February 24, 2015 • Page 6 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Some Tips For Purchasing A New Bull By Jake Geis, DVM Tyndall Buying a bull for your cowherd is like buying a new house. You look at dozens of homes, hoping to find the perfect one to fit your needs at a price you can afford. And once you find it, you hope it doesn’t fall apart the minute you take possession. Like home buying, we pour through sale catalogues and make phone calls to find our bulls. Then we unload them at our ranch and hope for the best. Instead of investing a few thousand into an animal and tying a lucky rabbit’s foot to his neck to keep him safe, we can do our homework pre-purchase and feel more confident in our bull. Here I’ll detail a few points to keep in mind to decrease the risk a new bull will be a flop. A good Breeding Soundness Exam (BSE) is a critical first step in a bull purchase. It doesn’t matter how fancy a bull looks, if he shoots blanks then he’s an expensive hayburner. While all bulls should have a passing BSE before the sale, it is a good idea to re-test the bull prior 1000 Jake Geis to turnout to make sure that he is still good. The second item to watch for is confirmation. Bulls should look masculine and well balanced. Leg and foot issues often lead to early culling of bulls. Keep an eye out for post-legged bulls, bulls that have weak pasterns or bulls with Auctions – Public 1020 Sales GATEWAY GENETICS Annual Bull Sale, Sunday March 1. Selling 70 outstanding lots of Angus, Simmental, Maine-Anjou composites. www.gatewaygenetics.com, lherbie_23@hotmail.com Call for catalog, 402-741-1419. GONSIOR SIMMENTALS 2015 PRODUCTION SALE: Saturday, March 14, Fullerton, NE. Selling 110+ lots Simmental & Sim-Angus. 50 Bulls, 35 opens, 35 breds/pairs, embryos. For information or catalog call 308-536-9607; 308550-0739. Madison Bird and Animal Consignment Auction. Sunday March 1st, 8:30am. Madison County Fairground. Madison, NE. 402-379-1845. www.madisonauction.com Save The Date! Wednesday, March 18, Wagonhammer Angus Ranch Annual Production Sale! Selling 200 outstanding lots. Call for catalog, 402-395-2178, www.wagonhammer.com Food - Beverage 1101 Homegrown Chicken Fryers, $6.25. Maxwell Colony, call for appointment to meet in Yankton. 605-660-0997. www.missourivalleyshopper.com 1101 Announcements Events “If you can DREAM it, you can do it!” -Walt Disney. Yankton Figure Skating Year End Performance Saturday Evening 2/28, 7pm Sunday Matinee 3/1, 2pm 4-H Kiwanis Ice Center 901 Whiting Dr. • Yankton Admission: Adults $5 Students (K-12) $3 PLEASE NOTE This publication does not knowingly accept fraudulent or deceptive advertising. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all ads, especially those asking for money in advance or ads that sound too good to be true. Hire the roofing professionals. x Our estimators are insurance specialists. x A Rating with the BBB The Last Roof You Will Ever Buy! x Residential — lifetime manufacturer warranty, non-prorated x Commercial with factory water-tight warranty (402)992-0510 Hail/wind damage? Worn out roof? Call for a FREE inspection 602 1/2 W. Benjamin, Norfolk, NE 68701 www.AandARoofingCo.com abnormal hooves. Corkscrew toes are a major problem with some bulls and are genetically linked, so buying a bull with this defect will cause it to be present in all the heifers you retain as well. And remember that pictures can be photoshopped, so only buy a bull after you have actually seen him move. Confirmation issues lead directly to a bull’s longevity. The more years a bull remains in the herd, the less he costs per calf he sires. Look for bulls that were not pushed overly hard to reach their mature weight and once you have purchased the bull, manage him carefully to maintain appropriate body condition. No matter how well the bull was developed, if he is neglected once he reaches your ranch he will not last long. With the increased calf prices this past year, bull prices are likely to reach record highs. Don’t let the increased cost drive you away from purchasing the bull that fits your herd goals. While one bull may be cheaper than another, cheapness usually manifests itself later in the calves he sires. If the “cheap” bull sires calves that wean at 50 pounds lighter than the more expensive bull, the cheap bull will cost you money in the end. Look for bulls that have EPDs that fit your herd needs. If possible, using genomicenhanced EPDs can help solidify your faith in your bull investment. Make sure the bull you are buying does not bring any unwelcome visitors. Bulls can carry diseases that can cause abortion, even though they show no signs of being infected. Trichomoniasis, commonly called “Trich,” is the most talked about disease of bulls that leads to early abortions in cows. Purchasing only virgin bulls or bulls that have passed a Trich test should protect your herd from this disease. In addition to Trich, ask the seller if he has had problems with Johne’s, vibriosis or BVD. If he is unwilling to provide this information, it could be a red flag. Even on a bull with a clean bill of health, quarantine him from the rest of the herd for at least 30 days after arrival to allow him to clear any infections he might currently be carrying. Once you’ve finally found a Announcements 1200 Events GET CASH Vendors Needed. Saturday, April 11. Clay County Extension building, Vermillion, S.D. Contact Cheryl Havermann for information (605)670-2621 or BurbankFeeders@gmail.com 1200 Cars 1200 sound, fertile bull that fits your herd goals with a clean bill of health for the right price, usually the bull seller will ask if you want insurance on the bull right as you are making out the check. Before simply saying “Yes” and adding $100 to the total, take the time to learn what the insurance covers and what it doesn’t cover. Many policies only cover the death of the animal and not his use, so if he ends up breaking his penis, the insurance will not cover him. I would still recommend buying the insurance if this is the case, but know what you’re buying so you don’t end up with an unpleasant surprise. Although this list of tips might seem impossibly long, there are many bulls for sale that fit these criteria. Talk with the bull sellers directly and you’ll find that most strive for their bulls to meet these expectations. By not compromising when looking for a bull, you’ll be happy with your investment in the fall when the calves go to sale. Jake Geis, DVM, operated the Tyndall Veterinary Clinic. Cars 1310 TODAY for any car/truck. I will buy your car today. Any Condition. Call 1-800864-5796 or www.carbuyguy.com nani Cars 1995 Van, is sound, great shape, $925. 605-760-1705. Buying junk cars, pickups, vans, running or not. Instant quote & free pickup. McLean Auto Salvage 402-360-0756 CARS/TRUCKS WANTED! Top $$$$$ PAID! Running or Not, All Years, Makes, Models. Free Towing! We're Local! 7 Days/Week. Call Toll Free: 1888-416-2330 nani CASH FOR CARS: All Cars/Trucks Wanted. Running or Not! Top Dollar Paid. We Come To You! Any Make/Model. Call For Instant Offer: 1-800-864-5960 nani CASH FOR CARS: Any Make, Model or Year. We Pay MORE! Running or Not Sell your Car or Truck TODAY Free Towing! Instant Offer: 1-888420-3805 (MCN) DONATE YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR BOAT TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. 1-800-283-0205 (MCN) Scrap Iron Wanted Old Cars, Trucks, Buses, Farm Machinery, Grain bin removal. Roll off dumpsters available. Paying top dollar. Will pick up. Gubbels Salvage 402-640-6335 Coleridge, NE Want to Buy: Buick Lacrosse, 2012, 2013 or 2014. Coming off lease, 30,000 miles or less. Duane Goff, 402-371-2094. Want to Buy: Old cars, pickups and trucks. 1900-1970?s. Call 402-841-3302. When you finish reading, Please RECYCLE. Commercial • Home • Auto Big enough to serve you, small enough to know you. SUVs FOR SALE: 1995 Ford Bronco 158,000 miles. Community Bank-Avon, SD. Call 605-2863213. 1210 Trucks 2009 GMC Sierra 4x4, ¾ Ton, Crew cab. Grey metallic. 45,000 miles. Excellent condition. $28,999 OBO. 402-7505806. Boats - Watercraft 14' Boat & trailer with 2002 15hp. Mercury motor, $1,200. Call 605-661-2602. 1270 Locally Owned & Operated 605-665-9841 1205 1240 RON’S AUTO GLASS 1915 Broadway, Yankton, SD (Next to Dairy Queen) Were you happy with your last experience at a car dealership? If not call me. DAN VANOSEL at Vermillion Ford 605-624-8624 or 605-6611320. New and used Ford cars and trucks or anything else you need. Great Service, No Pressure, No Hassles and NO Doc Fees! No Kidding! Utility Trailers Trailer SALE! 102x25, 28 30& 32 Gooseneck 24,000# GVWR trailers, Starting at $8199.00 with FREE spare; 6x12 Vnose ramp door $2,750.00; Aluminum utility 76x10 $1,699.00; DUMP trailers 8, 10 12 14 & 16; 130 trailers instock. 515-972-4554 www.FortDodgeTrailerWorld.com (MCN) #rld.com (MCN) Construction Crane Operator Wanted Knox County is accepting applications for a full-time bridge employee to operate the county crane (2008 Little Giant, 30 ton, truck mount crane). Crane operating experience is preferred. The position will be based out of Center, Nebraska, and a CDL license is required. Applications may be picked up at the office of the Knox County Highway Superintendent, Center, Nebraska or call (402) 288-5610. Applications will be accepted until March 6, 2015. Drotzmann Construction Seeking Lead Foreman & Laborers. Wages DOE. To apply or for more information 605260-9639. HELP WANTED: Welfl Construction Corp is looking for Equipment Operators, General Laborers, Concrete Finishers, Carpenters, and Welders. Wage dependent on experience. Paid health care with benefit package options. Contact Welfl Construction at 605665-3258. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. Underground cable installation workers and equipment operators wanted for work in the Yankton and Vermillion area. Bonus paid for CDL. No overnight travel. Call Keith at 605-660-1497. 1315 Drivers CDL Company Driver flatbed operations, top wages. Paid off odometer miles, small local company. S&S Express LLC. 402-582-4791. Class A CDL Driver, OTR Needed. .38¢ a mile. Home on weekends. (605)659-5086. Full-time and Part-time tender truck driving positions available. Competitive pay and benefits. Contact Eric at the Fordyce Co-op for more information. MARCH Applied Engineering, Inc. Precision Machining Education & Career Opportunity! Can we interest you in an employer-sponsored education and a career in precision machining? Applied Engineering, Inc., located at 2008 East Hwy 50 in Yankton, SD, is a growing, world-class manufacturer of precision machined aluminum components and assemblies for the defense, communication, electronic, and aerospace industries. Applied Engineering is looking to sponsor up to 3 individuals in the 2-year Precision Machining Program at Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, SD beginning in the fall of 2015. Our employer-sponsored program incorporates the recently announced Build Dakota Scholarship Program that includes careers in precision machining. We will be holding informational meetings for individuals that have an interest in learning about our employer-sponsored education program and a career in precision machining. Informational meetings about the Applied Precision Machining Program and how it works will be held on 2 dates: • Saturday March 7, 2015 from 10:00am to 11:30am • Monday March 9, 2015 from 6:30pm to 8:00pm If you have an interest in attending one of these meetings, please contact Bridget Benson at 605-665-4425 x110 or e-mail bbenson@appliedeng.com by March 6, 2015 as to which session you will be attending. If you are under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must attend the meeting with you. Applied Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer March 1st, Online Only Farm Toy Estate Auction: 1,000+ 1/64th Farm toys - all brands! March 4th, Ofstehage Retirement Farm Auction: Complete line of clean & quality Farm Equipment March 7th, Wakonda, Large Farm Toy Auction - All Brands: Lots of Allis-Chalmers, IH, JD & Cockshutt toys plus pedal tractors too! March 8th, Wakonda, Huge, All INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER Advertising Auction: Many signs, deadlership posters, displays, literature and more! Museum quality collection! March 14th, Wakonda, Spring Pressed Steel & Toy Truck Auction: 100+ Tonka Toys, plus Smith-Miller, Buddy L, Steelcraft & more. Also 1,000’s of Hotwheels & Matchbox toys! March 20th, Wakonda, Day 1 of the Dale Johansen Estate of Latimer, Iowa: Old & Custome John Deere, IH and other good, ol’ farm toys! March 21st, Wakonda, Day 2 of the Johansen Estate: Featuring rare OLIVER Farm Toys, exceptional collection of VINDEX & ARCADE Cast iron, Horse Drawn Toys & more! March 24th, Vermillion, SD, Sommervold Farms Large Farm Equipment Auction: More info coming soon! March 27th, Wakonda, Huge Friday Farm Toy Auction - all brands: New, Old, & Custom! March 28th, Wakonda, Spring Advertising & Sign Auction: Gas, Oil, Auto, Beer, Soda & other advertising. Lots of Hamm’s Beer pieces too! more from the Harold Soukup Estate of North Bend, NE. April 1st, Wakonda, Spring farm Machinery Consignment Auction. CONSIGN NOW: This will be a large & quality auction. Consign early to receive full benefits. Tractors, Farm & Construction Equipment, Vehicles, RV’s, Boats, Sporting Goods, Livestock Equipment & more. June 26 - 27th, Wakonda: 17th Annual Classic Car, Truck, Hot Rod & Motorcycle Auction open now for consignments! August 26 - 27th, Wakonda, Summer Antique Tractor Auction: It’s back this year! Now open for consignments! Please cut & save this ad! This will be the only ad we run for this month’s toy auctions. Don’t miss out! Thinking of having an auction or have an item to sell, give us a call! Call for a free, full color brochure or see our website for 100’s of photos. Live internet bidding available on many of these auctions through www.GirardBid.com! Bid there without being there! 605-267-2421 866-531-6186 Marv Girard, BA #12399; Ken Girard, CAI, AARE Broker #10183; Mike Girard, CAI, BA #13549; Scott Moore Auctioneer #11031; Mike Manning BA #11607 www.GirardAuction.com • www.GirardBid.com