GENETIC SELECTION Fulfilling all beef segment demands

by Nate Smith, Top Dollar Angus, for

As we move into another seedstock sale season, we see a plethora of factors playing in the average producer’s mind surrounding potential bull purchases. As many of us well know, a large portion of the cow-calf industry is fighting a severe drought, causing the shrinking national cow herd. Although the deep culling has brought stress, it does bring forth opportunity for a revolution in the genetic make-up of the U.S. beef herd moving forward.

Let’s begin with how we got here. For the past seven years, beef cow numbers have been in growth mode. Feed resources we not a major issue and better management programs were established, but we still say some producers returning to old methods when we had an abundance of cattle. An over-supplied market made it easy to skimp on genetic inputs and market demands. With supplies tightening and global beef demand continuing to grow, this year’s genetic investment is one that is sure to carry decades of impact.

Why, you make ask? What makes this year so much different than previous years? This year we have seen a record number of cows, heifers and bulls being harvested, leaving what is left of our core production herd very young. To preplace those animals, it will take the next few calf crops and if retained for production, they will be the base from which we build. A Base that can be constructed for the future, one that considers the traits the beef industry demands from calf to consumer.

This may seem like a simple ask to the cow-calf producer; more efficient cows, higher weaning weights, improved fertility, etc. But let’s dive deeper into the supply chain and how an upgrade in genetics could increase the cow-calf producer’s return by merely improving the other sector’s experiences.

While many of us in the ag world are fortunate enough to have our own animals the

Red Angus Association of America

processed locally for our consumption, the other 98 percent of the world has a different route to obtaining their favorite protein source. The consumer, whether they are purchasing it at a grocery store or a restaurant are at the end of the day, our consumer. They drive demand, which drives beef price, which pushes live cattle price and reaches all the way back to calf values. This is why we select for carcass traits; retail consumers are not the ones who pay for it and, as we see how they spend their dollar, they want more!

So, we know we can improve carcass-related traits in this genetic upgrade to cover the end customer. What about those between producers and consumers? One word seems to wrap up what we hear our feeders tell us daily: efficiency. Referring back to the earlier mention of drought, we see that, once again, the cost of growing animals during the drought is extreme. High commodity prices mean the genetics that cowcalf producers are selecting at the bull sale can make the difference between profit and loss for the feeder. While EPDs such as ADG and CW and indexes like Grid Master may seem like a secondary criteria, they still carry large value because they are the keys to our feedyard customers’ success.

Finally, to the real decision makers, the ones that control the final product from birth: bull buyers. As discussed above with supply chain members, efficiency and carcass quality matter. Which suggest that they cows-calf producer’s interest is secondary. But a simple look at the interest of each may render that argument invalid. Consumers want sustainable beef –ranchers desire sustainable cows. Feeder want efficient cattle – cow-calf producers desire sustainable cows. All segments demand the same qualities and now the opportunity to achieve those demands through selection of progressive genetics awaits.