April 2008
Producer Uses Good Nutrition to Improve Cattle Operation

By Susie Sims     Cattle producer Craig Sizemore at his farm in Lamar County. Cattle producer Craig Sizemore is like most producers in the South. He loves what he does. What he doesn’t love these days is the high cost of making a living. With input costs at record highs, Sizemore is just one of thousands of producers who are looking for ways to curb their expenses while maintaining their output. A few years ago, Sizemore, who owns Fairview Farms in Lamar County, wasn’t having the kind of success he wanted with his herd of registered Angus cattle. He wanted to improve his conception rates while maintaining his closed herd. He keeps ten replacement heifers each year to maintain his herd of 45 to 60 cows.   Lamar County producer Craig Sizemore with his registered Angus herd.   Sizemore used to feed his heifers a mixture of ground corn and hay. When those heifers were bred, the conception rate was only about 20 percent. That had to change. To make the change, Sizemore began offering his heifers free-choice soyhull pellets and Iono-lyx tubs for weight gain, and VMS #21 mineral with extra vitamins A, D and E. "Nutrition really made the difference," said Sizemore. "We went from a 20 to 90 percent conception rate."     Sizemore demonstrates how his squeeze chute works to John Sims, AFC feed salesman, at his cattle facility near Sulligent. Getting the body weight up on the heifers really improved their chances of conception, added Sizemore. "Spending a little more on nutrition just made sense," he reasoned. "You can’t sell a calf if you don’t have one." In addition, he has his bull and herd tested by Mississippi State University (MSU) as part of his breeding program. The morning he begins his breeding season in January, he takes his bull to Starkville to have a Breeding Soundness Exam. In June, a veterinarian and 2 or 3 MSU students will come to his farm to do pregnancy tests and evaluate each cow. Sizemore said each animal is tattooed and tagged so he can keep up with weaning weights and other pertinent information. His brood cows are allowed to graze and are fed fertilized hay and Crystalyx BGF 30 tubs. Sizemore grows his own hay on the farm. He currently has a stand of Max Q fescue. When it comes time to sell calves, he takes them to the Northwest Alabama Livestock Auction in Russellville. His herd is registered Angus, though it is treated as a commercial herd. Sizemore only registers the heifers he keeps. He noted sometimes customers request a calf be registered and he has all the paperwork to accommodate them. All In The Family Sizemore’s farm has been in his family since the early 1800s. It has been farmed continuously by his family since then, except for a short time when it was leased to another farmer. "We leased the place to a local fellow from 1969 to 1979," said Sizemore. "Except for that, my family has worked this land for close to 200 years." The original farm contained 640 acres in one block. When Sizemore’s great-grandfather died, the property was divided equally among the eight children. Sizemore’s grandfather began buying out his siblings’ shares until he had restored the farm. He also added 40 acres from a neighboring farm. Sizemore runs his cattle and hay operation on the property and on his 10 acres in Sulligent. Now the family property is jointly owned by Sizemore and his sister, Claire, who lives in Birmingham. Together they have a timber operation, Sizemore and Sizemore. Their operation won the W. Kelly Mosley Environment Award in 1993 for its achievement in forestry, wildlife and related resources. On a hill in the woods stands a log cabin that at one time was the post office for Sizemore, AL. Family Business Besides carrying on the family farm, Sizemore is continuing another family tradition. Sizemore Insurance Agency, an independent agency in Sulligent, has been in the family since 1913, when it was started by Sizemore’s grandfather. Information Is Key In order to keep things running smoothly, Sizemore relies on help from many organizations. This help usually comes in the form of information. "It never hurts to have all the information you need," said Sizemore. "It certainly helps when it comes time to make a decision." He gets his information from his relations with various organizations and associations. Sizemore is vice president of the Lamar County chapter of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. He is also a past president and past regional vice president of the organization. He sits on the state Soil and Water Committee and is the Lamar County chair of the Soil and Water Conservation District. He is the president of the Alabama Association of Conservation Districts as well as the vice chair of the state Association of Resource, Conservation and Development. "Knowledge is the reason for my involvement with these groups," said Sizemore. "There is always somebody who has a little better idea than me." Sizemore said his involvement also allows him to interact with people from all over the United States. Sizemore does most of his trading at the Marion County Co-op in Hamilton. Manager Steve Lann is always ready to help however he can, said Sizemore. Lann said Sizemore relies on the Co-op for gates, hay rings, Crystalyx and Iono-lyx tubs as well as Ivomec. Sizemore and his wife, Beverly, have been married for 30 years. They have two daughters, April, 18, and Autumn, 12. Contact Info Persons wishing to contact Sizemore may call him at his insurance office at (205) 698-9821 or at the farm at (205) 698-8807. His home number is (205) 698-8453. Susie Sims is a freelance writer from Haleyville.