Real-world Adaptation
Panelists share priorities for selecting seedstock to fit varying environments.
by Raney Lovorn, Angus Journal® intern
BILOXI, Miss. (June 9, 2015) — A panel of successful ranchers from a diverse set of operations discussed the importance of adaptability in cattle. Moderated by Trent Smith, panelists John Raftopoulos, Ron Melancon and Jimmy Holliman spoke from personal experience during the 2015 Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Annual Convention in Biloxi, Miss., June 9-12.
John Raftopoulos of Diamond Peak Cattle Co., Craig, Colo., ranches in the high-desert country of western Colorado. Owning about 3,000 cows, the Seedstock Producer of the Year nominee specializes in breeding cattle that are equipped to handle high altitudes and are resistant to high-mountain disease.
Ron Melancon of MG Farms has ranched at Woodville, Miss., for close to 25 years and owns around 800 head of American-cross animals. His operation is family-centered and produces cattle suited for the heat and humidity of his region.
Jimmy Holliman, a previous BIF president, is a Mississippi native with a purebred seedstock operation raising Simmental cattle at Auburn’s Blackbelt Research and Extension Center, Marion Junction, Ala. Holliman ranches on land with high levels of fescue, and his cattle need a higher tolerance to endophyte in order to thrive.
When selecting bulls to fit their diverse environmental challenges, panelists John Raftopoulos, Ron Melancon and Jimmy Holliman offered different solutions based on varying experiences.
When facing the challenge of getting first-calf heifers to quickly rebreed and have their second calf, the panel had a variety of different responses.
Melancon’s solution was to ensure his heifers reached their mature size prior to calving in order to avoid the stress of growing, milking and maintaining body condition all at the same time. Holliman agreed nutrition and helping heifers reach mature size is a key to getting heifers to rebreed.
Raftopoulos advised producers to leave heifers on grass a little longer and keep their body condition score (BCS) a little lower in order to give them the time they need to grow and increase their fertility.
When selecting bulls to fit their diverse environmental challenges, the panelists again offered different solutions.
Holliman selects bulls to use by artificial insemination (AI) primarily by word of mouth because there is little information on the individual bull’s heat tolerance or hair coat. When not using AI, he relies primarily on bulls from within his own herd.
Raftopoulos relies heavily on bulls that have been through a pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) test in order to maintain his herd’s ability to thrive in high altitudes.
The panel offered solutions to problems facing cattlemen all over the country using their own personal experience. Their general consensus was that each herd had different environmental issues and adapted to them in vastly different ways through trial and error.
The 2015 BIF Annual Convention was hosted by Mississippi State University and the Mississippi Extension Service June 9-12 at the Beau Rivage Casino and Hotel in Biloxi. The Angus Journal and LiveAuctions.tv provide comprehensive online coverage of the event at www.BIFconference.com. Visit the Newsroom for summaries, proceedings, PowerPoints and audio of the sessions; the Awards page for announcements of award winners; and the Photos page for photo galleries of the tour stops.
Editor’s Note: This summary was written under contract or by staff of the Angus Journal®. Through an agreement with the Beef Improvement Federation, we are encouraging reprinting of the articles to those who will adhere to the reprint guidelines available on this site. Please review those guidelines or contact Shauna Rose Hermel, editor, at 816-383-5270. PowerPoints are posted with permission of the presenter and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express permission of the presenter.
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