Cattleman’s Corner Radio

We're talking Travis Haslam, and let's see, what's the closest town to you again in Wyoming? 
 
"Opal, Wyoming, with a population of about 50."
 
Grass getting green? 
 
"Yeah, it's getting green, and we've had some pretty timely rains, and it looks good."
 
So, what's your elevation there? 
 
"We're at 6,500 feet." 
 
Do you calve out early, or are you in the middle of it, or what? 
 
"We're most of the way through it. We're working through branding, getting things branded, and getting turned out. A lot of our stuff we can turn out here this week and next week."
 
Your terrain, are you close to some high mountains, or is everything fairly flat like, say, Cheyenne? 
 
"We have a lot more mountains than Cheyenne. We're kind of surrounded by high desert here, but it's probably 40 miles to the forest, and we'll take some cows up to the forest, but they can't go on until the first of July. It's high enough."
 
And that'll be, what, 9,000 and above? 
 
"Yeah. And you said you're at 6,000? Yeah, we're at 6,500."
 
 

Ranching Conditions and Livestock Management: Jim Jensen discusses the challenges of cattle ranching at high elevations and the impact of high mountain disease on cattle, particularly Angus breeds, which suffer from a condition known as high mountain disease or brisket disease. This involves a lack of oxygen leading to heart failure in animals. Despite the prevalence among Angus cattle, it's suggested that multiple breeds could be affected under specific environmental stresses.
Ranching Lifestyle and Efficiency: The conversation elaborates on ranching as a lifestyle choice rather than just an occupation, emphasizing the efficiency and self-reliance required. Jim's family operates a highly efficient ranch with a focus on feed efficiency and minimal labor, relying heavily on family members. They manage extensive lands including those under BLM and Forest Service leases while using advanced techniques for livestock management to maintain financial stability.

Today we have Roger Olson, a Gelbvieh breeder from Colorado. How did you get started in the Gelbvieh, Roger? 
 
Well, in 1970, my dad bought a group of three-quarter blood Gelbvieh cattle from a gentleman in South Dakota. There was 75 head there. The Gelbvieh breed has always been really, really good for us. We've always just stayed with it. 
 
Why do you think that is? 
 
They check all the boxes, as far as maternal traits, feed gain, their do-ability as far as pastures are concerned, docile disposition, very fertile cattle. We have just a super breed up every year. The cows have just not ever let us down. Even drought years, like we are having this year, just having phenomenal calves. Like I said, they've always treated us very well. They've never disappointed. We have an annual bull sale, pot of gold bull sale, over in Montrose, Colorado, every year, last Friday in February. I have been doing that for 35 years and have just been a successful bull sale and sell feedstock. They've always just been really good for us. 
 
What kind of country is that where you are? Is that good for raising cattle? 
 
It was good at one time. We're being invaded by subdivisions and investment groups and stuff like that, so we're having a hard time as far as finding pasture and feed. It's becoming a challenge. 
 
Your location is Platteville. Where is that? 
 
Fifteen miles south of Greeley, up in the north central. 
 
That was Roger Olson from northeastern Colorado's Mill Iron Lazy V Cattle Company. 
 
That's going to do it for today's Cattleman's Corner.

Each year the Colby Community College does a great job conducting and annual bull sale. Listen in as Don Edwards of Hyde Gelbvieh explains...

Listen in to see who our surprise guest is... from an old ghost town in Colorado.

Meet Justin Maus from Maus Angus Ranch as he shares his experiences, discussing his history in the livestock business, which began in 2014 when he started raising registered Angus cattle. Located in the southwest of North Dakota, near the Montana-South Dakota border, the ranch has benefited from networking with neighbors and using online platforms like DV Auction for exposure.
Maus Angus Ranch's key focus is their upcoming annual sale of registered Angus bulls on February 14th. The sale will feature 57 Angus bulls, including a few consignments, aiming to expand the ranch's offerings while focusing on basics such as foot and leg structure, udder quality, and cow functionality. The auction will be conducted live at their heated shop but will not run cattle physically through, instead displaying them on screens for on-site and online viewers.

Now here's an archived interview with the late Howard Hale and Randolph, Kansas breeder Galen Fink. They're talking about the subject of athletic bulls. Let's listen in.
 
Galen Fink is with us. Fink Beef Genetics at Randolph, Kansas. 
 
On your website you have a little video that talks about athletic bulls. Explain, will you? 
 
"That phrase comes from a customer of ours. He's an old longtime customer. He's passed away now, giving him a hard time one time about 35 years ago that he needed to take better care of his bulls, joking around. After he got through the breeding season, he just looked at me and said, you've never seen a fat athlete, have you? I have always used that quote. I thought that was a very interesting quote. Bulls need to be developed like athletes. They don't need a lot of fat on them to empower feet and legs and semen production and everything the rest of their lives. That was a quote from Andy Olson and we just kind of stick by that."
 
So how do you develop your bulls then? 
 
"We're on a higher up each ration. Generally, after we wean them, our bulls are on a two pounds per day gain. So that's quite a bit less than what many folks do developing their bulls. We don't want fat bulls."
 
Galen Fink, Fink Beef Genetics at Randolph, Kansas.
 
And that was the late Howard Hale with Galen Fink, Fink Beef Genetics, Randolph, Kansas. And you can catch more of those archived interviews right on cattlemanscorner.com. 

Learn more about Jerry Grund of Grund Beef Genetics on Cattleman's Corner with Brian Hale.

Call Brian today at 941-942-4361 for a FREE INTERVIEW on the radio!