Whenever anyone says they are from Fargo it usually brings one of two responses. “Oh, it must be cold up there,” or “I’ve seen the movie.” North Dakota State University in Fargo proved to be a very gracious host for KEY Conference and portions of the 2010 edition of Shorthorn University. Participants from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota and Wisconsin were pleased to be able to enjoy pleasant weather and the chance to escape some of the heat and humidity that much of the Midwest was experiencing. Rob Sneed and his wife Ann from Missouri were in attendance. Rob has been at every Shorthorn University that has been held. Shorthorn breeder and Congressman Frank Lucas, a member of the House Agriculture Committee and his wife, Lynda were present again this year. Congressman Lucas gave an informative and thoughtful discussion of some of the happenings in Washington, D.C.
Patrick Wall initiated the event with a presentation on the fundamentals of ultrasound. We then proceeded to the NDSU Beef Unit for an actual demonstration of ultrasound techniques. People were able to make their own estimates on four head of live cattle that were scanned and then went directly to the NDSU Meats Lab for harvest with the carcasses to be evaluated and viewed on the last day of the program. The group then toured the NDSU Sheep and Dairy Units and the Animal Nutrition and Physiology Center. Dr. Rob Maddock then broke everyone into groups and presented us with choices of production scenarios with challenges to identify strategic plans to carry out the scenarios. Dr. Carl Dahlen, Extension Beef Cattle Specialist, gave a brief run down on North Dakota agriculture and some of NDSU’s research activities.  Carnivore Caterers, an NDSU graduate student run organization was a constant presence with excellent meals for the group and a taste panel experience as well.
The Fargo-Moorhead Redhawks, an independent Northern League baseball team were at home to play their arch rivals, the Winnipeg Goldeyes. As is the tradition, both the “Star Spangled Banner” and “O Canada,” the Canadian national anthem are sung at the start of the game. Pleasing both the local fans as well as the KEY and SU visitors, the Redhawks won.   
Fargo, located in the Red River Valley (of the north) borders Minnesota and is surrounded by some of the flattest, blackest and most fertile agricultural land in the world. Many non-natives were unaware that the Red River actually runs north, emptying into Lake Winnipeg and eventually into Hudson Bay. Proceeding west from Fargo riders on the Shorthorn University bus saw evidence why North Dakota ranks first among all states in the production of  at least nine different agricultural crops; spring wheat, durum, barley, sunflowers, dry edible beans, pinto beans, flaxseed, canola and honey.
The Robert Miller family, Millvale Shorthorns, have been raising Shorthorn cattle “since the time of the buffalo.” When the Miller family homesteaded near Fordville, Dakota Territory before statehood in 1885, they brought Shorthorn cattle with them. Previous to this bison grazed these prairies in northeastern North Dakota. Now in their fifth generation, the Millers are tireless promoters of the breed. The “Rorvig pasture” located eighty miles from headquarters where the Millvale pairs are pastured also has a long Shorthorn history and is the place of origin of some famous cow families. This group of hard working, great uddered cows with husky calves are expected to function under North Dakota environmental extremes and were being serviced by a stout son of RB Eagle 255th *x. Bob Miller was honored as a “Builder of the Breed” in 1977 and his wife Rose Lynne was a “Lassie of the Year” in 1986.
Collin LaPlant, his wife Luceine and their two young boys along with his semi-retired parents run about 350 commercial Angus, Red Angus and Simmental based cows near Binford, North Dakota. Along with growing wheat, corn, soybeans and alfalfa, Collin describes it as “some of the finest shale gravel/sand in the county” so because of soil conditions are “always two days away from a drought!” This impressive cow herd is calved in a 45-day calving season from mid-May through June so, as Collin states, “To be more in synch with nature.” They have Shorthorn sired calves on the ground now and nearly forty percent of his herd sire battery this coming breeding season are Shorthorns with the remainder Herefords. The cows have minimal human contact so Collin likes the disposition of these two breeds and is confidant they will bring a balance of calving ease, moderate frame size, keeping ability, the right amount of milk while adding hybrid vigor and not straying too far from the British base. A thousand head feedlot is under construction where progeny from the cow herd will be backgrounded, some finished and some heifer development is planned.  One comment from one of the SU attendees was, “In a few years this herd could be a poster child for the Shorthorn breed.”
 Spickler Ranch, Glenfield, North Dakota has been producing seedstock in the James River Valley for seven decades. In this 600 cow Angus herd, approximately 450 calve in March and April and the balance in August and September. Justin and Nathan Spickler are young in years but extremely knowledgeable and savvy in the cow business. One member of the SU contingent said, “The ideal way to explain an operation is just how Justin Spickler talked to us.” The Spickler family merchandises 120 yearlings and 40 coming two-year-old bulls and 110 heifers in an annual sale held at the ranch the first weekend in May. Recently several bulls have been purchased by AI units. This year they have 120 calves sired by one of their main home raised herd bulls S Chisum 6175, whose sons in their last sale averaged close to $5000.
The Spicklers are believers in propagating their best genetics through embryo transfer with about 150 implanted last year. However cows are not flushed until they have proven themselves. Virtually every female is AI bred or serves as an embryo recipient. All bulls and females are ultrasounded for carcass traits. They also finish all cull heifers and steers which are ultrasounded before slaughter and actual carcass data is also obtained on them as well. They are very conscious of the use of numbers in their operation. Justin pointed out a heifer calf that weighed 62 pounds at birth but projected a yearling weight EPD of 106 which is in the top 5 % of the breed. He said, “She should be kind of a curve bender.”
“The Spickler family has been raising and selling seedstock for a span of seven decades. During this time the livestock industry has experienced many changes, as has Spickler Ranch. As third generation seedstock producers the Spickler brothers know that some things do not change-sound, functional, adaptable, maternal and efficient cattle. Spicklers have taken a responsibility to their customers to provide herd changing genetics that will move their customers programs forward.” With a virtually “ironclad” guarantee on their breeding stock sales, it is understandable why a many of the Spickler Ranch bulls sell to repeat customers with the majority of them within 100 miles of the ranch. Hubbard Feeds graciously sponsored the lunch for the group.
Topp Herefords at Grace City, North Dakota have created an outstanding herd of cattle and a marketing plan from which many could draw some very fundamental but innovative ideas.
They believe in balanced trait selection across the entire herd. Their herd sires stem from superior cow families backed by generations of above-average production in all traits. They want them to be consistent in type and designed with a specific emphasis on individual traits to improve every female that is bred in the herd. The bull’s job is to maximize the cow’s potential but the female is still the factory. Their list of standards for females is short and simple. She must maintain herself on minimal inputs, rebreed in 60 days, be short-teated, level-uddered and durable enough to produce for an extended period of time.
            The Topp marketing program is referred to as “A Common Sense Approach” and is built on the development of relationships with a strong emphasis on customer service. Working with Tom Bresnahan, SB&B Feedlot of Casselton, ND they assembled an alliance that directly connects the commercial man to the feedlot and the feedlot to the genetic base of the feeder cattle being purchased. This alliance also connects SB&B with the Certified Hereford Beef (CHB) program. SB&B markets their finished cattle, many obtained from Topp Herefords’ bull customers on a grid-based system and returns complete carcass data to the cattle suppliers. Topps have focused on the feedback from their customers to make the genetic changes required to accommodate these needs. Considerable travel is involved in gathering the important customer feedback needed to supply the information back to all members of the alliance.  
            “Shorthorns Designed with the Commercial Cattleman in Mind” defines the objectives of the Westridge Shorthorn program owned by Ray and Mike Berntson of Valley City, ND. Alta Cedar First Blood 5R x, champion at the Canadian Western Agribition and his harem of cows graze pastures along the very rough but picturesque hills that line the Sheyenne River Valley. First Blood was added to incorporate his thickness and fleshing ability. Kolt Mastercharge 12T *x, a son of DFS Red Rider 844 *x and former Denver sale top seller is another important herd sire. Berntsons market both bulls and females from their 150 cow herd primarily to commercial customers in the area in keeping with the slogan that they use to define their program. A 500 head feedlot has recently been added as a way to promote their program all the way from calving to the dinner plate.      
            The Berntson family has been staunch supporters of not only the Shorthorn breed but has been active in community and state agricultural and civic organizations. Ray currently represents the flax industry on the North Dakota Oilseed Council and was a long time member of the governing board for the North Dakota Winter Show.
            Jungels Shorthorn Farm (JSF) is owned and operated by Derek and his son Brock and Derek’s parents, Dennis and Rita. The first Shorthorns were purchased by the Jungels family in 1953. When Derek returned to the operation in 1999 both the size and scope of the operation was expanded. “Durhams for Denver” is a trademark that has brought considerable notoriety and marketing success to the JSF program. Each year at Denver “In the Yards” bulls have competed successfully in the pen shows and been merchandised from coast to coast. They have also been sold from Canada to Texas and interests to Australia. From these Denver pens Select Sires AI Unit purchased JSF Capiche 46U *x, their first Shorthorn bull acquisition in nearly 25 years and have had excellent success with semen sales and calving reports.
               SULL Red Demand 9329 ET *xAR was running with a group of two-year- old pairs at Derek’s home place. Bull calf pairs were accompanied by JSF Troubadour 37W x, an impressive red son of SBR Tsunami 20T x. It is from this group that many of the 2011 Denver pen bulls will be selected and several were writing down numbers with the intention of following them through to that event. Jake’s Proud Jazz 266L *x has acquired a widespread and enviable reputation as a sire of moderate-framed, easy-doing progeny. Approaching his ninth birthday he still looks very impressive following the group of cows with heifer calves at foot. The entire SU group was not able to see the excellent group of black and commercial cows but reports were that JSF Top Hand 34R *x really “looked like a stud” in this very rough pasture.
            Engelvale, North Dakota is not universally known as one of the “hot spots” of the northern plains. However they do know how put on a good meal and cook a good steak that was sponsored by JSF. Dennis and Rita Jungels deserve special thanks for serving as tour guides for our trip through North Dakota. The country band helped to top off an enjoyable day and evening before departure for a late night arrival in Enderlin, ND.
            After an early morning departure for Galbreath Farms, Enderlin, ND we were treated to breakfast and a look at a portion of their 100 cow Shorthorn herd. The Galbreaths are truly a livestock family. In addition to the purebred Shorthorn herd they run 300 commercial cows with 25 Red Angus used to raise Durham Reds.  A large swine program produces some show pigs and their sheep operation has a commercial and a club lamb element so each April they host the “Top of Dakota” sale featuring these productions. Additionally they have 4000 tillable acres raising corn, wheat and soybeans. Ryan’s parents as well as his sister and brother and their families are all involved in the operation.
            In the spring of 2009 Galbreaths purchased the entire Gordon Brockmueller spring calving herd which brought them to their current number of purebreds. JSF Jazz 34S *x is leaving a set of muscular, stout made calves. Other herd sires on display included Canadian-bred bulls Glenford Prince 84U x and HC Leader’s Legacy 9U ET *x.  Leader’s Legacy is sired by TPS Coronet Leader 21st x, a white bull born in 1960. This writer happened to see Leader 21st show as a senior bull calf in Chicago and sell at a National Polled Shorthorn Congress in Omaha. Who would think that we would see a son and discuss this bull nearly fifty years later! Interestingly enough, Jake’s Proud Jazz 266L *x is also a grandson of Leader 21st.  
            Early records indicate that the North Dakota State University Shorthorn herd was established in 1896 when the University (then called North Dakota Agricultural College) and the state of North Dakota was only about six years old. Cows and calves are pastured at the Ekre Grassland Preserve located in the North Dakota Sand Hills approximately forty miles southeast of the campus in Fargo. A handout in the folders of all those in attendance outlined the history of the herd with a listing of all the sires used in the herd since its inception 114 years ago. Shorthorn registrations have occurred nearly every year since the herd was started. The NDSU herd would certainly rate as one of the older herds in the US under the same ownership. Nearly sixty percent of the 24 cows in the herd are members of the Orange Blossom family tracing to heifers purchased from Stangl Brothers, Java, SD. 2010 calves were sired by Saskvalley Pioneer 126P x and two of his sons as well as Eionmor Marquis 86G x, Alta Cedar Samurai 46T x and RS DV729 01 034 04 x (034). Many breeders from across North America have supplied semen for use in the herd.
            When the bus arrived back in Fargo at mid-morning on Sunday all Shorthorn University and KEY Conference attendees put on white frocks and hairnets preparing to see the carcasses of the four cattle viewed live and scanned on Friday afternoon. Dr. Paul Berg, NDSU meat scientist led the discussion on the evaluation of the carcasses. He thoroughly explained the processes employed in packing plants that are used to measure value in beef carcasses which generated considerable discussion. The results of the scans and carcass measurements are as follows:

                                      Ultrasound Measures                        Carcass Measures
B.F.      REA     Marb                              B.F.   REA   Marb
Black Baldy Steer          .34        15.7       SL+                        .45     14.7    SM60
2002 Red Baldy Heifer  .52        13.6       SM-                        .40     12.9    SM80
No Tag Red Heifer        .35        14.1       SM-                        .35     13.6    SM70
977 Yellow Heifer         .25        12.5       SL+                        .30     14.6    SM20
            
            During another superb lunch prepared by Carnivore Catering videos prepared by KEY Conference members were shown. These juniors demonstrated their creativity putting together Advocacy discussions on the Beef Industry.