Aubrac Cattle of North America

Grassfed, Organic Meats Continue To Gain Market Share

By CHARLENE M. SHUPP ESPENSHADE

GRANTVILLE, Pa. -- Pennsylvania is a state where country meets city. With more than 12.5 million people, opportunities abound for the state's producers to meet the diverse needs of its residents. One of those opportunities is grassfed beef.

Pennsylvania Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff kicked off the 2007 National Grassfed Beef Conference last week at the Holiday Inn, Grantville.

Wolff spoke to the several hundred attendees about sharing the opportunities farmers have to impact their bottom line, including raising grassfed beef and direct marketing.

Programs such as Pennsylvania Preferred, a local food labeling program, have been successful because consumers want to know where their food comes from. "Value added is something we hear all the time," Wolff said. "Grassfed has a lot of appeal to consumers."

One reason is they like that the cattle are out on pasture. For beef producers, Wolff noted its value is a reduced dependence on grains to finish the cattle.
During the panel discussion on targeting customers for the grassfed beef market, Allen Williams of Tallgrass, a grassfed beef marketing company, and Angela Pridie, Organic Grassfed Beef Coalition, Vermillion, S.D., shared consumer trends for the grassfed and organic beef markets.

Williams shared information from a survey conducted by the American Meat Institute (AMI) on consumer preferences for meat products. The 2007 spring survey noted that 70 percent of consumers still purchase meat products from a grocery store compared to other outlets such as "super centers." In the meat department, 21 percent have purchased natural or organic meats in the past three months. The group purchasing these products was the 25 to 39 year-old age bracket.

Pridie said her organization's studies show that the majority purchasing grassfed beef are women who are younger, highly educated and more affluent.
Williams said the youthfulness of the group purchasing natural and organic meats was good for the grassfed beef industry, citing that this group will lead to future growth because they will influence their children's food choices. The driving force for the purchases was health, animal welfare and better taste.

The limitation many cited was price of organic beef. If the price was lower, consumers would be willing to purchase more organic and natural products.
Williams believes this would not be as limiting if better marketing was available in the grocery store for grassfed beef. Consumers do not understand why it is priced differently from conventionally raised beef. His company, when beginning a partnership, will work with grocery stores and restaurants on how to market and prepare the beef.

Customers, Williams said, want more variety and consistency in their products. In addition, suggestions for the meat counter in the AMI study included better pricing, more sales, smaller portion sizes and better quality without deception.
"They (the consumers) are still feeling they are being deceived in the terms of how these protein and meat products are being represented in the meat case and the attributes that they do and do not have," said Williams.

The demand for higher quality beef is going to rise in all sectors, Williams said, including the export markets.

Williams questioned the federal government's position on a cheap food policy. For 2007, U.S. consumers are spending 46 percent of their food dollar away from home and this will continue to rise. By 2010, it will be 53 percent.
"For the past three decades, USDA has had a ?cheap food' policy. But, the consumers are saying we don't necessarily want cheap food. It is not cheap to eat out," he said. "The consumer is looking for more than cheap products, they are looking for attributes or an experience or something like that."

Williams said the beef industry is in the era of "story foods" ? the consumer wants certain attributes in addition to the cut of meat they are buying. "We have to have a story attached to the product," he said.

Those wants could range from hormone- and antibiotic-free and animal welfare issues to organic and source verification.

Is there a future for natural fed and organic beef? Williams said the sector will continue to grow.

Studies by several organizations including Colorado State University and Auburn University showed a taste test preference for about 25 percent for grassfed beef. On average, about half of the respondents had no preference.
"Their choice in whether they buy grassfed or grainfed beef is going to be predicated on the other attributes you are going to sell on," Williams said.

In 2006, there were about 2,000 grassfed beef producers, which raised between 45,000 and 50,000 head of cattle, resulting in more than $90 million in beef retail sales.

The next hurdle for the grassfed beef industry Williams predicts will be meeting the demand for convenience food. Surveys by supermarkets show that will be the area of expansion for their retail area to meet consumer demand. "We have got to be on that train," Williams said.

Pridie said her office receives calls from women regularly saying they would purchase more organic beef if it was in small portions, precooked and preseasoned.

While the industry has great potential, Williams said the industry needs to go slowly to avoid low quality products making it to the marketplace. "Its going to grow slow, there is no way to have a rapid increase or what you are going to do is dump a lot of low quality product on the market and that will severely limit your ability to market it in the future," Williams said.

According to Williams, the grassfed industry needs to continue to grow beyond the farm gate to reach the retail outlets and restaurants with economy of scale and strong infrastructure and be able to market grassfed beef year round.

2nd National Aubrac Sale
April 8, 2008
Pleasant Dale, Neb.

21 bulls averaged $2,642
6 open heifers averaged $2,275
5 bred heifers averaged $3,290
11 bred cows and pairs averaged $1,973
Total 43 lots averaged: 2,503

A good crowd and a quality set of cattle was on hand for the second-annual National Aubrac sale, a reflection of the growing interest in the forage efficiency of this great breed of cattle.
Notably, of the 43 lots sold, 31 head were purchased by producers who had entered the Aubrac business in either 2007 or 2008.
While the breed has been developing gradually in the United States and Canada for many years, high corn and energy prices have prompted progressive cattle producers to take a closer look at these forage-efficient cattle.
The nine consignors in this sale represented top programs from Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana and Nebraska. Buyers traveled from as far away as Alabama, Idaho, Illinois and Canada to attend the event, which was hosted by long-time cattle breeders Del and Brenda Ficke of Ficke Cattle Company, along with their parents, Kenneth and Bev and family.

Top-selling bulls:

$8,000 -- HUNT Prairie Fire A87P, a black, scurred 75% Aubrac bull born March 2004. A proven sire in the Ficke Cattle Company bull battery, the bull sold to Mark Ford, Ford Cattle Co., Fort Payne, Ala. Ford became an Aubrac breeder in 2007, and has since developed one of the leading programs in North America.

$3,500 -- GRNT Tecumseh 6T, a fullblood embryo transplant bull born May 2007. Developed from leading French genetics by Wahoo Cattle Company, St. Joseph, Mo., the bull sold to Les Miller of South Dakota. Miller is developing a premium grass-fed beef program, and will use 6T for foundation genetics in the development of this new beef label. The purchase of both 6T and 8T mark Miller�?s entry into the Aubrac business.

$3,500 -- GRNT Ticonderoga 8T, a fullblood embryo transplant bull born May 2007. A flushmate to 6T, the bull also sold to Les Miller. Both 6T and 8T are sired by Goeland, an elite French AI sire, and are out of Seduire, one of the top fullblood cows in North America.

$3,000 -- JSFB Slammer 702T, 80% Aubrac bull sired by GRNT Barbarossa and out of a top cow from Figure 4 Cattle Company, Eckert, Colo. A descendant of the great Hector bull, this herdsire prospect was consigned by Jeff Borgman, Pleasant Dale, Neb., he sold to Ficke Cattle Company and Eggerling Hay and Cattle Company, Pleasant Dale.

$3,000 -- HUNT Treadstone A08T, a 7/8ths embryo transplant son of Lioran, an elite AI sire known for top maternal genetics. Consigned by long-time Aubrac breeder Hunt Aubracs, Oxford, Neb., the bull sold to Peter McDaid of Elmherst, Ill. A successful, diversified ag operator in Illinois, McDaid is a new member of the Aubrac family this year.

$3,000 -- HUNT Thesis A01T, a 7/8ths embryo transplant son of Lioran, and full sibling to HUNT Treadstone A08T. Also consigned by Hunt Aubracs, this bull sold to Scott Fredrickson, Mountain Standard Livestock, Terry, Mont. Fredrickson has one of the oldest Aubrac programs in North America.

Bred heifers:

$5,000 -- GLDN Tammy 23S, a 75% Aubrac bred heifer sired by Tenor and consigned by Golden Oaks Beef, Northfield, Minn. Born 10/2006 and bred to SuperHero, a leading fullblood herdbull, the heifer sold to Byron Anderson of Hugo Minn.

$3,900 -- GLDN Babe 28S, a smooth polled, 81% Aubrac heifer sired by Double O Six and consigned by Golden Oaks Beef. Safe in calf to SuperHero, the heifer sold to Peter McDaid, and will serve as the genetic foundation for McDaid�?s Aubrac breeding program.

$3,550 -- GLDN Isabella 34S, a 75% Aubrac bred heifer sired by GLDN Impressive 26P and consigned by Golden Oaks Beef. Safe in calf to SuperHero, the heifer also sold to volume buyer Peter McDaid.

$2,000 -- GLDN Brandy 37S and GLDN Beth 38S, born 11/2006, both consigned by Golden Oaks Beef, sold to volume-buyer Charlie Briggs of Wray, Colo. Both heifers are Double Six daughters. Briggs is a new to the Aubrac business this year, and his purchases mark a great start for his Aubrac breeding program.

Yearling heifers:

$3,000 -- FCCO Ms Jam 718T, a black, polled 44% heifer sired by GRNT Traffic Jam, sold to Ron Minchow, Pleasant Dale, Neb. A newcomer to the Aubrac business in 2007, Minchow is building a leading Aubrac seedstock business. The heifer, born March 2007, was consigned by Ficke Cattle Company.

$3,000 -- FCCO Ms Overlord 757T, a red, polled halfblood Aubrac heifer sired by GRNT Overlord. Consigned by Ficke Cattle Company, she also sold to Ron Minchow.

$2,950 -- FCCO Ms Overlord 731T, a red halfblood Aubrac heifer sired by GRNT Overlord. Representing the best of Aubrac X hybrid genetics, she sold to Bob and Paula Carson of Idaho. The Carsons entered the Aubrac business in 2007 and are excited about developing a forage-efficient Aubrac program in the northern Rocky Mountains.

Bred cows and pairs:

$3,700 -- FCCO Ms T Jam 639S, a first-calf heifer sired by GRNT Traffic Jam with a GRNT Showstopper calf at side. Consigned by J/S Farms of Pleasant Dale, Neb., she sold to Ficke Cattle Company and Eggerling Hay and Cattle Company.

$2,600 -- HUNT Rito Verde A25R, a black, polled 75% Aubrac cow sired by Number 1 with a bull calf at side sired by GRNT Sherman. Consigned Hunt Aubracs, this entry sold to volume buyer Ron Minchow.

$2,400 -- HUNT Party Girl A91P, a black, halfblood cow sired by Orfevre. Consigned by Hunt Aubracs, she sold to Tom Hull of Kansas.

Volume buyers: Peter McDaid, Elmherst, Ill.; Gunderson Ranch, Collbran, Colo., Ron Minchow, Pleasant Dale, Neb.; Charlie Briggs, Wray, Colo.; and Jean Paul DuJardin, Wisconsin.

Fredrickson elected Aubrac President
Long-time Aubrac breeder Scott Fredrickson was elected president of Aubrac International today. His objectives for the coming year will be to bolster the breed's genetic evaluation programs, expand the breed's genetic base through importation of semen and embryos from France, and continue to encourage DNA testing to document many of the breed's inherent efficiencies.

"Scott brings to the table a wealth of experience with and knowledge of Aubrac cattle," says Past President Dan Hunt. "He has also been a hands-on producer of Aubrac cattle in Montana for nearly two decades. We're fortunate to have a person who understands the global reach of the breed -- and is aware of the opportunities that it represents."

Scott and Janet Fredrickson own and operate Mountain Standard Livestock of Terry, Mont. Their operation has become one of the largest sources of purebred and fullblood Aubracs in North America.

January 21, 2008

For immediate release

Contact Aubrac International, Inc. (402) 499-0329

Del Ficke named new Aubrac International executive

Del Ficke, a fifth-generation Nebraska cattle producer, was named today as Aubrac International's newest chief executive officer. In this capacity, he will oversee the day-to-day activities of the organization, which represents Aubrac breeders across the United States, Canada and New Zealand.

Ficke began raising Aubracs in 2005, using the breed to improve the forage efficiency of his cow herd and positioning his family-owned operation for high-quality beef markets.

"We're pleased that Del accepted the position," said Scott Frederickson, president of Aubrac International, Inc. "Since Del joined our organization, he has played a key role in expanding the breed's marketshare and bringing new producers into the business."

During the last two years, Del and Brenda Ficke have hosted the breed's roughage bull test from late fall to spring at their farm, and also managed the breed's first-ever national sale. The 2008 sale will once again be held at their farm, which is located near Pleasant Dale, Neb., about 15 miles west of Lincoln.

The Fickes use Aubracs as genetic inputs for the hybrid seedstock program, which they have successfully operated for more than 20 years.

March 2, 2007

For immediate release

Contact: Aubrac International, Inc. (402) 499-0329

1st-Ever National Aubrac Sale

March 1, 2007

Pleasant Dale, Neb.

27 bulls averaged: $3,070

18 female lots averaged: $1,643

Despite a devastating blizzard, which blew in the morning of the sale and shut down Interstate 80 and US Hwy 6, Aubrac cattle still received strong prices from bidders in 26 states and Canada. Featured in the sale were 24 bulls that were tested in the Aubrac breed's first-ever national roughage test. These bulls were tested for average daily gain last winter, and analyzed for carcass traits.

In addition, Aubrac breeders sold a top-quality set of fullblood, purebred and halfblood females. Many of these females sold bred to proven Aubrac sires.

The sale was hosted by the Del Ficke and family of Ficke Cattle Company, long-time cattle breeders of eastern Nebraska. The event was managed by Culver Creek, Inc.

For more information about Aubrac cattle, please visit www.aubracusa.com, or call (402) 499-0329

$5,400 -- A yearling fullblood son of Heros, this yearling herdbull prospect had an adjusted yearling weight of 1,280 pounds, 15.3-inch ribeye and a 6.2 frame score. Produced by Mountain Standard Livestock of Terry, Mont., the bull sold to Figure 4 Cattle Company of Somerset, Colo.

$5,300 -- A full brother to the high-selling bull, this yearling fullblood son of Heros had an adjusted yearling weight of 1,297 pounds, a 15-inch ribeye and a 6.8 frame score. Produced by Mountain Standard Livestock, the bull sold to Gunderson Ranch, Collbran, Colo.

$5,000 -- A polled 7/8ths son of Maximus, this yearling herdbull prospect had an adjusted yearling weight of 1242 pounds, a 15.7-inch ribeye and a 5.2 frame score. Produced by Wahoo Cattle Company, Oak Creek, Colo., the bull sold to Ficke Cattle Company and Ron Minchow of Pleasant Dale, Neb.

$3,400 -- A purebred son of Maximus, this yearling herdsire prospect had an adjusted yearling weight of 994 pounds, a 14.6 inch ribeye, a 5.1 frame score and marbled in the Choice quality grade. Produced by Wahoo Cattle Company, the bull sold to Hunt Aubrac Ranch, Oxford, Neb.

$3,200 -- A fullblood son of Goeland, this yearling herdbull prospect claimed an adjusted yearling weight of 1,287 pounds, a 6.0 frame score and a 15.5 inch ribeye. Produced by Mountain Standard Livestock, this bull sold to Dave and Nancy Weinhandl, Fox Creek Ranch, Eaglesham, Alberta.

Females:

$2,800 -- A fullblood daughter of Impresario, this seven-year-old mature cow was produced by Boyd Cattle Company, New Cambria, Mo., and sold to Mountain Standard Livestock. She will be used in Mountain Standard's ET program

$2,000 -- A 44% yearling daughter of Traffic Jam, this polled heifer was produced by Ficke Cattle Company. She sold to Wahoo Cattle Company.

$2,000 - A purebred daughter of Renault, this heifer was produced by Golden Oaks Beef, Northfield, Minn. She sold to Wahoo Cattle Company.

$1,800 - A red, polled Gelbvieh "Balancer" cow, born in 2001 and produced by Ficke Cattle Company. She sold bred to Traffic Jam and was purchased by John Muenks, Bonnets Mill, Mo.

$1,700 - A 68% yearling daughter of GLDN Favorite 62L, this yearling heifer was produced by Golden Oaks Beef. She sold to Mark Ford of Fort Payne, Ala.

$1,600 - A 75% yearling daughter of Renault, this yearling heifer was produced by Golden Oaks Beef. She also sold to Mark Ford, Fort Payne, Ala.

Embryo lots:

$1,500 - An embryo flush produced by Hunt Aubracs, Oxford, Neb.. The offering included HUNT Rae Rae Hunt A12R, a polled purebred two-year-old female flushed to the sire of the purchaser's choice. The flush sold to Dean Vanderlinde, Whitney, Neb.

November 15, 2006

For immediate release

Contact: Aubrac International, Inc. (402) 499-0329

Aubrac fed cattle produce lean but high-quality carcasses

(Northfield, Minn.) - Carcass data from five head of Aubrac steers and heifers demonstrate the breed is ideally positioned to exceed consumer demands for lean yet high-quality beef products.

The cattle, sired by a fullblood Aubrac bull -- BC Double O Six -- were owned by Golden Oaks Beef, Northfeld, Minn.. The cattle were processed for use in the company's branded meat operation, and the beef will be distributed to consumers in southcentral Minnesota.

An 81-percent Aubrac steer had an 802-pound carcass, 0.3 inches of backfat, a 15-square inch ribeye, a Choice quality grade and a Yield Grade of 2.2

Two 50-percent Aubrac steers averaged 760 pounds in carcass weight, 0.35 inches of fat, 14.75 REA , Choice quality grade and YG 2.2

Two 50-percent Aubrac heifers had 764-pound carcasses with 0.37 inches of backfat, 14.25 REA, Choice quality grade and a Yield Grade of 2.5.
"The oldest calf was 17 months old and the youngest was 15 months old," says Wayne Bollum, who owns and operates Golden Oaks Beef. "The data on our Aubrac cattle continues to impress us with the breed's ability to balance muscle and marbling."
Golden Oaks Beef was a pioneer in the development of the Aubrac breed in the United States.
The breed, developed in an all-forage environment of southcentral France, is ideally suited for use in pasture-focused or grass-fed beef operations in North America.

For Immediate Release

November 1, 2007

Contact Aubrac International, Inc. @ (402) 499-0329

Ficke Cattle Company selected as site for first-ever national Aubrac sale

Ficke Cattle Company of Pleasant Dale, Neb., has been selected by Aubrac International, Inc., to host North America's first-ever national Aubrac sale.

The sale, which will feature 60 lots of bulls, females, semen and embryos,will take place at the ranch's headquarters on March 1, 2007.

"We're pleased that Del Ficke and his family have taken on this challenge," says Dan Hunt, president of Aubrac International, Inc. "The Fickes have been in the cattle business for more than a century, and they bring a wealth of livestock management and livestock merchandising experience to this effort."

The Fickes raise both red composites and Hereford seedstock. They entered the Aubrac business two years ago, after recognizing the breed's forage-focused economic advantages.

"Aubracs are the cattle we've been looking for for many years," says Del. "They are extremely efficient cattle, developed to meet the demands of today's consumer."

The Fickes are also hosting North America's first-ever national Aubrac bull test. Nearly 30 bull calves representing 10 breeders from across the country have calves enrolled. The test will conclude before the sale, and many of the test participants will be eligible for purchase at the national sale.

For more information about the sale or Aubrac cattle, please contact Aubrac International at (402) 499-0329.

For Immediate Release
October 15, 2007
Contact Aubrac International, Inc. @ (402) 499-0329
Dan Hunt tapped as first president of Aubrac International, Inc.
Dan Hunt, a seedstock producer from Oxford, Neb., was elected Aubrac International, Inc.'s first-ever president earlier this month.
Hunt, who raises about 400 head of registered Limousin and Aubracs with his parents, Charlie and Nancy and his brother Dave - has been actively involved in the development of the Aubrac breed since 1995.
"I am looking forward to taking on this challenge," remarked Hunt. "I am also very excited about helping the breed expand market share in the coming years."
Providing top-flight customer service has been the hallmark for the Hunt family business, and Hunt says this will be reflected in his leadership of the newly minted Aubrac organization.
"Our first priority will be the work we're doing with our registry and genetic evaluation," said Hunt. "Our second priority will be to establish a strong market for this great breed of cattle."
Aubrac cattle are moderate-framed, efficient cattle, well known for their foraging abilities.
The Hunts sell the majority of their Aubrac bulls and replacement females via private treaty, although they plan to market about 10 head of cattle through the first-ever National Aubrac Sale next March.

September 5, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact Aubrac International @ (402) 499-0329

Aubrac International, Inc., taps American Gelbvieh Association for registry and genetic evaluation services

(Westminster, Colo.) -- Aubrac International, Inc., announced today that American Gelbvieh Association will maintain its breed registry services and perform its annual genetic evaluation.

Formed earlier this year, Aubrac International, Inc., represents Aubrac breeders across the United States and Canada.

Aubracs (pronounced Oh-braks) are a breed of cattle developed in southern France for grass-fed and forage-based beef production, and are ideally suited for use in both corn-fed and pasture-based systems in North America.

"We're excited about working with AGA," says Dan Hunt, president of Aubrac International, Inc. "AGA has one of the largest across-breed databases in the world, which provides us with an unsurpassed foundation for genetic evaluation. And, AGA has a long-term commitment for cost-efficient record-keeping. It's a good fit for us, and we look forward to a long-lasting and mutually beneficial relationship"

U.S. Aubrac breeders will be hosting their first-ever National Aubrac sale -- featuring bulls, heifers, commercial females, semen and embryos -- on March 1, 2007, in Pleasant Dale, Neb. The sale will be broadcast to a nationwide audience via Superior Livestock auctions.

For more information, contact Aubrac International, Inc., at (402) 499-0329 or visit http://www.aubracusa.com/.

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