feeds around 150 head of steers at North Platte Feeders in North Platte, Nebraska. X-E South Devons is in the center of Washington, where the climate is high desert, and they only receive about 5 inches of rain annually. The South Devon cattle do well in this environment and they also thrive in the local mountains. In fact, Englehardt says, “these cattle adapt to our ranch environments better than any other breed.” Englehardt is also impressed with the longevity of South Devon cattle. Most of X-E’s cows live to 13 years of age and are still producing quality calves. Additionally he strongly approves of the breed’s maternal abilities. Englehardt says, “I haven’t pulled a calf in years.” The ranch is able to get 97% of his cows bred back every year without any problems. Finally Englehardt emphasized how docile South Devon are—explaining that even if the cattle ran on pasture all winter, they remain gentle. When asked about successes in the feedlot, Englehardt replies that his cattle always have high yields and better carcass quality--equaling more profitability. In 13 ½ months he can get a calf from birth to harvest. The breed grows and converts feed really well, also generating a higher profit. Englehardt says, “South Devon cattle are the most complete, most bulletproof, as I call ‘em.” South Devon–Exceptional Beef, Making an Impression
Conception to Digestion Feedlots express interest in South Devon The feedlots listed will provide a variety of services for the producer that may include carcass and performance data, ultrasound data, grid marketing, partnership opportunities and risk management assistance. For more information contact NASDA Performance and Carcass Committee Member Vearl Thompson, 218-397-2564 or E-mail tlc@brainerd.net.
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