Youth News
ICYMI- We Talk with California Cattle Producer Frank Ward, Purebred Heifer Judge at 2021 OYE
Sat, 20 Mar 2021 14:58:28 CDT
Today's livestock shows are showcasing the kind of livestock we need on the farm said Frank Ward, Orland, California rancher and judge of the pure-bred heifers at this year's Oklahoma Youth Expo.
Ward has a Registered Angus cattle ranch with his family in northern California and has a long family heritage with the Hereford industry.
During an interview with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays, Ward said the OYE show fits well because these good quality cattle are exactly what we want on the farm.
Yeah, they're pretty but they will go and survive in the real world, Ward said.
I think the cattle have changed a lot as the show ring has gotten a lot closer to what we want in the real world, he said.
Ward said the appearance of the animal is just as important as the genetics.
I think at the end of the day there are some things EPD's can't tell you and that's where the visual phenotypes are important, Ward said.
The California cattleman travels the country as a judge and sees a lot of different farms and ranches.
Ward said all the cattle breeds are beginning to look alike with a lot of consistently.
I think we're getting closer to the pork and poultry industry where they're getting them to all look alike, he said.
Ward noted he enjoys interacting with the kids.
It really hits the heart as you get out here in the ring and know the impact you're making upon these kids and their families, he said.
It's a family event for sure and it takes the whole family to make it happen, he added.
Click on the LISTEN BAR below to hear more of Ron's interview with Frank Ward.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR below for today's show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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