overview - uf/ifasanimal.ifas.ufl.edu/beef_extension/bcsc/2018/ppt/richardson.pdf · cattle • one...

Overview

• Diversified agricultural operationo Primarily cow-calf

• Established in 1950o Long-time Central Florida

landowner

• Owned by Farmland Reserve, Inc., affiliated with LDS Churcho Deseret Ranches of Florida

o Deseret Cattle & Citrus

Location

• 295,000 acreso A county-sized piece of

property

• Located in Osceola, Orange, and Brevard countieso Between Orlando and the

Space Coast

• Borders the St. Johns River

History

• Why Florida?

• Late 1940so Church looking for ag

property

o Henry D. Moyle, Heber Meeks on assignment

• Purchased 1950-52o Cut-over timber ground

o Few homes, roads

• Began improvemento Decades-long project

• Started cow herd and breeding

History

• Why Ranches?o Church has a long history of

industry

o Church emphasizes self reliance for itself and its members

o Ranches support Church’s mission and worldwide humanitarian efforts

Mission

• Why Ranches?

“We have felt that good farms, over a long period, represent a safe investment where the assets of the Church may be preserved and enhanced, while at the same time they are available as an agricultural resource to feed peopleshould there come a time of need.”

– Gordon B. Hinckley

Current Operations

Cattle

• One of the premier US cow/calf operationso First step in beef supply chain

o Low-intensity grazing

• Approx. 7 acres per pair

• Productiono 42,000 cows

o 35,000 calves weaned

• Approx. 500 pounds each

o 4,800 replacement heifers

o 1,300 bulls

Current Operations

Cattle

• 60 years of cattle developmento Selected for adaptability,

production efficiency, and marketability

• Three breed rotational crosso Brangus, Simbrah, Deseret

Red

• 14 operational unitso Approx. 3500 cows,

20,000 acres each

Current Operations

Cattle

• What’s unique? o Scale

o Efficiency

o Process controls

o Closed herd

o Genetics

Current Operations Cattle

• Approx. 40 cowboys and foremen

• Cowboyso Each cowboy in charge of

approx. 1200 cows

o Use traditional techniques and latest technology

o Still work on horseback

o Manage cattle, rotate herds, mend fences, care for horses, manage pastures

Current Operations

Citrus

• 400 acres o Mostly juice varieties

• Precision irrigation

• Industry faces challenges

Current Operations Other

• Row crops

• Harvest palm and timber

• Grow sod

• Mine shell deposits

Community

• 80 employeeso Cowboys, mechanics,

equipment operators, agronomists, accountants…

o Some are third-generation

• Most live on rancho Great place to raise a family

• Value placed on community and tradition

Environment

• Over 60 years of environmental stewardshipo Work with natural resources

every day

o Livelihood depends on it

• Implement a multiple-use philosophy

• Manage natural resources in a sustainable manner

Environment

• Integrated wildlife management programo Game and non-game species

o Wildlife biologist on staff

• Focal species and habitato Wood Stork Rookery

o Jug Island Reservoir

o East Point Reservoir

Water Resources

• Decades-long focus on water quality, quantityo Millions of gallons taken

from the Ranch each day

• Qualityo Stormwater treatment

reservoirs

o Best management practices

• Quantityo Donated Taylor Creek

Reservoir easements

o Efficient irrigation

o Conservation measures

Future

• We will keep ranching for generations to come

• We are planning for the futureo Agriculture

o Environment

o Water

o Land use

o Transportation

• Our future is tied to that of the region

Cattle Production

Area of Focus Adaptability- Cows

that fit the environment where they live.

Efficiency- at all stages of production.

Marketability-Meeting consumer

expectations

Breeding System Impact

Appropriate breeds and heterosis are primary factors in adaptability.

Heterosis and breed complementarity improve efficiency.

Breed complementarity improves marketability.

Traits Selected for:

Birth Weight Residual Feed Intake

Post Weaning Gain

Marbling Tenderness

Cull Poor Performers:

Frame Milk Production

Weaning Weight Scrotal

Circumference

Rib-eye Area Fat

Genetic Strategy

• Three breed rotation: Brangus, Simbrah, Deseret Red (South Devon, Red Poll, Brahman)

• Angus Calving Ease and Terminal Sires

• Seedstock Program

– Elite herds in each breed

– Multipliers

Breeding System

Seedstock System

Efficiency

• ADG

• Residual Feed Intake

Residual Feed Intake

Efficiency

• ADG

• Residual Feed Intake

Marketability

• Primary Selection:

– Marbling*

– Tenderness*

– Rib eye area

– Fat

Progeny Data

EPDs

• Livestock Genetic Services

– Database

– Genetic Evaluation

• Single Step methodology used to incorporate genomic information

• Economic Model

• Maternal

– Considers all three areas of focus

• Adaptability

• Efficiency

• Marketability

• Terminal

– Focus on Efficiency and Marketability

Selection Index

Heifer Development

Profitability

Cause and Affect

Manage Grass and Cattle

Thank you.DESERET RANCHES OF FLORIDA