What: Live, Deep Roots Radio conversation with bovine genetics guru Gearld Fry When: Saturday, Jan. 3, 2014, 9:00-9:30AM Central Where: Broadcast and streamed live from the studios of WPCA Radio, 93.1FM and online at www.wpcaradio.org
Gearld Fry, bovine genetics expert
I met Gearld Fry five years ago. It was in a crowded hotel conference room in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Fry was one of four instructors taking us through a two-day grazing school. We were transfixed.
It was December and Dave and I had just bought our 72-acre farm in western Wisconsin. Fry’s presentation introduced us to principles we’re using to improve our herd and to produce healthful 100% grass-fed beef.
Fry talked about working seasonally, feeding only grass and why, how to identify a cow that will give rich milk for her calves, and the huge influence the bull has on the quality of future generations. He also stressed the importance of “line breeding,” using your own bulls to continually improve the quality of your animals.
Line breeding?
Join me and Gearld Fry tomorrow morning for a live chat about his approaches. Nationally known, Fry’s counsel is based on over 50 years experience with cattle – beef and dairy.
A rose is a rose is a rose, or so the old song goes. But is it? The more we learn, the more we become aware that every living thing is unique. While two roses may appear identical at first glance, a closer examination reveals hundreds of differences – many of them critical. While both are red, one can thrive in drier soil, while another is resistant to aphids. In both cases, the traits can be passed on to the next generation: they are heritable.
Full Throttle, registered BueLingo bull, herd sire
Genetic variability and inheritable traits are true for cattle as well. (You knew I was going to get to farming, eventually.)
And what bovine expert Gearld Fry has learned over many decades is that the bull plays a dominant role in setting the health, conformity and vigor of your herd, including the body features of daughter cows.
I hope you enjoy this Deep Roots Radio chat with Mr. Fry – his insights are powerful. It was recorded live in the studios of WPCA Radio, Amery, Wisconsin.
You can learn about Mr. Fry’s work at Bovine Engineering dot com.
