CALF_News_June_July_2021

16 CALF News • June | July 2021 • www.calfnews.net MID-KANSAS FARMER-FEEDER LIKES BENEFITS FROM BEEF MARKETING GROUP Zimm’s Feedlot in Sterling, Kan., has a 3,600-head feeding capacity. It may be small compared to larger commercial yards, but it enjoys advanced production and marketing systems as part of the Beef Marketing Group. It is one of 16 Beef Marketing Group (BMG) member feedyards. Todd Zimmerman, head of the family-owned, central Kansas farmer-feeding operation, sees many of his finished cattle go to the Braveheart brand. “Two days a week we typically send cattle to Tyson in Holcomb and the Braveheart program,” he says. We appreciate the value we receive by marketing our cattle with BMG.” Zimmerman grew up on the 4,500-acre farm and cattle operation. He started helping his dad fulltime in 1985. “I did most of the farming and he ran the feedyard,” Zimmerman says. “When he died in 1998, I started handling both. About 85 percent of the cattle are custom fed, with many from ranches taking part in the BMG produc- tion program.” The farm’s corn, soybean, wheat and rye grass service the feedyard. “We run a dry-roll feeding system,” Zimmerman says, adding that a neighboring ethanol plant provides distiller’s grains for part of the feeding rations. “We’re able to place some calves go onto rye pasture before going on feed to bal- ance the finishing process.” John Butler, BMG’s CEO, says many ranchers across the Kansas/Nebraska BMG region retain ownership. “They see potential for a better premium in the end,” he says. Butler doesn’t favor movements for government involved mandatory negotiated cash trade. “One of our industry’s strengths is we’re based on free enterprise,” he says. “We’re focused on understanding the value of the carcass. We receive premiums for higher quality cattle, and get discounted for lower quality cattle. “If we get into a government-controlled mandatory cash market, it could take away much of the progress we have made. It could change our overall behavior.” Zimmerman agrees. “The BMG program makes me strive to do better to provide what the consumer wants,” he says. “Mandatory negotiated cash trade could hurt our pricing opportunities.”  humane care and handling of the animals was near the top of the list. Healthy husbandry is a no-brainer for producers, but consumers want assur- ance. Butler says BMG must stand behind the product they are producing and that the cooperative must continu- ously work to gain consumer trust. This requires a commitment to transparency and a willingness to answer questions about the care and handling of the animals as well as the origin of beef they purchase. He says the Progressive Beef certification is critical in this effort. “PFG was looking for a partner that could supply a consistent source of cattle to meet the growing demands of the Braveheart brand,” he says. “BMG’s com- mitment to Progressive Beef allows for a shared vision that creates transparency for our customers. There are annual, third-party Progressive Beef audits to verify we’re doing what we say we’re doing when it comes to caring for cattle.” One specific demand from PFG was a smaller muscle to meet customer demand, particularly food service, for a smaller ribeye.“We needed to feed more heifers,” Butler says.“We asked Tyson to disassemble and fabricate the Braveheart- selected carcasses. That works for them because we are creating value, and PFG paid for the cost of the extra work. BMG’s role is to consistently supply the cattle.” Cattle Management BMG relies on multiple sources of feeder cattle to be able to provide the con- sistent supply of harvest-ready cattle for the Braveheart program. Sources include ranchers, stockers and cattle available thru sale barns and video auctions. “We need a variety of options to help us maintain a consistent supply of cattle for our feedyards,” Butler says. “In some cases, we will grow cattle and stage them for feeding. The logistics required to supply cattle 52 weeks a year are significant. Not only do we need to be sensitive to markets, but we need to stage feeders into our yards by using grass, rye and wheat growing facilities, allowing for a more constant supply coming into the yards.” BEEF MARKETING GROUP Continued from page 13 With immediate access to corn, distiller’s grains and other feedstuffs, Zimm’s Feedlot cattle are finished to perfection for Progressive Beef.