Page 19 - MWC 9-15-2022s2

and treat him like the cows, Total herd record keeping The Midwest Cattleman · September 15, 2022 · P19
without having to pamper a also tracks the fact that most man's claim
yearling. For close to 40 years, of the cows in the Curfman to fame.
we've been selling our bulls herd will still be producing at Rick illus-
that way.” 15 and 16 years of age, main- trated. “A hu-
He added: “We also avoid taining their ideal body frame morous sales
feeding our heifers to extreme. score of 6 to 7 with mature pitch we use
Too much and you can damage weight around 1,500 lbs., and around here,”
an udder with too much fat.” weaning calves heavy. Rick said,
All of those bulls and all “Our customers sell by the “when a cus-
of those females are all reg- pound,” Rick said. “Our wean- tomer is look-
istered at Curfman Charo- ing weights on our bull calves ing over our
lais. As the largest registrar will almost always be 600-plus bulls, goes
in the state of Illinois, Rick lbs., and many 700 lbs. Ironi- like this: If
emphasized the importance cally, our heifers match them you buy that
of total registration in order pretty well. Our buyers have bull and they
to achieve more accurate data compared weaning weights don't increase
across the breed. with other breeds, and have your weaning weights
“A lot of buyers will come yet to get one that we can't by at least 40 lbs., then
and say they don't care about beat. One customer related a you don't owe for the
those registration papers,” he testimony where he weaned bull. If they do increase
said, “but it is a point of pride all of his calves and start- your weaning weights
for them when they have them ed them on feed. His Charo- by 40 lbs., then you owe
in their possession. One rea- lais calves sold in November. twice as much for the
son we do it, is to make EPDs The other breed group wasn't bull. These commercial
far more accurate. When you ready at that point, so he put cow guys know Charo-
only register the best, it dis- them on feed and sold in Jan- lais will increase those
torts total EPD figures.” uary. They were still 100 lbs. weaning weights. So
According to Rick, it's easi- lighter with two more months far, none have taken us
er to do, bookwork wise, when of feed in them! I truly believe up on our offer.”
you do whole-herd registra- no other breed will beat Cha-
tion. American International rolais for heterosis, no matter
Charolais Association also of- what you put them on.”
fers some price advantages for Ultimately, making money
that level of commitment. with Charolais is the Curf-

Purebred

Charolais Bulls and

Females available

Open

House

March 18, David & (314) 974-5230

2023 Annette Bonacker bonakrfam@sbcglobal.net