Your Day-to-Day Risk

Spring should be upon us as you read this. All the newness spring brings each year is very refreshing. From newborn calves to the beginning of green grass and other plant life growing, it represents a new beginning each year in many ways. The new growing season and calf crop set the stage for another year of production. Relying on the weather and climate for success is just one risk everyone takes. The year progresses with the hopes for moisture for the grass to grow and crops to be successful. Shorthorn breeders evaluate their calves as they grow for performance; a high-quality individual is imperative to maintain or add value. The genetic selections you made over a year ago are now in place and working for you. In many cases, you have already made and implemented those genetic selections for next year. How do you evaluate the risk?

An agricultural producer accepts a huge amount of risk. The plans are made, genetic selections are based on past experience and other tools available. Both row crop and cattle producers have more tools at their disposal today to lower the risk factor than ever before. One tool that is commonly used each year is your eye when looking at mating a higher quality phenotype animal. If you do not trust your own eye, reach out for some consultation from others who are or claim to be experts. Other tools we have are EPDs and DNA profiles which have advanced our ability to add the type of performance where it is needed. The use of EPDs has given producers an edge in obtaining the desired performance traits. Genomics is an even bigger advantage to those testing and tracking the data for comparisons. As we roll through spring, summer and into fall, watching the crop grow, we start to make assessments daily.

I am asking you: do you write down those observations and then compare what you see with the data on the animal and the predictions that come with

Montie D. Soules asa executive secretary/CEO

genomics? Thinking you can remember all these observations will not work. Many of you with row crop operations make notes on the crop with rainfall totals and such from one year to the next. Are you doing the same with your cattle operation? Several things can affect the differences you observe. By keeping a log or database on this you may realize that a certain pasture year in and year out that is better than the rest. You will see calves weigh more or weigh less depending on the pastures. Is this nutrition? Or did you inadvertently put the poor milking cows in a group to feed them better? There are a lot of management decisions that need to be recorded or added to a spreadsheet to get a clear picture of the day-to-day effect.

Think for just a minute about the structure and manufacturing of an airplane. Engineers are using data to base the strength of steel and components as they design aircraft. They put total faith in the information they are given for the strength and stress level of the products used in building an airplane. Engineers use Excel and other computer programs in depth and use the data to ensure they are using the proper products. There is such a thing as DNA on those products. They also use the recorded day-to-day information on how the plane functions for weakness and or strength when it is in use. The day-to-day activity is a major part of designing the end product.

As purebred cattle producers, we need to use all the tools we have available. The day-to-day activity of our cattle is important and needs to be recorded and evaluated in each of our management procedures. If we record and refer to the performance records (EPDs, weights and genomics), we will be able to make accurate assumptions of what works best in our operation year after year. The cost of production is increasing daily. The only tool we can use to change that is genetic selection. By evaluating our animals on a day-to-day basis and maintaining annual records of this activity, we will become much more efficient and build a better Shorthorn.

The better Shorthorn of tomorrow is being designed today by those who use all the tools. That means all the EPDs (no single trait selection) that are in a balanced selection form. Keeping each trait in a window that fits and works for your day-to-day activity will be the future of the breed. The more you find out about your animals, the fewer mistakes you will make. In a very short time you will be able to predict the window necessary for each trait, proven from documentation. If you have gnomically tested them, your predictions will take the risk out of the equation. This will make your cattle better and more efficient day-to-day with less risk!

Watch social media, YouTube, and the ASA website for the launch of The Shorthorn Bull Pen, the new ASA video podcast hosted by Montie. This will feature breeders, industry professionals, and more!

The first episode released on March 29. The schedule for the upcoming ones to release will be the Wednesday following the second ASA Insider of each month.