  BeefTalk:
Generational Differences Exist, Attention to the Basics Is Lesson Learned
By Kris Ringwall, Extension Beef Specialist,
NDSU Extension Service
As we shared Sunday brunch with the folks (by now, properly called
grandparents), the conversation came around to cattle.
"The beef industry is really on the good side of the equation right
now," I said to Dad, hoping it would spark some words of wisdom. "That’s
right, son, but staying there is another matter," he responded in his usual
succinct style.
"Dad, did you ever wonder what managerial decision could lock in
everything that you needed to be successful?" I asked, almost rhetorically.
For beef cattle producers, that is the dilemma we all face. Every operation
has to ask that question and hope the answer is forthcoming. Generally, the
answer remains evasive but it is important to ask the question. (I suspect Dad
knows the answer, but he’s not talking.)
At the North Dakota State University Dickinson Research Extension Center,
such questions are the essence of our existence. Should we focus attention on
lowering cow production costs or increasing the value of the product sold ( the
calf, cull cow, slaughter bulls or bred stock)? The obvious answer is to
continuously evaluate both sides of the equation.
This kind of response, however, is easier said than accomplished.
Understanding the tools currently available to producers is as challenging as
developing new tools.
Last week, I talked about calving death loss at the center. This year has the
potential of being one of our worst calving years, while other producers say
this has been a relatively good year with very few losses. Thus the problem is
even worse when there are few comrades to share in your sorrow.
"What worked and what didn’t work?" Dad asked. "Too often we
change because it worked for somebody else. But ask yourself, will it be good in
your management style and in your operation?"
Over the years (going back to grandparents and great grandparents), when a
producer has bad luck, the reaction is to initiate a quest for a most certain
ogre that can be eliminated with an appropriate injection from the local
veterinarian. Often that injection is the solution. But just as often the ogre
is never really found, leaving the producer to wonder about long- and
short-range ramifications.
Those same concerns were around when Dad chose agricultural production as his
career in life.
A look at the 1948 "Farmer’s Handbook," published by the
University of Oklahoma Press when Mom and Dad were dating, prescribed nature’s
tonics, exercise, sunshine, pure air, abundance of fresh water and a variety of
feeds for preventing most beef production problems.
"That worked for us then, and it should work now," Dad said.
History has shown that, despite our reluctance to accept these simple
remedies, once given a good dose of each, the problem seldom occurs again.
"And if the problem does repeat itself," Dad interjected, "a
second dose will surely fix all."
"The lab reports indicated that additional tests would be needed to
isolate the bacterial agent involved," I responded with my best scientific
voice and look.
"Son, could you please pass the butter?" dad responded, holding the
bread in his hand as we enjoyed the moment and the discussion. And then he
peered over the top of his glasses, "Just know where you have been and
where you are going--and be careful along the way. That will eliminate a lot of
situations that can create problems," he concluded.
As we parted company, I realized the answer to the future has nothing to do
with the cattle cycle, but rather ... Well, I will let you figure it out. And in
the process, enjoy a Sunday brunch with family or friends as all of us in the
beef business work to stay on the correct side of the equation.
May you find all your ear tags.
Your comments are always welcome at www.BeefTalk.com
For more information, contact the North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement
Association, 1133 State Avenue, Dickinson, ND 58601 or go to www.CHAPS2000.COM
on the Internet. In correspondence about this column, refer to BT0042.
###
Source: Kris Ringwall, (701) 483-2045, kringwal@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu
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