Page 30 - MWC 10-5-2023s

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AT HOME The Midwest Cattleman · October 5, 2023 · P30
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“We normally develop heif- mains to be fescue. As a re-
ers on grass,” Lynn said. “and sult, it took trial and error in
we chop silage and bale a lot the early years to find Mon-
of hay to try and have enough tana genetics that work on
for a year ahead. This year, Missouri's predominant for-
we kept two groups of heifers age.
in the feedlot, and had to feed “There is a similarity that
them our storage of chopped most people don't realize,”
silage. We were beginning to Lynn said “between Mon-
wonder who all would have tana and Missouri pastures.
to come home to be fed. A They run on a hard grass
rain in early August made it totally different than our
possible to leave most on pas- fescue, but it has an ergot
ture. But we brought one fall similar to the one we have
group of cows in early and in fescue. That's one of the
put them on the waterways reasons Montana cattle will animals. Moderate bulls and cut deep enough into our
and field borders after chop- do better here, than say cat- females are the kind you can bulls, that if it is down to the
ping corn. That stretched our tle out of Nebraska. We have turn out on fescue and have last bull, he is only the one
grass for the others a little waded through the ones them make you money.” that hasn't sold yet; he's not
more.” that don't work here. When That's the kind Hopewell lacking in anything. Our last
At Hopewell Farms Angus, bringing cattle back this Farms Angus keeps crank- bull has to be as good as the
4,100 acres of grass is man- way, we would bring a half ing out in mass, making the first bull sold in the group.
aged similarly to the 900 a dozen from a sire line. If possibilities for top genetics Sometimes, he's the last bull
acres of cropland yielding they didn't thrive, we didn't more available for their most- in the pen because we are de-
corn, beans and wheat. bring that line in again. We ly commercial customers. ciding whether we are going
“Our ground works hard sorted through genetics for “The goal is and always has to use him ourselves.”
for us and we pay attention to 25 years to find the ones that been to produce Angus cattle Hopewell Farms Angus
cover crops and soil health,” do thrive.” which pass on traits that are may be one of the largest
Lynn said. At the heart of Hopewell truly important to the com- purebred Angus operations
We are basically a no-till are those high-achieving, mercial cattleman’s bottom in Missouri with plenty to
system, but we do some deep fescue-tolerant females. line,” Lynn said. “Hopewell offer, but it's not just about
ripping because the ground “Our cow herd remains Farms Angus is 'Quality in the size of the herd. There is
gets compacted from the our focus,” Lynn said. “Al- Quantity.' Because we have an immensity of heart. The
weight of forage equipment.” though we are raising breed- enough volume, breeders Fodge family runs a lot of
The Fodges utilize cover ing bulls, and we want those that are needing several an- cows, sells a lot of bulls, feeds
crops to not only feed cattle to be the best we can pro- imals can come in here and a lot of steers and harvests
but to produce organic mat- duce for our customers, we pick a set of half brothers, a lot of crops. And they love
ter and break up roots. Soil pay a lot of attention to our or find 20 females bred the largely the work they do and
tests are regularly conduct- females. If they can't make same way.” the customers they serve.
ed, and a lot of grass gets us a living like good com- While they are making “I feel like we have been,
manure spread on it from mercial cows do for every- their selections, Lynn said and are, very, very blessed
the feedlot to replace organic body else, then they won't their customers don't have to with the opportunity to do
matter and nutrients. Even work for us. We don't chase worry about getting the pick, what we do as a family,” Lynn
leased pastures are taken individual traits, but we do or the runt, of the litter, since said. “And we are thankful
care of like Hopewell's own. breed for individual traits. A quality and consistency run we get to work with the peo-
“You just have to fertilize,” good producer with good feet, deep. ple we've come to know not
Lynn said. “And spray for good milking and fertility is “So many times when just as customers, but as
weed management. We have the goal. A few years ago, you go to look for a sire, the friends. And that's enough.”
always mowed and harrowed, several breeders were chas- last bull doesn't amount to
but when the grass isn't com- ing that Dollar Beef ($B) to a whole lot,” Lynn said. “We
peting with ragweed, it has a the extent that they didn't
far greater fighting chance. pay attention to whether the
Alec has done a great job of animal could walk or not, as
knocking back noxious weeds long as it landed in the top Power of Angus.
that steal so many nutrients.” 1% for $B. We have to have
Still, most of that grass re- well balanced, productive Adam Conover,
Regional Manager A reliable business partner is difficult to come
by. Contact Adam Conover to locate Angus
Iowa genetics, select marketing options tailored to
Missouri your needs, and to access American Angus
®
Association programs and services. Put the
business breed to work for you.

Contact Regional Manager Adam Conover:
Cell: 816-676-8560
aconover@angus.org

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