Letter to Enrique

ED NOTE: In this Viewpoint, a Texas farmer writes to NADA’s Bill Roberts for advice on how to transform his small farm into a Devon operation. Enrique Garcia’s letter follows; Roberts’ response is after that.

Dear Mr. Roberts

We have not met before. I am young husband and father raising my family on a 25 acre farm in East Texas where raising livestock became my second 'career' by choice several years ago. I am very green when it comes to farming - but I pray I have hope, desire, and patience to see it through. I write in a blind leap of faith to kindly ask for any advice you may offer regarding the first steps I am taking toward achieving our family farm goal of raising solid all-natural grass-fed cattle and/or beef on our farm. I have summarized, below, what I have done over the last several years to work toward me goal...and more importantly, my current plans. I am just starting the quest of learning about this challenge and have recently read blog articles by yourselves as well as one of Mr. Fry's books and other books by grass-fed proponents and leaders in our country. I would be blessed to know your thoughts on my current plans given your background, experience, and learning’s regarding the Devon herd and raising grass-fed livestock.

2005
We acquired the 25-acre farm that had previously served as horse pasture for 26 years
Pasture advantages: moisture (occasional flood plain and rain); very wide variety of summer grasses / legumes / weeds
Pasture disadvantages: solid presence of weeds (though not overwhelming), no previous rotation program (over grazing), no fertilizing program

2006
I cross-fenced; started rotational grazing (3 pastures, 15-30 days per pasture) with stockers
I purchased first set of 6-month old stockers at barn sale (random set of mixed breeds) with aim of selling them at 18-months
I lost a few head to unknown causes; suspect deaths caused by weeds or worms or no vaccinations or lack of minerals
I sold herd at sale barn at 18-months with poor gain results

2007
I continued rotational stocker program; pasture showing signs of some improvement
I purchased second set of 6-month old stockers via private treaty (good quality, tame, calm, Brangus bull calves)
After losing one more head, I introduced vaccinations, worming (use of Shaklee and injections), and minerals (blocks and liquid molasses); no more calves were lost
I sold herd at sale barn at 18-months with excellent gain results (average 1.7 lbs/day on grass, no winter feed, bull calves looked like pregnant hogs)
I reviewed a short-list of breeds that I was aiming to purchase to build a grass-fed cow-calf operation and settled on devons IF i could located them

2008
I purchased a 3rd set of 6-month old stockers via private treaty (good quality, tame, calm, Brangus bull calves)
This 3rd set should be my last, as I am ready to locate and purchase starter set of cows for a grass-fed cow-calf operation
I contacted NADA, spoke with several Devon owners
I located the Cam and Deb Manahans (Five M farm) in Texas; they are presently transferring 20+ single & double bred Rotokawa (and other) embryos into foster cows

In 3Q08, I plan to purchase 5-12 of these cows to develop a Devon herd and a cow-calf operation with these embryos...to raise seed stock and/or grass fed beef

In preparation for receiving this herd of foster cows, I am considering
1) conducting a soil test to determine if liming is necessary and any other deficiencies
2) starting a limited fertilizing program to slowly improve soil (3 applications of fish/seaweed fertilizer per year)
3) additional cross-fencing (increase from 3x8ac pastures to 9x2.5ac pastures to allow more intensive rotation program)

After the Devon calves are born, I am planning to:
Year 1/2: raise the bull calves to 18 months, evaluate and pick the best for a herd sire; raise females as herd cows and breed to chosen sire at 12-18 months
Year 2/3: raise new bull calves to 18 months; evaluate and replace herd bull if adequate; evaluate new heifers and cull heifers/cows to maintain best cow herd possible

I have not consulted anyone other than my dear father, who has been very helpful and, in fact, gently pointed me at the Devon breed and the concepts supported by you. Once again, any words of advice you may offer would be great.
I am only now starting, but if there is anything I can offer the association, I would be honored to help.

Enrique M. Garcia, II

Bill Roberts’ Response

Dear Enrique:

Thank you for your wonderful letter and opportunity to learn of your plans and operation. I trust our Editor will publish your letter to show our readers a modern day example of how faith, planning, hard work and critical analysis based on results can build something wonderful. You are to be congratulated.

Gearld Fry is quite consumed these days and may not be able to respond. It would be my pleasure and honor to offer some comments based on my study and experience. Perhaps Gearld will be able to share of his wisdom at another time.

Our family has had the joy of stewarding land in 10 different states in the course of our career. However, we find we are constantly learning new things and changing old paradigms. From my reference point, your plan to lime and fertilize with fish/seaweed fertilizer is a very sound program. It is also reasonably economical. We have built our soils in our current operation by liming, deep root management, mulching, incorporation of legumes and the very best balanced mineral fed to the cattle and to the soil through the cattle via their waste. We are adding fish/seaweed fertilizer as our numbers increase and requirements for tonnage of roughage per acre increases.

We save money on soil sampling and instead spend it on forage sampling. By sampling forage at different times throughout the year, we know the scope and quantity of nutrients that are directly available to the cattle at that given time frame. Then we can assess the needs for mineral balance and addition of forage blends to the sward to optimize growth for the cattle throughout the year. Each year we strive for incremental improvement in soil, forage and cattle.

Your plan looks like a form of mob grazing will be in effect. We have not done that due to the nature of our off-farm responsibilities. We rotational graze but in larger cells for two to four week periods. We increase the diversity and density of our swards by no-till drilling or broadcasting desired seed blends at appropriate times of the year. Keeping the turf intact builds a resilient turf and does not destroy the beneficial blend of forbs developed over time. Liming limits unwanted forbs that are acid loving. We only disc or plow in “extreme makeover situations” where we are reclaiming waste ground or former crop ground.

I would encourage you to experiment with different grasses and legume mixes to find what works best for you. Match the forage to your management capacity. For example, we are gone from the farm a good deal of the time. Therefore, we do not promote white clover or other forages that tend to increase bloat sensitivity. We stick with Fescue, Orchard Grass and Red Clover for cool season grasses and some Bermuda and Indian grass for warm season. Over-seeding with Annual Rye in September stretches our green growing grass through much of Tennessee’s mild winters. February and March are our toughest months to manage for. We supplement hay and all natural protein (canola and flax seed) during these months.

I applaud you in your selection of Red Devon cattle as the breed to establish on your farm. I like your dad already! I have dealt with most British and Continental breeds of cattle. Red Devon have exceeded our high expectations of producing tasty, tender beef from grass with docile cattle that are easy to work and live with. That is not to say that there are other British breeds that do a fantastic job as well. I am stuck on Red Devon for the following reasons:
1) I like their looks and color.
2) They are in short supply and high demand so they are profitable with multiple marketing options.
3) We have had 100% unassisted calving in almost 5 years
4) They are the smartest and most tractable cattle I have ever worked with.
5) They stay fat as a tick with a minimum amount of forage.
6) The bulls pose no threat to local pedestrians.
7) Most of the people who own them are purists and committed to doing the right thing.

As I look at your management expectations, I notice a couple of points to consider:
1) Your increase in number of cells is wise. However, going from a stocker to a cow/calf operation will significantly increase your need for cells due to the increase in separate classes of cattle. You will need rotation cycles for; cows, growing cattle, bulls at bare minimum. I encourage you to consider leased ground if you find the need and put your adult cattle on the less improved forages. The growing cattle need the best forage.
2) You mentioned breeding heifers at 12 to 18 months. Our best success in keeping a first calf heifer in adequate flesh to breed back on schedule has been by breeding them at a minimum of 20 months. 22 to 24 months is better. I do breed at 17 to 18 months some times rather than wait another season. However, it takes the very best grass to keep the younger freshened heifer in flesh while she lactates and grows at the same time.
3) Our experience on our soils and grasses has been 20 to 22 months to finish a steer for harvest. Gavin Hunter in the UK has found he can finish intact bulls in 18 months but it takes another 6 months if he has castrated the bulls. Your own experience will tell the story for your operation. But do not be surprised if it takes a little longer than you expect, especially until you build your soils and swards.

Thank you for the opportunity to share some of my learning. The goal of us older folks should be to help you younger folks go farther and higher and faster and more profitably than we did.

Sincerely,

Bill Roberts

ED Note: Since the above exchange, Enrique Garcia has joined NADA. If, after reading the above exchange, you’d like to offer your advice and help, please write nada@hughes.net.