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R.A. Brown Ranch
Dear Friends,
What an amazing year it has been with much better rainfall and growing conditions in so many areas and all of us
being able to enjoy selling our calves at the highest prices in history. We are at an entirely new higher trading range for cattle
prices and even though the market has softened recently, we are still selling cattle in the second best market in history.
We are honored to bring you this great set of cattle. This is the most amazing set of bulls we have ever sold. Now
is the time to invest in top quality bulls because of the tremendous added value that these bulls can produce through your
next calf crop. Thanks to VALUE BASED MARKETING now you can realize more and more added value to your calves
through extra performance and better quality. Last month we sold a load of fed steers and heifers that averaged 49% prime
and earned $426 / hd in premiums (see more on page 30) I agree with my friend Mark Gardiner that calls it pounds in the
right package & that a pound of gold is worth a lot more than a pound of lead.
One interesting point is that we all love selling our calves at these wonderful prices, but the cost of bulls has
increased with it. As a result, some people are making the mistake of skimping on one of the best investments that can add
value to every calf they produce. Bulls can produce 125 to 250 calves in their lifetime depending on if you use them in one
breeding season per year or in two. But skimping on bulls is like skimping on deodorant. Try putting deodorant under just
one arm and see how you come out smelling at the end of the day. Making wise investments that are relative to the value of
the calves we are all selling is a wise investment.
I am a professional seedstock producer and my job and my livelihood are dependent on my ability to produce bulls
and females that will increase the value of your herd. The Dictionary defines PROFESIONAL as “following an occupation
as a means of livelihood.” Unlike many in the seedstock business, raising top quality genetics is our profession and this
has been our passion for five generations. With all of the tools available to us in the business today – I am confident that
we are making faster progress than ever before. Some of these tools we use today include AI, Embryo Transfer, Invitro
Fertilization, Ultrasound, DNA testing (page 15), Selection Indexes and Star Ratings (page 14), Feed Efficiency Testing,
Carcass testing, Feet Scoring, Teat & Udder Scoring, Docility Scoring and more. The rate of progress that we are making
is amazing. But raising top quality bulls is about more than just having the tools and implementing a few of them. It is
about understanding and knowing genetics, commercial cattle production, breed differences, adapting cattle to fit your
environment, increasing reproductive efficiency and longevity and using all of these tools. Our family is committed to use
all of these to accomplish our #1 Goal: “Improve the profitability and sustainability of our commercial customers.”
We are thankful to have Greg Comstock on our team to help us with customer service and he has put together 800
outstanding commercial bred heifers for you this year from some of our top customers (page 31). They will sell about 11
am between the black bulls and red bulls. Following the bulls we are selling about 80 registered females including several
top donor cows that can take your herd to the next level.
We look forward to seeing you here at the sale where you can enjoy some excellent food and visit with lots of great
cattlemen and friends. Come join us. It is our honor to serve you.
Sincerely,
Donnell Brown
Donnell & Kelli Brown and the entire R.A. Brown Ranch Family
The Heritage Sale...
