HAPPY NEW YEAR! - It has finally rained!

We hope this Winter Newsletter finds all of you well and enjoying the rain, at least it is raining here where we are in East Texas. We have had several rains since the sales in October and November. It is something we can always use and we always need it.

Have you made your New Year's resolutions yet? Hope so. It is really hard to keep some of those and we tend to work really hard on them for about a month or 2 and then something else gains priority and we change focus. But there is one "focus" that we all have in common and that is ANGUS cattle.

In 2006, we had a New Member Workshop and an AHIR workshop presented by regional Angus Associations. A*L*O*T sponsored two of these workshops. We had an outstanding response and we hope to present more educational workshops in the future.

Texas had the biggest gain in new members in 2006 in the American Angus Association.

CAB* (*Registered Trademark, Brand), in 2006, achieved its third highest year in sales with more than 543 million pounds and highest level of carcass utilization at 297 pounds per certified carcass. Demand for Certified Angus Beef (CAB) brand is growing...and with the help of CAB new president, John Stika, Ohio, at the helm, this trend will continue. Mr. Stika said at the annual meeting in Louisville, Kentucky on 13 Nov 06, "I look forward to working with our licensees, producers and staff along the same successful path that was maximized CAB product quality and integrity since 1978. The demand for CAB product will continue to grow. We need to keep building on the value CAB brings to the producer membership and licensee base so they remain focused on incorporating the brand in their future plans. CAB will continue to set the standard for quality beef. More brands will come and go, but CAB will stay in the driver's seat as long as it ensures a superior eating experience. As a brand, we will continue developing our role in customer service and customer success."

A*L*O*T "lost" a valued board member when he resigned at the annual meeting in October, 2006. Randy Roden resigned as board member so that he could assume his new duties as Texas Angus Association's new president for 2007. Ernest Shelton is the outgoing TAA president.

BUT, A*L*O*T "regained" a valued board member when Bill Stone was elected to fill Mr. Roden's place. Bill is no stranger to A*L*O*T.

Randy contributed greatly to A*L*O*T and was indeed an asset and we will miss him.

Bill had taken some time off but we are thankful he is ready to come back to "work" for A*L*O*T.

There are pages in this edition with A*L*O*T sales advertising that you can copy and post in your local area to help advertise A*L*O*T sales. If you have/or see an ad in the newsletter, feel free to copy and post in your area also to help advertise.

In 2007, resolve to ask at least one new person to come to the sale and bid/purchase Angus cattle. You can be the best advertisement for Angus cattle. There are many articles in this edition of the newsletter that will help you advertise and sell your ANGUS cattle at A*L*O*T sales.

The Texas Angus Best of the West Bull Sale will have taken place by the time you get this newsletter. It was Saturday, 20 January 2007 at 1:00 p.m. Ft. Worth Stock Show, West Area.

The Stars of Texas Female Sale will also have taken place. It was on Friday, January 26, 2007 at 1:00 p.m., Ft. Work Stock Show, West Area.

The Texas Angus Annual Meeting was held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 26, 2007, and at 6:00 p.m. the Annual Banquet was held in the Historic Ft. Worth Stockyards, River Ranch Banquet Facility, 500 N.E. 23rd St. 76102. A Silent Auction benefiting the Texas Junior Angus Association and scholarship fund was conducted as well as an auction for the sale of pages in the Texas Angus Association Directory. If you did not attend, you may contact Heather at taa@sbcglobal.net or calling her at 817-740-0778 about ads in the directory.

Something to watch for: The TAA/UG Bull Development Committee have finalized an agreement with Ultimate Genetics and will be executing this agreement as 2007 unfolds. Watch for the presentation of this agreement in the TAA newsletter.

There are changes in A*L*O*T. Please be sure to read all the articles. I resolve to make 2007 the best yet for Angus and A*L*O*T. How about you? See you 24 February 2007 at bull sale!

A*L*O*T Fall Female Sale Results

Topping the Sale:

• Top Selling Fall Pair
  Lot 23 "G M F Miss Bando 303," 14386490, consigned by Franklin Angus, Duncan, OK, sold with bull calf by N Bar Emulation EXT (#10776479) born 9/16/06 to Tree Grace Farms, Quinlan, TX, for $2,500.
• Top Selling Spring Pairs
  • Lot 61 "Roseneath Beauty 232," 14355304, Bred cow confirmed safe in calf to B C C Bushwacker 41-93 (#12048084) consigned by Roseneath Plantation, Gloster LA, sold to McKeever Angus, Bullard, TX, for $1,450 and Bull Calf by Roseneath 598 362 ,(+14684722) born 2/8/06 sold to Silver Sage Ranch, Mt. Pleasant, TX, for $1,200. Pair sold for $2,650.
  • Lot 97 "W R Sarah's Traveling 6807," +14434808, Bred cow confirmed safe to G A R Predestined (13395344) consigned by Wallace Ranch, Comanche, TX, sold to Ralph Carroll, Grand Saline, TX, for $1,800, and Heifer Calf by W R GAR Design 334 (14629305) born 3/4/06 sold to Karly Wicker , DeKalb, TX, for $850. Pair sold for $2,650.
• Top Selling Embryo Package
  • Lot 83 - 6 Embryos "S A V 8180 Traveler 004" (13512009) and "G A R New Design 1849" (#+13397336), consigned by TDM Enterprises, Tecumseh, OK, and purchased by Reinig Angus, Roanoke, TX and Neal Angus Ranch, Prescott, AR, for $1,800.
• Top Selling Bred Cow
  • Lot 41 "Miss MCK Bando 3033", +14755511, bred to a "Lead On" son, McKellar Leader 4066 (14984874) for a February '07 calf, consigned by McKellar Ranch, Mt. Pleasant, TX, and purchased by H & S Ranch, Mt. Vernon, TX, for $2,900.
• Top Selling Bred Heifers
  • Lot 54 "RR Black Lass 5071", 15060343, bred to Schurrtop M C 2500 (14840227) for a January '07 calf, consigned by Riverview Angus, Little Rock, AR, and purchased by Donny Daniel, Kemp, TX, for $2,800.
  • Lot 100 "W R 738 Design 531", +15199124, bred to G A R Retail Product (133095329) for a February '07 calf, consigned by Wallace Ranch, Comanche, TX, and purchased by Lake Henry Farms, Streetman, TX, for $2,800.
• Top Selling Open Heifer
  • Lot 2 "4W Miss Direction", 15034806, sired by C A Future Direction 4321 (12493607) consigned by 4W Angus Ranch, Tolar, TX, and purchased by Tree Grace Farms, Quinlan, TX, for $2,000.

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A*L*O*T Fall Bull Sale Results

Annual Fall Registered Black Angus Female Sale October 12, 2006 - Mt. Pleasant, TX Auctioneer: Lakin Oakley Gross Sale: $138,325 84 Lots Sold Averaging: $1,647

Annual Fall Registered Black Angus Bull Sale Mt. Pleasant, TX November 25, 2006 Auctioneer: Lakin Oakley Gross Sales: $144,800 72 Bulls Averaged: $2,011

• Sr. Yearling Bulls (17-26 mos.) - Averaged: $2,065 Top Selling Sr. Yearling Bull:
  Lot 15, "Circle C Jacob of ML W035" (15140395), sired by Bon View New Design 1407, consigned by Circle C Angus, Oolagah, OK, and purchased by Gary Cox, Lewisville, AR, for $3,800.

• Mature Bulls (32-45 mos.) - Averaged: $1,900
  Top Selling Mature Bull:
  Lot 31, "JR 1407 Elixir 159" (14508453), sired by Bon View New Design 1407, consigned by J & R Cattle Company, Tyler, TX, and purchased by Circle B Ranch, Many, LA, for $3,500.

• Jr. Yearling Bulls (12-14 mos.) - Averaged: $1,550
  Top Selling Jr. Yearling Bull:
  Lot 26, "D D A R John Boy 3260N/W1" (15084594), sired by RAB-EGL New Design 3260N, consigned by Double D Ranch, Quitman, TX, and purchased by Diamond H Ranch LP, McKinney, TX, for $1,900.

President's Corner By Bo Rogers

Dear A*L*O*T Members:

As you know, our A*L*O*T sales have done extremely well over the past few years. This is due to the hard work and dedication of your officers, board members and sales staff. We have been aided by countless volunteer hours from our members as well.

Our goal at A*L*O*T has always been to produce the most professional sale possible, to achieve the greatest price premium possible for your good Angus cattle and to keep our sale expenses down as low as possible.

We have been able to accomplish all three goals, but, as you might imagine, costs have continued to go up. Because of the explosive growth of our association and the increased numbers of animals selling in our sales we are faced with having to make a modest increase in sales expenses for the first time in years. We want to continue to produce the types of sales we have all grown accustomed to having and we are going to have to ask for your indulgence with this increase.

Starting with our February '07 bull sale the estimated cost to produce our sale will increase from 10.4% (October '06) to approximately 13.5% for February and other upcoming sales in 2007. This estimate is based on our expectation that our sales will continue to be at the same level of October '06 or greater.

This modest increase will still keep A*L*O*T sales expenses reasonable and less than many of our other sister organizations sales.

It is the hope of your officers and directors that future increases will not be necessary to keep our sale professionally managed. Please keep in mind that your officers and directors are also consigners and that we are conscious that every dollar matters to each producer. This increase cannot be avoided it we are to continue at the same level.

Please be aware that your officers and board are monitoring this situation and examining all avenues available to reduce the cost of producing our sales, but at this time, this is the best option available for our membership as a whole.

Please feel free to contact me with questions or suggestions. See you at the February sale.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your President.

Sincerely,
Bo Rogers

Bulls will be weighed at the sale facility each sale. We discussed shrinkage in cattle in the last newsletter. At the Annual meeting in October, it was determined that A*L*O*T would use a computer map program to determine distance from a farm/ranch to the sale facility in Mt. Pleasant, TX. One percent (1%) per hour (1 hr.) would be the rate of shrinkage. This method was used at the November sale and worked well so we will continue to use this method.

Shrink is the weight that cattle lose during penning, sorting, weighing, standing, transporting, held without feed or water or any change in the environment that causes stress.

To control and minimize shrinkage, use sound animal welfare practices:

1. Avoid exposing cattle to different environment as much as possible during the marketing process.

2. Take care when loading and unloading (poor temperament of cattle and/or people can be costly).

3. Avoid fasting and standing by supplying the cattle with feed and water.

4. Avoid mixing cattle whenever possible.

5. Try to ship cattle during cooler times whenever possible.

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Membership dues are now $40.00 per year.

Considerable discussion about the appropriate age to market bulls occurred during the A*L*O*T fall female sale and general membership meeting (see Minutes of Meeting). A*L*O*T has made changes to bull sale to better present the bulls to buyers by grouping the bulls by three age categories (12-17 months, 18-24 months, and over 24 months) and then ordering them according to the LSU Bull Scoring system. Because A*L*O*T has two bull sales each year (end of February and end of November) breeders will have the option of selling both spring and fall bulls as either yearlings (12-16 months) or more mature bulls (17 months and over). The decision to hold the bulls from yearlings to the older ages will depend on the costs and returns, and these will differ for spring and fall bulls due to the difference in the months between the two sales.

Bulls born from November through February will be yearlings at the February A*L*O*T bull sale. The actual cost of developing these bulls would include their market value at weaning, additional breeding cost (AI costs less natural service cost), veterinary costs (health papers, additional vaccinations, semen evaluation and any medication), additional wear and tear on facilities, management, feed and water. For example, a 600 pound weaned bull calf at the October 7th OKC market was worth roughly $700. The average AI expense for the bull (net of natural service cost) is $75, additional veterinary costs of roughly $100, feed and water costs of $400. Adding these items, the cost of the yearling is $1,275 not including wear and tear on facilities, management or additional sale expenses. Thus, this yearling presented to a buyer through the sale would have a cost value of approximately $1,700 ($1,275 plus $150 additional sales expenses, plus 10% management fee, plus 10% facilities fee). We have not factored in the cost of the DAM or the value of the genetics in the pedigree and thus for Angus bulls this is somewhat of a breakeven cost.

To hold this yearling to November (9 months) would require additional vaccinations, feed, water, management and wear and tear on facilities. Feed will be the most variable depending on pasture space, condition and the need for supplementation and will range from $250 to $600. These older bulls will certainly produce more wear and tear on facilities. Thus, the spring yearling held to the fall sale may have a cost near $2,500. So, the decision to hold the spring bull to fall would depend on whether the seller obtained a larger selling price to cost for the yearling or older bull.

The buyer may want to purchase the younger bull if his cost of holding the bull to fall is less than the increase in the price of bull in the fall. The key here is whether the buyer is willing to implement the management necessary to get the spring bull to the same condition as the bull would have at the fall sale. Because many producers either don't understand the management required to maintain a young bull's condition or are unable to achieve this level of management due to physical restrictions is often the reason many producers prefer the older bulls. Yearling, 18 month and 2 year old bulls all have limitations and special needs depending on the breeding soundness exam, current body condition, and desired longevity.

Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE) - Every bull sold at an Angus Association sale such as the A*L*O*T sale are guaranteed to be breeders. A BSE does not guarantee fertility or identify low libido, but does identify problems that impair reproductive performance. The BSE has three parts, structural soundness, reproductive soundness, and semen quality. The BSE result for a specific bull is listed as acceptable, unsatisfactory or deferred. However, many practitioners combine unsatisfactory and deferred as unsatisfactory. Structural soundness is a physical examination of general health and body condition, feet, lets, mouth and teeth. Reproductive soundness is an examination of the reproductive organs. Semen quality is a measure of motility, sperm concentration, semen volume, morphology and presence of foreign cells or compounds.

While there are standards for morphology (greater than 70% normal sperm) and motility (greater than 30 percent progressive) there are not discrete standards for the other factors. And, the variation of each factor within an acceptable BSE varies by practitioner. Most producers guarantee their bulls to be breeders. However, there are several caveats to that guarantee and these vary by producer. Such things as injuries, whether from fighting, stumbling or poor nutrition, and illness (e.g. foot rot, pink eye, anaplasmosis) that may affect the ability or desire to breed may or may not be covered.

Current body condition - Angus bulls should be performance tested to determine how their offspring may perform. Average daily gain and weight per day of age may be used along with EPDs and ultrasound information to describe performance. Young bulls just off test need to be conditioned to perform on pastures rather than the feed lot environment of the test station. Much like any young athlete they have a log of want to, energy, and potential, but like all youngsters they are being asked to perform, grow, and develop at the same time.

Older bulls have had more time to develop and harden to pasture condition. However, because customers generally prefer fat bulls over thinner bulls, breeders often place older bulls on full feed 2 or more months prior to sale date. These bulls may have too much condition to be placed immediately in a breeding environment and should be turned out with bred cows in open pastures to harden. While fat bulls are not necessarily the best breeders it is easier and less expensive to get a fat bull into breeding condition than to achieve the same condition on a thin bull.

Desired longevity - Angus bulls have been bred throughout the years for fertility and libido, they will work hard at the expense of their body. How long these bulls remain as breeders will depend on the care they are afforded. The average bull will not survive their fifth year, but well-cared for bulls may breed 10 years or longer.

Angus bulls are protective of their mates and should not be placed into a herd where other bulls already exist. When using with other bulls, all of the bulls should be held together in confinement prior to turning out.

Many publications suggest limiting the number of cows exposed to yearlings at 15-20, 20-25 for 18 month bulls, and 25-30 cows for 2 year old bulls. More important that the number of cows is the amount of space that the cows occupy. Young bulls tend to follow cows and repeatedly check the cows during the day. The larger the pasture the more the bulls will walk and the less time they will devote to grazing. I like to limit yearling bulls to 20 cows on 20 acres and remove them after 30-45 days. This helps maintain body condition and limits injuries.

Younger bulls need more care to obtain full growth and maintain breeding soundness. When selling young bulls, producers should make an extra effort to educate buyers about the management necessary to develop the bull to full potential. As a seller, you want people to see your bulls in a pasture and ask where they can purchase one similar. Thus selling young bulls requires extra effort.

1. 35 members attending.

2. President, Bo Rogers called the meeting to order and welcomed members, old and new.

3. 1st item of business was the election of officers for the new year. Ernest Shelton conducted the election.
   • Bo Rogers was nominated by Bill Stone to continue as President. Jim Crawford seconded the motion. There were no dissenting votes.

   • Gerald Franklin nominated the remaining officers by acclamation and Joe Krause seconded the motion. Again, there were no dissenting votes. Ernest Shelton will continue to serve as vice president and Learon Roberts will continue as Treasurer.

4. Randy Roden's resignation was accepted as Texas Director.

5. Bill Stone was nominated to replace Mr. Roden as a Texas Director by Jim Crawford and James Brown seconded the motion and there was no opposition.

6. A treasurer's report was given by President Bo Rogers because Treasurer Learon Roberts was on vacation and not in attendance. Briefly, expenses are as follows:
   • 4 sales-Auctioneer receives 1% each sale.
   • 4 issues of the newsletter (3 membership mailings and 1 large mailing (Winter issue).
   • 4 catalogs - Bulk mailing and First Class
   • 4 meals
   • Page in the Texas Angus Directory for 2006-2007
   • Red River Cattleman's Field Day Sponsor and Participant
   • Hosted "New Members of American Angus Association Seminar" at Mt. Pleasant in association with the American Angus Association and the Texas Angus Association. There were 40 new members in attendance. It was also noted that in the last 30 months, Texas has really grown in AAA membership with 900 new members in 2006.
   • Hosted an AHIR seminar
   • Advertising in the various state directories, newsletters, and magazines.
   • Secretary for catalogs and registrations.

Bull Sale applications were available and had been for awhile. This brought up the web site and it was also noted that Dodie O'Bryan maintains the site and how well she provides the service at little cost to us. All sales, newsletters, sale applications, and other A*L*O*T information are posted to this web site. They are available as soon as the item is completed and in a very timely manner. THANKS DODIE!

Bull Sales for 2007 were discussed. We will begin weighing the bulls at the sale. Weights at the farms will not longer be accepted. The LSU Scoring System will be used as well as the LSU Shrink Criteria. Age will be a factor also: the bulls will be grouped into the following age brackets at the sale: 12-16 months of age; 17-30 months of age; and 31-48 months of age. It was also suggested that the veterinarian put this information on the health papers and sign off on it. This will begin with the February 24, 2007 sale.

Discussion was open to the floor and the subject of a bigger sale facility was introduced. If we could find a bigger facility that offers the same type of set up (office, kitchen, under one roof, (no sale barns due to disease), pens, restrooms, auction block and pens set up, etc.) but bigger, it would be great. If a facility were found, we could entertain the idea of a move, but until such occurs, we will stay where we are.

Remember the increase in membership dues to $40.00 beginning 1 January 2007

[ Back to Index ]

Please make sure your consignments are complete when you mail them to our sales secretary. We cannot accept your consignment for the sale unless the following rules are adhered to:

1. Appropriate consignment fees and the original registration certificate for each consigned animal must accompany consignment applications. Applications received without either of these items will be returned to the member and will not be added to the priority list. Calves at the side of their dam that are not registered at the time of the beginning of the consignment period are exempt from this rule.

2. Catalog footnotes are encouraged and are the responsibility of each individual consigner. If footnotes are desired, they must accompany the consignment application.

Please make absolutely sure your sales application for all of your consignments is complete.

Thanks, Bo

[ Back to Index ]

Youth Corner

• The Junior Angus Associations met in Indianapolis, Indiana in July, 2006 for their National Jr. Angus Show, Meetings and competitions. The kids did an outstanding job in CAB Cook-off, Showmanship, Quiz Bowl, and Photography and several other contests.

• The Texas Junior Angus Association (TJAA) will host the State show on June 1st - 3rd, 2007 with the Jr Heifer show and other state contests. Location to be determined at the TJAA annual meeting on January 20, 2007, 6:30 p.m. Ft Worth Stock Show (FWSS), Barn 1, Stockman Room.

• FWSS-Jr Angus Show will be held Sunday, January 21, 2007, 1 p.m., Watt Arena

• The 2007 National Jr. Angus Show (NJAS) will be in Tulsa, Oklahoma. .July 1-7 at Expo Square. We always need to be supportive of our youth, but since the 2007 Nationals are this close to home we need to be doubly supportive!

• "The American Dream Embryo Lottery" - 1000 tickets will be sold, $100 per ticket, to support the operating expenses of the 2007 NJAS. Random drawings for 22 embryo packages will be held during the event. To learn more about the Angus youth activities visit www.njaa.info. For more information on the 2007 NJAS visit www.njas.info or contact Keith & Janet Grissom, 405-382-7678 or janet@grissomonline.com.

• The annual meeting of the Texas Angus Association will be 26 January 2007 and there will be a Silent Auction held to help support the Texas Junior Angus Association. If you have an item to donate for auction or if you can't attend, check with a board member, the TAA secretary, or another member and BID on an item. Our youth need your support!

We need your help: The question was asked: Why doesn't A*L*O*T offer a scholarship to students? A suggestion was made to offer a scholarship from A*L*O*T. If a scholarship were to be offered, the money would have to be raised by auction or sale of items such as a quilt, TV, donated Angus cattle, ultrasounds, semen, embryos, etc., and member donations. We would have to select a coordinator. If any of you are interested in A*L*O*T offering a scholarship (or not) please let the officers know of your interest and how you can help. The board will try to render a decision based on interest and willingness to help and participate in this activity which would help and promote our youth and their education. Let us hear from you! Contact a board member or sales staff.

A*L*O*T Board Meeting: The A*L*O*T Board of Directors and sales committee met Friday, November 24, 2006 at the Mt. Pleasant sales facility. Items discussed were as follows: The board met in a closed executive session concerning sales management proposal. The board discussed and voted to increase A*L*O*T membership to $40.00 effective January 1, 2007. The board also discussed the use of breeding soundness evaluation form that Mike Dicks provided for possible use in the future for all bulls that are consigned to A*L*O*T sales. No action was taken by the board on this at this time.

Items of interest: