Joe and Cindy Frasier, opened up the Frasier Farms-River Bend Ranch on Thursday, August 16th, to host producers from four states for a field day coordinated by the Colorado State University Beef Team.  The 120+ attendees started the event with steak, sweet corn, and baked potato; prepared by the CSU Beef Team and generously sponsored by the American Red Angus Association and Pfizer Animal Health. 

Following lunch, producers had the opportunity to join into groups and were shuttled among the three tour stops.  At the ranch headquarters, Joe shared some information about the ranch and how they had developed their award winning ranching philosophy.  Dr. Libby Fraser (Pfizer Animal Health) visited about the ranches’ health management program and Dr. Ron Bolze (Red Angus Association of America) discussed how the ranch participates in the RAAA’s carcass evaluation program.  Additionally, Stephen Russell, Ronny Pope, & Levi Ebert (Genex Cooperative, Inc.) shared estrous synchronization strategies with the producer groups. 

Frank Carlson (ABS Global, Inc.) and Mick Livingston (CSU Extension) visited with producers at the next tour stop.  They gave an overview of how Frasier Farms has incorporated RFID into their management program and utilize this tool in their breeding system.  Tour attendees were able to see the electronic equipment that is utilized in the process, as well as the successful synchronized breeding program, first hand.

 The third tour location started with Mark Frasier visiting about the concept and economics of the intensive grazing strategies employed at Frasier Farms.  This session included a visit to a one of the ranch’s 70 paddock areas, where plant utilization and growth was discussed.  Additionally, Chris Frasier shared thoughts and observations about summer calving vs. traditional calving seasons and how they have had success in transitioning to the summer calving season.

Many great ideas were discussed and demonstrated during this field day.  Furthermore, the producer questions were excellent.  The CSU Beef Team is very excited about the great attendance that we had at this field day and would like to thank everyone for joining in the event.  The Beef Team would also like to express our appreciation to the many speakers and the sponsorship support from the Red Angus Association of America and Pfizer Animal Health.  Additionally, we want to express our thanks to Joe and Cindy Frasier for hosting this year’s field day and all of the work that they did in preparing for the event.  If you have suggestions for future field days and/or ideas for potential meetings, feel free to contact any member of the CSU Beef Team to pass those thoughts onto the group.  A listing of team members can be found at http://www.csubeef.com/content/view/71/.

             
Joe Frasier welcomes producers to                 Chris Frasier visits with producers about 
Frasier Farms - River Bend Ranch                    the summer calving program used at
                                                                       Frasier Farms - River Bend Ranch

              
Frank Carlson (ABS Global, Inc.) visits                 Producers enjoy a steak lunch at the
with producers about the synchronized             2007 CSU Beef Team Field Day, held
breeding program used at Frasier                   at the Frasier Farms - River Bend Ranch
Farms - River Bend Ranch