Sara Snider
The Source
Why put off 'til tomorrow what you can do today?
Without realizing it, I have become a firm believer in the old saying, "Why put off 'til tomorrow what you can do today?" My husband, on the other hand, is a staunch supporter of the Scarlett O'Hara philosophy: "I'll think about it tomorrow because, after all, tomorrow is another day." It drives me crazy. I like to have things done in advance. That way I am not stressed or caught off guard when uncontrollable things happen.
It seems summer has finally come to stay in Saint Joseph, Mo. The warmer weather brings with it a very long "to do" list. It seems endless. Each task we check off the list is quickly replaced with three more things we noticed while we were completing the last one. And we live in town!
Growing up on a diversified farming operation, I can truly appreciate how busy you are this time of year and how long your "to do" list is. I want to make sure you don't let the marketing plans for your spring calves get pushed too far down on that list. With so much to do, it is hard to think about things that don't really affect you until this fall, but we know that when fall arrives you are busy with harvest, and working calves can sneak up on you.
Thank goodness, every once in a while slow days come along. Whether it is because you are caught up, or because of the rain you may find yourself inside with an hour or so to spare. That is a great time to plan ahead and get your calves enrolled in one of our verification programs!
Is now the best time?
For most of you, all of your calves are on the ground and ready to go out to grass. You have accurate head counts of live calves, and the information is fresh in your mind. Enrolling now means that you are sure to have your tags in time for working the calves this fall. Even if an on-site is required, enrolling in advance ensures that our staff will have time to make the herd visit well before your sale day. (Required on-sites are an example of the kind of thing I am always warning my husband about — the kind of thing that can catch you off guard and cause a lot of stress if it happens at the last minute.)
We realize that many producers wait to enroll until they have figured out where and how they are marketing their calves. We even have producers who enroll only if the buyer requests it. But, did you know that enrolling your calves in a verification program can open the door to new marketing opportunities? If there is a value-added calf sale in your area, many require enrolling in an approved program in order for you to participate. Maybe you want to try to market those calves direct off the ranch before taking them to the auction market. Our online listing site lets you advertise those calves to more than 600 potential buyers as soon as they are enrolled.
Enrolling now can save you later
Each fall we have many producers who call to enroll their calves because they plan to work them that weekend and just realized they don't have the tags. If all their records are in order, we can sure get the enrollment done — and Destron Fearing can get them manufactured quickly, but UPS delivery schedules are out of our hands. For "rush" orders the only way we can ensure producers will receive their tags on time is for them to pay for overnight shipping. And it is expensive, $0.55 per tag, with a minimum charge of $50 and a maximum charge of $135. I can assure you that AngusSource is not making money on these shipping charges. In fact, most years we barely break even.
Get started today
If you're ready to get started on the enrollment of your 2011 calf crop, we would be glad to help. If you haven't enrolled with us before, you can download the Producer Manual and Enrollment Forms at www.angussource.com by clicking on the "Enrolling for the first time" link under producer information. If you have enrolled before, you can simply send in copies of the required records. Make sure your name is on each sheet that you fax. That way your records won't end up in the "unclaimed" pile.
Once we receive your information, our staff will contact you to complete the training and calf enrollment via phone. Plan on spending about 45 minutes to complete the process. It is very helpful if you have your records and head counts pulled together ahead of time.
Once the enrollment is complete and approved, your tags will be manufactured and shipped to you within one to two business days. Once they are delivered by UPS, check to make sure the tag order is accurate, then tag the calves before they go to grass or put the box on a shelf where it will be easy to find this fall when you are ready to work calves. Once the calves are tagged, they are enrolled! Calves must be tagged prior to leaving the ranch.
You will receive an official copy of your Verification Certificate in the mail following the enrollment. Remember, you can complete a marketing document by adding vaccination, management and sale information at any time after the calves are enrolled. We can post that to the online listing site and email it to more than 600 potential buyers — free of charge!
Planning for 2012
If you want to really plan ahead, start thinking about the 2012 calf crop. The cows are probably out in breeding pastures now. It is helpful if you record the pasture breakdowns. How many cows are in each pasture with how many bulls? Make sure all of your natural service sires are properly transferred. What were the AI dates, and to what bulls did you breed? Make sure you have semen receipts available for all AI sires. Having this information recorded now, while it is fresh in your mind, will be very helpful when you get ready to enroll those calves next year.
Remember, if you purchase bred females this year you will need to get a "purchased bred female receipt" in order for those calves to be eligible for enrollment in AngusSource. The receipt will need to list the service sires of the females and be signed by the seller, who must also be the owner of the bulls. If he AIed the females or leased the service sires, we will need copies of those receipts/agreements, as well. Our office has a template receipt that you are welcome to use. If you have any questions, please call us and we will walk you through the steps.
When the sun is shining and the chores are piling up, it is hard to think about paperwork. It's hard to set aside time to do anything that doesn't have to be done right now. But that sale date this fall is the payoff for all the hard work you have put into the cow herd and this year's calf crop. Make sure you are getting the most out of those calves by taking advantage of every marketing advantage available. Enrolling in a source- and age-verification program is a great way to increase the value of your calves. Getting them enrolled now is one less thing you will have to do this fall.
May your "to do" list get shorter and the sun shine longer every day this summer!
We look forward to assisting you with the marketing of your calves.
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