Sauk Valley Angus Named Seedstock Producer of the Year

The Beef Improvement Federation honored Sauk Valley Angus, Rock Falls, Ill., as the 2006 Seedstock Producer of the Year. The family-owned operation is owned by Gary and Kathy Sandrock and managed by Jay King, Ben Sandrock and Matt Sandrock. Pictured from left: Matt, Gary, and Kathy Sandrock, Jay King, and Ben Sandrock.

CHOCTAW, Miss. (April 20, 2006) — The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) named Sauk Valley Angus its 2006 Seedstock Producer of the Year during the organization’s 38th annual meeting April 18-21 in Choctaw, Miss.

Headquartered southwest of Rock Falls, Ill., in Whiteside County, Sauk Valley Angus is owned by Gary and Kathy Sandrock and managed by Jay King, Ben Sandrock and Matt Sandrock. The family-owned and -operated seedstock and row-crop operation has been at the current location for seven generations. All income is derived from the sale of Angus seedstock and cash crops.

The farming operation consists of more than 10,000 acres of row-crop ground, 75% of which is irrigated. The farm raises corn, soybeans, sweet corn, wheat, peas, rye, lima beans, alfalfa, pasja and native grasses. Conservation practices have allowed the operation to maximize production while minimizing impact on the land.

The cattle operation is composed of 480 registered Angus cattle and 190 commercial Angus females that are used as embryo transfer (ET) recipients. The breeding program is focused on production of functional, balanced-trait cattle that are designed to create value in every segment of the beef industry, while yielding an end product that will exceed consumer expectations. Sauk Valley Angus conducted its 10th annual bull sale this spring, and has its 10th annual production sale scheduled this fall.

The cows are synchronized and artificially inseminated (AIed) to calve within a 45-day window in January and February. In recent years, the inception and growth of their embryo program has enabled them to propagate their most elite cow families, while expediting genetic improvements to provide customers with the cutting-edge genetics they demand.

One of the key elements in the operation is its performance recordkeeping system, composed of the Sesame Database program, which was customized by Sauk Valley Angus to utilize herd information in a more efficient manner. The Sesame Database allows them to rapidly access and utilize Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR^SM) performance data, expected progeny differences (EPDs), production records and ultrasound scan data to assist in making objective culling and selection decisions.

The Sesame Database contains the entire production record for every breeding female in the herd. In addition to individual performance information, the system provides every breeding date, every sire bred to, every calving date and all the calving information for the life of the dam. Through this system, Sauk Valley Angus can make note of any information pertinent to the cow to help in the analysis of her performance. Custom breeding, calving, health and other reports can be printed. The program makes it easy to get all the information and history on a particular animal in a matter of seconds.

Sauk Valley Angus works with its customer base to ensure the genetics provided improve performance and profitability for their customers. One of the programs developed is the Sauk Valley-sired Feeder Calf Sale at the Walnut Sale Barn. This sale will be held for the fifth year in 2006. It has secured some of the top feeder calf prices in the area. Sauk Valley Angus also cooperates with a commercial company to provide a preconditioning program.

Through the Sauk Valley Herd Builders Program, the Sandrocks partner with new producers to help them develop their herds. The operation also offers a youth incentive program for 4-H and FFA members purchasing females in their sale and then winning at local, state or national shows.

The Sauk Valley Angus Country Store offers Certified Angus Beef® (CAB) product direct from the store or by mail order. To complement the beef, the store offers various cooking utensils and cookbooks to promote the use of high-quality beef. King serves as a director on the American Angus Association Board.

The Seedstock Producer of the Year Award has been presented to outstanding seedstock firms throughout the United States and Canada since 1972. Since then, only 35 firms have been honored with the prestigious award. Sauk Valley Angus is the first purebred firm from Illinois to receive the award.

BIF was formed as a means to standardize programs and methodology and to create greater awareness, acceptance and usage of beef cattle performance concepts. More information can be found on the organization’s Web site, www.beefimprovement.org.