MAINE-ANJOU Commercial Connection

The benefit of Maine-Anjou genetics in the commercial cattle industry is going to become more apparent over the next few years with the shift of the cattle markets and the demand for black-hided cattle. The current cattle inventory across the United States is at a low point volume wise, a place we haven’t been in over 50 years. We are already seeing an uptick in cattle prices as Fall boards show a steady incline in price, most recently hearing eight weight cattle locked in at $2.23/lb. The market structure is trending similarly to pre-2015, when cattle prices saw an all-time high. Even cull cows in the Upper Midwest are commanding a strong value after a soft lull early Spring. We are headed back toward the direction of $3,000 commercial bred heifers because of current cow inventory.

The commercial sector is going to swing around to bigger weaning weights and more performance, while the feedlot industry is still pushing hard towards carcass quality. It’s always an interesting balance of traits due to the added performance and shift in cattle growth curve to help increase feed to gain and turn the tide on a margin that will shrink with stronger feed prices, in turn demanding value in the feeder calf sector. With added performance comes a longer feeding phase to reach the required amount of adipose tissue to secure upper two-thirds Choice premiums.

The other side of increased growth is that crossbreeding will be a source to accomplishing the inherited growth needed to achieve value at the feed bunk. Adding an even more interesting element to the conversation is the FDA’s new guidelines for implanting strategies. These designations are going to put a strong hold on the use of re-implants to help with feed efficiency and growth at the bunk. A “One-Implant” approach is going to become the new norm and hinder the use of specific implants. So, what does that mean for Maine-Anjou and carving out market share?

Although implant strategy and the technology itself are valuable tools. There is something to be said about the approach to animal breeding and managing mating decisions to drive value at weaning time and increase feed efficiency. For the last three decades, certain breeds have tried to play the holistic role for all phases of the beef industry, but the facts and data prove that crossbreeding is a true natural form of performance enhancing that requires no additional trips through the chute! Hybridvigor and the results it creates are a product of combining two breeds that are distinctly different in what they have to offer and yet not sacrificing important advantages like lower birth weights and calving ease. According to the most recent Meat Animal Research Data, Maine Anjou – of the muscle breeds – has a clear advantage in Ribeye Area while staying the closest to Angus in Birth Weight. This defines a clear path for creating the type of cross that can be impactful in the feeding phase. The cut-out advantage of Maine-Anjou looks to be the yin to the Angus’s yang for clear marbling advantage. Furthermore, the pull down in mature size of the resulting offspring should create value to cow/calf operators in mature cow cost all while maintaining black-hided advantages that help corner premiums and, as a result, the market.

There is no question that technology has allowed certain breeds to capture market share by single trait selecting for marbling and letting a lab pick up the slack for the lack of lean yield. But when those things can’t be used at ease or are harder to employ due to regulations, crossbreeding should be looked upon to shoulder the burden. The Maine x Angus cross is sure to become a truly meaningful match! MAINE-ANJOU - Power Without Sacrifice!