The opportunity to make our next generation of cows a better fit to our production system and genetically capable of creating more profit potential is historically unprecedented. More tools are available to assist cattle breeders in this quest than ever before.
The goal for the “Building Back Better” series of articles during the past two months was to target the cow-calf producers who are motivated by sustainable profit.
Regardless of the size of your operation, a deep dive into the unique characteristics of your own production system is important to inform selection and mating decisions. Identifying breeding goals as well as prudent selection and mating decisions can result in a cow herd that yields more beef per acre of pasture, reduces your maintenance cost and serves as the production factory of market topping calves.
Consider the current performance metrics of your cow herd. Quantifiable measurements should be used to assess the efficiency of your business. And, measuring current levels of cowherd productivity helps identify where genetic improvement is needed.
Collect, calculate and evaluate the following:
- What is the average weight of your 4 to 7 year old cows?
- What is the average weight of your weaned calves?
- Are calf birth dates clustered in the early part of the calving season or more widely spread out?
- What is your Percent Crop Weaned?
- On a whole herd basis, what percentage of their mature weight are your cows weaning off?
- What is the length of your calving season?
Guidance for calculating these performance metrics is available in Chapter 4 of the Eight Edition of the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Beef Cattle Manual.
While this has been addressed from a standpoint of genetics and animal breeding, it is also important to consider other components of your production system over which you have management control. For example:
- If you have put selection pressure on post-weaning growth and carcass traits over the long-term and sell your calves at weaning, are you documenting the calves genetic potential to grow, grade and yield for the next owner? Is it economically feasible for you to retain ownership of your calves? Are you capturing the full value of your investment in the genetic potential you have created?
- If you have a sound vaccination protocol and typically background weaned calves for at least 45 days prior to selling, have you documented these management practices to the fullest extent possible to capture the full value of your good management?
Your Next Reads:
Building Back Better Using Selection Decisions and Breeding Values
Building Back Better: Tips for Replacement Heifer Development
Building Back Better Using Breeding Objectives and Selection Pressure
Building Back Better by Analyzing Your System
Building Back Better: Better Genotype Through Selection and Mating
Building Back Better With Mating Decisions and Gene Combination Value
Building Back Better Focused on Heritability and Heterosis
