Page 26 - MWC 04-01-2021s

INTERNATIONAL The Midwest Cattleman · April 1, 2021 · P26
continued from page 23 ductive fertility or soundness. is the primary driver of the fu- heifers and keeping confidence
says Gundy. “I’ve just always It wasn’t long until they began ture of our herd.” in my steer buyers.”
liked the Brangus breed. From wanting more from the 3/8 x The Gundys were seeing And, promising carcass re-
5/8 secret.
my childhood on, there’s no such success in the use of EPDs sults the Gundys proved. Over
other explanation. As we began “As the Gundys began to on their sire selection, they de- the years, the Gundys have
our herd, the biggest thing I no- turn their bull battery over ex- cided to double down, selecting retained ownership on hun-
ticed was the hair quality on the clusively to Brangus and Ultra- bulls that ranked in the top dreds of cattle through to the
Brangus influenced females. I blackÆ bulls, their satisfaction 35% of the breed in as many feedyard, seeing great success
found that on fescue country, with the breed never wavered,” traits as possible. They aimed in the carcass quality of their
the Angus cow was just retain- recalls Gariss. “In fact, satisfac- to select for traits that would Brangus-influenced fat steers.
ing her hair so much worse, tion increased as they learned allow calves to come easy, grow Data from several pens of cat-
which is why I started to make the value that EPDs brought fast, and hang a high-valued tle sourced from the Bar G op-
the switch in the first place. We to the herd, particularly on the carcass on the rail, without sac- eration showed cattle grading
steer side.”
tried Hereford cattle as an ex- rificing reproductive efficiency 95-100% Choice grade, or bet-
The Gundys take bull selec- in their keeper heifers.
periment. But, in the summer tion seriously. Rivaling many ter. In fact, they won the 2018
when it’s 100 degrees outside, “I look for a bull that is IBBA Carcass Merit Challenge
you’ll see the British cattle in registered producers in their well-rounded,” comments award for their high valued,
the pond, while the eared cattle herd sire selection, they under- Gundy. “I look for a bull that parent-verified progeny.
are out grazing on pasture. To stand the value their bull bat- will produce a good cow and “The real testament to the
me, that equates to pounds, or tery provides to their cowherd throw calves that are heavy at success of the Bar G operation
more simply put, dollars in my and the type and kind of bull yearling so when we sell our is the sustainability it has pro-
pocket.” that they need to succeed in steers, we get a maximum re- vided their family,” remarks
For many producers raising their environment, both physi- turn. I want the buyer of my Gariss. “The Gundys have been
cattle in the fescue belt, breed- cally and financially. calves to have a good experi- able to raise their family and
back time is critical. Fescue as “A bull is 50% of your calf ence, so I want a bull with high expand their ranch solely in
a forage naturally increases the crop and your income,” states carcass EPDs. I want a bull the cattle business. Not a dollar
body temperature of an animal, Gundy. “And truly, if you retain that can sire calves that feedy- comes in or goes out that doesn’t
making summer breeding for heifers like we do, your bull in- ard buyers are actively looking touch a cow, and in today’s day
spring calf crops a challenge. fluence starts to be 75% of your for. For the most part, I just try and time that’s just very rare.
The Bar G crew found an extra herd very quickly. I can look to stay on the topside of aver- Cow sense, business expertise,
shot of Bos indicus allowed the across my cowherd and hon- age across the board when it and hard work turned these
Brangus female to withstand estly say that there’s not a sin- comes to EPDs. I put a lot of rancher’s dreams into reality.”
those challenges, not missing gle cow we own that we didn’t work into keeping the spec-
a beat in the game of repro- raise. So, for us, selecting a bull trum balanced. I’m keeping my

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