BIF-Proceedings-Final-flip

16 COMMERCIAL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES Auburn Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center Owner: Auburn University Manager: Malcomb Pegues Fairhope, Alabama The Auburn University Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center (GCREC) is located in Fairhope, Ala., about one mile east of Mobile Bay and approximately 30 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico. It is one of the original five research centers of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station system, established in 1929-30. The climate is mild, with an average of 67 inches of annual rainfall. The center represents an 800-acre diversified operation, including beef cattle, row crops, small fruits and pecans. The Simmental- and Angus-cross herd maintains about 85 mature cows and 30 replacement heifers, operating with a 75-day fall calving season from mid-September to November. The climate enables the GCREC to provide forages for cattle approximately 320 days a year. Cattle are integrated into the row crop operation by planting annual ryegrass behind summer crops. This ability to grow forages determines the genetic focus of the herd by allowing high emphasis on maternal milk and growth. The GCREC has been an active participant in the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association (BCIA) Commercial Record Keeping Program for the past 25 years and has earned numerous top weaning weight and Gold Star Cow awards. Calf and individual cow performance data is the baseline to continually evaluate herd productivity. Internet- based recordkeeping of individual animal production and health treatments is an integral management tool at the GCREC. The center is active in demonstrations of estrus synchronization and fixed-time artificial insemination, and is currently engaged in research for biomarkers of infertility in beef heifers. The Auburn Gulf Coast Research and Extension Center is proudly nominated by the Alabama Beef Cattle Improvement Association. Hansen Family Ranches Owners: Circle Ranches – Ed & Marilyn Hansen; Lone Pine Livestock – Carl & Debbie Hansen; Quarter Circle Lazy H Ranch – Chris & Janeth Hansen; D Dart Ranch – Cheri & Scott Dent Manager: Hansen Family Livermore, Colorado The Hansen Family, from Livermore, Colo., is a fifth- generation family ranch originally purchased in 1940 by Sam and Castor Hansen, father and grandfather of Ed Hansen and grandfather and great-grandfather of Carl, Cheri and Chris. The ranch headquarters have been located in Livermore since 1940. In 1994, the Hansen family acquired a summer ranch in Grover, Colo., replacing summer forest permits. The Grover Ranch consists of approximately 15,000 acres and provides reliable pasture and more flexible management. Currently, the herd consists of 250 Angus cattle. A few years ago, due to extreme drought, the family was forced to reduce one-third of the herd. They raise grass hay – 700-800 tons – to use for winter feed and sell for supplemental income. They also raise replacement heifers. The calving season runs from Jan. 15 to March 15. What makes the Hansens unique is that they utilize a 100-percent AI breeding program. They raise their own clean-up bulls and purchase high-quality bulls, which they collect semen from and then use for inseminating the herd. This allows them to spread bull costs over more cows, and, consequently, pay a higher dollar for quality sires. The cow herd spends from June 1 through Oct. 15 at the Grover Ranch, where calves are sold and shipped. The cows spend the balance of the year at the home ranch in Livermore for calving and breeding. There are three generations involved in showing livestock at various expositions throughout the state. The Colorado Cattlemen’s Association is proud to nominate Hansen Family Ranches.