Association Outlook
Montie D. asa executive Soules secretary/CEO
Only You Control Genetic Decisions
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t is the time of the year when folks are busy calving or battling winter weather to feed and care for their herds. By February, most cattle people, farmers and ranchers are tired of the battle that comes every winter. If you planned well and prepared for the winter - feeding, watering and general cattle duties - the chores are not nearly as taxing. Those who have prepared for the winter effects do not get the February blues like those that have a battle every day. The same can be said about planning and preparing for the spring, summer and fall. Whether you are calving in January, February and March, or in March, April and May, you still need a breeding plan for 2022. Genetic selection is one of the most important processes in your cattle operation. Do you need to purchase a bull? Do you need to purchase some semen or get it shipped to the farm, so you have it ready when it is time to breed or have embryo transplant dates set up with the embryology team? These are all necessary preparations. What tools will you use in selecting the genetics for your future? These decisions require more than just shooting from the hip. I am going to address something you may not think about. As you run the operation many of the choices you have are dictated to you even though you may be able to choose a different dealer or vendor. The prices you pay for fuel, equipment, insurance, utilities, feed, drugs, seed, fertilizer, most all your supplies, have a set price and you are required to pay the going rate. You can contract some of these items, like feed
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or fertilizer and a few other items, but make a big difference in your bottom the only big freedom you have to make line for years to come. an economic difference is in the genetics You are the person who makes those you select. You have complete control decisions and decides what tools you will of this. That decision will carry a huge incorporate. Using EPDs will you put economic influence on the results next the emphasis on growth or maternal. year. It is worth your time to sit down on Are carcass traits more important? How those cold days and do some homework. about using the Indexes like $BMI and It does not matter if you have 5, 50 or $F and add in CED? Figure out the 100 cows, this time will be well spent. combination for your operation and stay This is the one decision you make that committed to those numbers. Equally can determine the outcome of the calf important is the physical phenotype. crop and the future of the cow herd. Make sure you have a quality individual Look at where you are and where that will help strengthen weaknesses in you’ve been with genetics. Establish the cow herd. Yes, the performance data where you want to be, then decide how is valuable and definitely needed to add to make that happen with the females value and breeding values for the future in your herd. Take your marketing but quality of the animal standing before plan into account and your options for you each time is equally important. adding value to the cattle, then look at The performance data must be what you need to do to get the value attached to a high-quality animal out of the calves, as well as the maternal for maximum value. Many animals influence for replacement type females. are still sold on how they look and After doing your homework, finalize their phenotype that have acceptable where you need to be and what you need performance data. One big mistake is not to use. It may be time for a changing or getting something new herd bull. It’s a whole lot different if it is needed. There is better to have time to find the Genetic decisions of a saying about doing the same “what I breed my right genetic package standing thing over and over again then cows to” is one of in the pasture than settling for expecting different results. whatever is available at the last the most important The market for good decisioins you minute. Same goes for semen Shorthorns with good and or any embryo transplant make in your cattle performance data is strong operation. plans. There are more bulls and those who get prepared available in February, March and have the product will get and April than later in the year. rewarded. This is not just a Genetic decisions of “what I breed my one year deal it is an ongoing selection cows to” is one of the most important process - a lifetime of input that makes decisions you make in your cattle the difference for success! = operation. It truly is the only decision you have complete control of and will
shorthorn country = february 2022
