the
BEEFMASTER Pay Weight
a publication dedicated to serving commercial cattlemen and produced by Beefmaster Breeders United FALL 2019
Vol. 5, No. 2
Section 1
www.beefmasters.org
Texas A&M University and Beefmaster Join Forces By Jeralyn Novak, Beefmaster Breeders United Texas A&M University (TAMU) in College Station, Texas is making a change in direction for their beef cattle herd. They have made the decision to upgrade with two new breeds, Beefmaster and Red Angus. Beefmaster Breeders United has been working with TAMU leadership since the fall of 2018 on this project. This partnership demonstrates that Beefmaster cattle are being recognized for outstanding maternal traits, growth, efficiency and adaptability not just in Texas, but globally. “There are multiple reasons why we decided to initiate a herd with Beefmasters,” said TAMU Animal Science Department Head Dr. Cliff Lamb. “Globally, about 70% of the world’s beef cattle are in tropical or sub-tropical regions. It is certainly a reason to have a breed that is
associated with the ability to adapt to those climates.” Dr. Lamb is determined to make the Texas A&M Beef Center a highlight for the Animal Science Department. Dr. Lamb and his team would like to create the best possible cow herd for teaching, research and demonstrations, as well as be a place for visitors and international guests. “We made a decision early on that we were going to establish a reputable Beefmaster herd, along with a Bos taurus based breed, so we could use this as front door to our department,” Dr. Lamb stated. This is a tremendous opportunity for the Beefmaster breed to become a part of a leading agricultural university’s quest to build a premier Beefmaster herd. Beefmaster breeders are currently in the process of nominating their
embryo donations. Embryo selections from the pool of nominated genetics will be made by TAMU personnel. Their goal is to source at least 120 embryos of high genetic merit, based on the approved EPD parameters, to build an early spring calving Beefmaster herd. Their second new herd of Red Angus cattle was initiated last fall and has been set up as a fall calving herd. “The Beefmaster cattle are going to be at our Beef Center and we are going to utilize those Beefmasters to not only teach classes and
educate producers, but we are also going to utilize that herd to do some cutting edge research that will have a positive impact on not only livestock producers in Texas, but around the world,” stated Lamb. According to Lamb, the Beefmaster females in their herd will be of highgenetic merit and with these animals they will investigate some fundamental research associated with reproduction, genetics and carcass-based traits. The department’s goal is to be able to identify things continued on page 4
Requested in-home September 16 - 20, 2019
Make cows more profitable by leveraging the power of maternal heterosis By Robert L. Weaber, Ph.D., Kansas State University The dramatic increases in cow-calf production system input costs over the last five years has many producers wondering about the value of heterosis in today’s beef industry pricing structure. Many producers are seeking ways to improve cow-calf production efficiency and profitability. Profitability may be enhanced by increasing the volume of production (i.e. the pounds of calves you
market) and/or the value of products you sell (improving quality). The reduction of production costs, and thus break-even prices, can also improve profitability. Better yet, improving the input:output ratio should enhance profit. For commercial beef producers, the implementation of technologies and breeding systems that increase the quality and volume of
production and reduce input costs is essential to maintain or improve the competitive position of the operation. Producers need to know the value generated in their herd by heterosis or hybrid vigor, especially maternal heterosis or the heterosis ex. The use of crossbreeding offers two distinct and important advantages over the use of a single breed. continued on page 5