View From the Range
Montana Ranch Improves Cattle Genetics to Boost Calf Market Value
REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Genetics are a key factor to producing cattle that bring top prices, and Tristan and Shaylyn Stark are refining their herd to improve efficiency, adapt to challenging conditions and deliver the high-quality calves buyers increasingly demand.
The Starks own S Bar K Cattle and Hay in Baker, Montana, and are participating in DTN's View From the Range series, where DTN will follow a year at the ranch to give readers an inside look at how the ranch operates and cares for its animals.
This segment of the series shows how they market calves each year and further decisions that are made to improve their herd.
MARKETING CALVES FOR MAXIMUM VALUE
All the Starks steer calves are sold on video auction in early summer. "There are later sales, but this year, especially, we wanted to take advantage of good cattle prices. So, we sold earlier," Shaylyn said.
She said there are several options for sale platforms, and they will always have to take a few cattle to the sale barn, but all the steer calves are sold either with Northern Livestock Auction or on Superior Livestock Auction. This year, they sold on a Northern Livestock video auction at the end of June.
"When we sell on a video auction, we have to confirm our consignment a few weeks prior so they can get all the information about the cattle and get a representative out to do the videos," she explained.
This year they sold two heavy loads, which are to average 640 pounds and one lighter load, which is to average 550 pounds with a Nov. 4 delivery. They will sell these with Tristan's parents, so the number to sell is more and that usually helps prices go higher. The sale requires information on breed, sex, color, weight and delivery date to go in the consignment information. A vaccination record can also seek a premium, but Shaylyn said the best way to have your calves sell well is by having high-quality, fast-growing calves, which is what they strive to produce.
BREEDING FOR EFFICIENCY AND DEMAND
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Since the drought in 2021, the Starks have focused on bringing cow size down while not giving up weight. This has taken some careful breeding decisions and selection of bulls that are more moderate and full of muscle.
"In the past we have had a Gelbvieh influence in our herd and now we are selecting more SimmAngus bulls to keep mature weight near the same, but not have a large frame score," Shaylyn said.
Some heifers will get marketed, but she said with their shift in type, they have been keeping a lot of heifers and culling cows that are larger framed or cause management problems. "We still want to have calves with higher weights, but ones that can withstand drought more. We want them to gain well and be more efficient," she added.
The Starks are not sure how many heifers they will keep this year, but Shaylyn said they can always market more or feed out any outliers.
At weaning, calves are weighed and the livestock auction representative will help sort calves into groups to load on semi-trucks and ship to the new buyer. The company representative will make sure the calves are what were promised on the sale earlier in the summer and follows through with the buyer after delivery.
"We do like it when we hear from the buyers as to how our calves do for them," she said. "We have had several repeat buyers, which is a good sign that we are providing what they are looking for."
If the Starks need to make further changes to their herd because of weather woes or for other improvements, they are willing to shift their goals to make it happen for their customers.
Editor's Note: To see previous stories in this series, go to: "Montana Family Shares View From the Range," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
"Montana Ranchers Weather Challenges to Preserve Ranch Heritage," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
"Montana Family Follows Winter Weather Care Routine," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
"Montana Family Keeps Calving Low Labor," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
"Young Montana Ranchers Making Dream into Reality," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
"Montana Ranch Family's Branding Traditions," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
"Montana Ranchers Use Summer to Stockpile Feed for Winter," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
"Montana Ranch Keeps Its Cow Herd Thriving Year-Round," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
"Montana Ranchers Adapt Grazing Plan to Available Resources," https://www.dtnpf.com/…
Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com
Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal
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