January 2008 Issue (pdf - 19265 kb)... - Hereford America

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28 • www.herefordamerica.com HEREFORD AMERICA • January 2008 Rausch... (continued from page 26) The family sells 100 bulls and 200 heifers in their annual spring sale the third Monday in February. The honors One of this Hereford family’s greatest honors has been their continuous dominance in the AHA’s Dam of Distinction program. A program where cows must have produced at least three calves, meeting breeding interval and performance criteria and produce progeny with a 205-day adjusted weaning weight ratio of at least 105. Rausch Herefords has had more Hereford cows named to this esteemed listing of maternal matriarchs than any other breeder in the past 25 years. In 2007, they topped the list with 70 cows. Just how does a Hereford breeder accomplish this? The Rausch team speaks humbly on how they have reached this milestone and say that it just has to do with the basics. The cow herd breeding program is all natural with no artificial insemination incorporated and designed to be in sync with nature describes the family team. This system compliments the fertility of the cow they believe. “The two-year-old heifers are bred timely and in the right condition,” says Jerry and Rick adds that “The selection for maternal traits in the overall program has also added to this success.” The cow herd is managed similar to that of a commercial cow herd and selection pressures omit cattle that are outliers in any one trait. Bull selection is also important as the bloodlines are studied extensively, considering visual as well as performance and EPD parameters that will fit what the Rausch cowherd needs at the time. “We have to consider EPDs because we have to keep our customers in mind and EPDs are important to our customers,” says Jerry. The family was also most recently the recipient of the 2007 South Dakota Seedstock Producer of the Year award. Their involvement in state and national associations have been all inclusive and to list all their leadership and volunteer roles would be nearly endless. The future With more than 50 years of beef cattle production under their belt, what does an operation like Rausch Herefords think about the future? The Rausches have proven to take on new challenges and industry changes as fast or faster than many operations. They were the first Hereford breeders to incorporate video auction viewing of their bull sale. The online coverage provided by DVAuction allowed bull and female buyers unable to attend the sale to bid and view the sale from home. “We’ve had great response to the online viewing and it hasn’t hurt our crowd at all,” says Vern. “We need to keep the customer in mind and provide them with options that work for them as well.” In 2007 they joined in the “Mile High Sale” held in conjunction with the Denver National Western Stock Show with a pick of their female herd and have consigned the 2008 sale with that same option. This was a new marketing tool for the family. Rick is optimistic in his future view. “I’d predict the return of cross breeding to increase productivity in the industry, this return will enhance the value of Herefords and stimulate growth of the breed.” “The Hereford breed has gone Kids and Calves — Some of the Rausch grandkids helping sort.
HEREFORD AMERICA • January 2008 www.herefordamerica.com • 29 through lots of changes in the last 20 years. The fertility, temperament, hardiness and just easy for our young family members to be around kind of cattle – that’s why we have not gone away from Herefords,” says Jerry. Vern sees a continuous challenge creating pull through demand for our customers’ feeder cattle. Therefore, they have taken advantage of the great pheasant hunting in central South Dakota and invite feedlot owners, packer sales staff, grocery chain retailers and food distributors to the ranch. In addition to a hunting opportunity, the family teaches these guests about management practices that producers do to ensure that Herefords continue to be the beef of choice for eating experiences. Information presented in these sessions also include: live demonstrations of ultra sounding for carcass quality, balancing of feed rations, bull and cow mating and cattle handling procedures. The bottom line is educating those who influence the purchase of Hereford genetics and thus in the end offering additional value to Rausch Hereford bull customers. demonstrate the depth of the Rausch program and the future potential for the family. The family speaks often of being blessed with good neighbors, a great community, strong faith and a love for Hereford cattle. “Little things are what make big things happen, says Vern. Staying focused and perseverance leads to one’s ability to achieve goals.” Editor’s note: You can access the Rausch Herefords’ website by going to www.RauschHerefords.com February Ads Need to be in by January 5th The Difference Making the difference with strong family values and commitment, outstanding breeding herd goals and successes and a sharp eye for the future Rausch Forecast for Cattle Industry: 1) High tech breeding programs will flourish as well as all natural breeding programs. Cattle will continue proving their performance and efficiency. 2) High input costs such as labor, fuel and high tech costs will keep them in balance. 3) Some cattle will continue to be over promoted. 4) Communication of information up and down the beef chain will improve and a one size fits all animal will come closer to reality. 5) Technology will continue to improve in selecting cattle that are desired by all segments of the beef chain. 6) Electronic animal identification will improve and be a big asset in the monitoring of performance of cattle. 7) Consumers will be able to dictate more what type of cattle will be raised by what they are willing to pay more for or not pay for. 8) Breeders will be paying closer attention to how their cattle perform in the feedlots and on the rail. 9) Cattle shows will be forced to become more performance and efficiency oriented. 10) DNA will become more affordable in identifying progeny thus allowing breeders to use multiple bulls in a pasture and still measure performance data. Cody Haber Circle, MT • (406) 485-2224 c_haber41@hotmail.com Bernie & Stacie Buzanowski Pompeys Pillar, MT • (406) 875-2138 snowshoecattle@msn.com
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