Al Wright manages the 3000 breeding cows which are the backbone of the John H. Hendrix Corporation cow-calf operation in Southwest Arkansas.

“We market cattle where we can make the most money,” Wright said, after mentioning several ways their commercial cattle are handled post-weaning.

“Every calf that leaves here is pre-conditioned for 45 days after weaning and vaccinations. We graze them on wheat pasture, send some to the feedlot, and retain some heifers,” he said.

Wright said he has been in the cattle business all his life.

“I was 14 when I bought my first cow, and I’ve owned them ever since,” he said.

To complement their cattle operation, the Hendrix Corporation also serves as a dealer for liquid feed which they distribute to nearby ranches.

Wright said their herd downsized some due to recent drought, but they are now retaining more heifers to build it up again, and they expect to increase their herd size by 15 to 20% in the next few years.

As ranch manager, Wright has used the CattleMax software to help with management decisions for the past two years, after finding it at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) trade show.

Wright said he finds the “Pasture MOOOver” feature, included under Herd Update to be particularly helpful when he is updating records, especially in his heifer herd.

When it comes to reporting, he said he usually creates custom reports to include the specific information he is looking for.

“I make reports that pick up comments, so when we’re working the cow herd, it helps make better decisions at culling time,” he said.

Wright said that he recommends CattleMax to other producers who are concerned about their customer service needs when it comes to software programs.

“When someone asks about it [the software], I tell them that it’s awfully difficult to produce cattle that the market demands without good records, and you can’t keep good records on the back of an envelope,” he said.

For more information on the cattle at John H. Hendrix Corporation, contact Al Wright at 870-832-5661.