Page 16 - MWC 10-26-2023s

The Midwest Cattleman · October 26, 2023 · P16
The Science Behind Naylor Shorthorns

By Brenda Black

Four key components fac- ing rate of about 1.5 acres/
tor heavily in the success of cow.
an agricultural operation: “One thing I've noticed
Right source, right rate, right that is kind of contrary to a
time and right place. Brett lot of peoples' beliefs is brush
Naylor lives in Halfway, Mo., hogging pastures early,”
and Naylor Angus & Short- Brett said. “Sometimes it is
horns split their purebred too wet or the forecast pre-
herd 50/50 between two be- vents mowing this early, but
loved breeds. In fact, the when I am able I will go out
Naylors even divide the work the end of May or first week
load twixt two Naylor house- of June. It allows me to cut
holds. But, don't be fooled. off seed heads, and that gets
The Naylor family does noth- the plants into a vegetative
ing halfway or halfheartedly. mode instead of a seed bear-
They are all in, 100% dedicat- ing cycle. The result is a good,
ed to raising seedstock born thick patch of grass. My pas-
of the right source, grown tures that I mow early hold
at the right rate, sold at the up later in the year and don't
right time and from the right get so dry.”
place. Just as he understands
Brett Naylor is a third white and roan, the females plemental haylage. This fall and is able to manipulate
generation Shorthorn breed- get divided based on readily he wrapped 200 bales off 14 plant production, in his par-
er, following in his grandfa- available forage, pregnan- acres. allel cattle universe Brett
ther's and parents' footsteps. cy stages and breeding sea- Interest in soil health and utilizes similar strategies
He and his wife Brittney sons. Though 90% of the herd feed crop alternatives come to breed, grow and market
partner on cattle with Brett's are fall calvers a few spring automatic to Brett, who has Shorthorn bulls.
parents Gary and Pam Nay- bred will end up in Gary's a PhD in Agronomy and Crop “I work with seed variet-
lor in Polk County. In 2022, and Pam's pastures, 15 miles Science from the University ies,” Brett said. “If we don't
the Missouri State Fair hon- from Brett and Brittney's of Missouri, Columbia, and get the right seed variety, on
ored the Naylor family as place. works as Variety Develop- the right soil and acreage,
Shorthorn Breeder of the “Both farms are run the ment Manager in the Mid- it won't be suitable or work
Year, acknowledging their same way,” Brett said. “We west region with global seed right. When someone calls
long history with Shorthorns manage together and move company BASF. On the clock for a bull, I have lot of ques-
since the 1950s. Angus didn't cattle back and forth when he tests soybean seed prod- tions for them first. 'What
enter the picture until the needed. They develop a group ucts, compiles data and works are you going to use him on?'
late 1990s. Today, the Nay- of bulls there and I do here.” with a team to launch new and 'How many head?' and
lors run both breeds as one Seeing eye-to-eye on daily products and market them. 'What are your goals?' All of
herd, with about a hundred protocol comes easy since Turning technical informa- their answers help us select
head of each. Brett admits, “My parents tion into laymen's terms for the right product for their op-
“Running two purebred pretty much taught me ev- customer training and sales eration.”
herds together makes it a erything I know about proper support is all part of the job Brett said. “We A.I. ex-
little more difficult from a management, breeding, and description. clusively since we run two
breeding standpoint,” Brett caring for an animal's nutri- Ever the crop scientist, breeds in the same pasture,
said. “But, we like to do that tional needs.” Brett looks at pasture land and we make those breeding
because we have the same Brett has a few ideas of like crop land. His degree decisions with our customers
goals for each herd and can his own that he implements in plant physiology has him in mind. We have customers
evaluate them as the same on his property, including size up grass-growing a little whose goal is to buy an ani-
group.” rotational grazing and sow- differently, in order to get the mal with good carcass traits.
When it comes to housing ing some winter wheat and most out of the ground and And we sell everything in
200-plus head of black, red, Sudan grass to bale as sup- be able to maintain a stock- between. People want car-