Robin Childs may not have the most experience, or the most cattle, but he knows a few things that many people miss. “I am a firm believer in listening,” Robin said. When he started his cow/calf operation about six years ago, he listened to friends and older producers in the area, but he also did his own research. What he learned led him to purchase his first registered Gelbvieh cows at a seed stock sale. Robin wanted Gelbviehs because “they are good producers and good milkers.”
He feels the most important aspect of a cow is her ability to produce and raise a good calf. He does not get bogged down with the details and specifics that some producers obsess over; as long as his cows produce good calves, he is happy. He does some creep feeding to supplement his growing calves and said he has been “amazed at how fast they grow.” He wonders if there might be another reason for their fast growth. “I probably spoil them a little bit too much,” Robin smiled.
Robin pointed out a cow with her two healthy twin calves and praised her mothering ability. He gave the momma cow all the credit, noting how little extra care she required, despite the drain of mothering twins.
The efficiency of Gelbviehs is a big plus for Robin, who works full time for Ozark Electric Cooperative in Mt. Vernon, Mo. While he is busy helping others with his work, he has also had help from friends and family. He said he values the advice from others, as well as the help and encouragement friends and neighbors provide.
Last winter, while Robin spent most of a week helping other electric crews repair the damage caused around the state by the ice storm, his wife took care of the herd in spite of a frozen water line and other difficulties.
Family is also an important part of Robin’s life. His wife, Elaine, helps him care for the herd, as do their 11-year-old son Anthony and 8-year-old daughter Madison. Madison wants to start showing cattle soon, and so the family has been spending time trying to decide which members of the herd will become show animals.
They currently have over 50 cattle, 30 of which are registered Gelbvieh, on a 70-acre farm near Reeds, Mo. The Childs are happy with the amount of land they have, but hope to phase out the commercial cattle part of their operation to focus solely on purebred Gelbvieh. Right now, Robin is running some Angus, as well as some crossbred cattle.
Robin currently has one registered Gelbvieh bull that primarily serves to clean-up after artificial insemination. He has a friend that helps him AI and plans to continue the practice, but will also keep a clean-up bull just in case. Robin currently has cows in various stages of pregnancy, but thinks it would be simpler if he could try to have all the calves in the fall. He believes it is easier for the cow and calf, primarily because of milder temperatures.
Though he has a few red Gelbviehs, most of his herd is black, and he plans to keep it that way because of the superior marketability black cattle seem to have. Robin said he doesn’t really notice any distinction between the red and black cattle except when they are sold, but he is willing to do whatever is necessary to produce cattle that market well.
Though Robin Childs’ operation is just beginning, he is not afraid to try new things if he thinks the end result will be better cattle, but he is just as likely to follow the tried and true advice of a friend.
