Genetics that
Get It Done
continued from page 52
Utilizing a terminal crossbreeding program that produces halfblood Limousin calves has given Meyer Ranch more pounds to sell due to better yield grades . As well , it opened a whole world of opportunities in the natural product and age- and source-verified markets and gave them access to a veal and a grass-fed market . Photo courtesy of Strauss Brands .
SELECT BRED HEIFERS FOR SALE PRIVATE TREATY THIS FALL
42ND ANNUAL
Muscle Up For Profit Sale FEBRUARY 24 , 2022
Your call or visit is always welcome !
Symens
SYES
Brothers Your Guarantee of Predictable Genetics
P . O . Box 155 • Amherst , South Dakota 57421 John : 605 / 880-8061 • Warren : 605 / 237-2127 Office : 605 / 448-2624 • Fax : 605 / 448-5786 • jssymens @ venturecomm . net Check Symens Bros Limousin on f for current information .
buyers can expect from their cattle . For example , the last 200 head they fed averaged 64 % yield , with 41 grading Prime and 159 grading Choice with no Selects . Also , the Meyers tend to work with the same companies year after year , which builds mutual trust .
For example , their relationship with Strauss Brands , which buys Meyer cattle for both their veal and grass-fed lines , has grown to the point where they just ship the cattle sight unseen directly to the processing facilities . Strauss knows what they are getting in these halfblood Limousin cattle and the Meyer family knows what to expect in return .
“ They pay you the same for bull calves as they do heifers ,” Dave explains . “ They want absolutely nothing given to them and they pick them up at your place . And they want at least half Limousin in the calves . They ’ ve tried them all but tell me they like the Limousin cross the best . It didn ’ t take us long to figure out it ’ s a lot easier selling these calves right off the cow and not having to touch them . That ’ s another thing that helps us cut down on labor and help is always an issue for ranchers , no matter where you are in the country .”
Meyer believes in the next 10 years more producers will get on board with the natural and hormone-free opportunities . And it ’ s probably a safe bet the fourth generation of Meyer family ranches will be part of it , considering there are 15 ( and counting ) grandchildren . From the looks of it , Limousin will also continue to be part of the family legacy for a long time .
“ I just feel with Limousin we ’ ve had tremendous results with grading and yielding , so we try to keep our calves at that 50 percent level ,” Dave says . “ I just , can ’ t say enough about Limousin .”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR : Sharla Ishmael is a veteran agricultural writer from Benbrook , Texas .
54 • OCTOBER 2021