Program designed to get youth involved in breeding cattle

By CRAIG REED
For the Capital Press

ROSEBURG, Ore. -- Cy Holcomb and Nick Williams don't have a thousand bucks in their pockets.

So when the Douglas County Livestock Association announced late last year it was beginning a new program -- giving a couple of heifers to area youths -- Cy and Nick were two of several teenagers who submitted applications and were interviewed about their interest in the beef industry. Cy, a 12-year-old from the Elkton, Ore., area and Nick, 14, of Lookingglass, Ore., were selected.

Nick picked a Black Angus-Maine-Anjou crossbred heifer that was born in early 2011 on Walt Cockrell's ranch. Cy picked a purebred Red Angus heifer that was born on Veril Nelson's ranch. Both ranches are in the Oakland, Ore., area. The ranchers were reimbursed $500 each by the livestock association, about half the value of the heifers.

"One focus of the livestock association is to support youth in agricultural activities," said Nelson, who is also the association president. "We felt there was a need to help kids establish breeding programs."

Nelson explained that many 4-H and FFA kids are involved in market steer programs, but only a few get involved in breeding.

"The market program is great, but the breeding program is more of a year-round activity," he said. "We think kids learn more from a breeding program and more about the livestock industry because they have to pay attention to their livestock on a year-round basis."

Nick has had limited experience with beef, having shown an Angus heifer at last year's Douglas County Fair. He's also shown lambs at the Douglas County Lamb Show for the past four years.

Cy comes from a ranching family, but its operation focuses on commercial crossbred cattle. He said he's interested in developing a purebred herd.

"This opens up a big opportunity for Cyrus and I," Nick said. "This is stepping up to the next level, to fully train a heifer."

"These animals are expensive," Cy said. "There were other applicants, other options, so I'm really thankful they picked me. I'm thankful for the quality of heifers we had to choose from."

Nelson said more young people need to get involved in the U.S. production agriculture industry, given that farmers' average age is edging toward 60.

In April or May, the boys will have to make breeding decisions for their animals, studying genetics and picking a bull. Nelson said that the livestock association encourages the use of artificial insemination and that he's willing to donate his time for the procedure. Genex Cooperative Inc., a national company that specializes in cattle genetics and semen, is willing to donate the semen, he said.

In August, the boys will show their animals at the Douglas County Fair as bred heifers. Then they'll give presentations on their first year with their heifers at the Douglas County Livestock Association's annual meeting in October.

The heifers should calve in late January or early February 2013. Each boy will then show his cow-calf pair at the 2013 fair. After another presentation at the livestock association's annual meeting, Nick and Cy will be granted full ownership of the animals.

Nelson said the association plans to accept applications and to select a more youth for the heifer project in September. He said the association may also consider helping kids get involved in sheep and pig breeding projects.