The challenge of maintaining herd records is a familiar struggle for many cow-calf producers who grapple with balancing detailed documentation and practical, cost-efficient management. However, there are multiple solutions available to help transition from traditional paper to platforms that make data input and analysis more productive. During Smart Farming week, we will learn more about five record-keeping options available on the market today.
Genetic and Economic Management, better known as GEM, was created in the early 2000s by Benyshek and Hough Consulting Services, Inc. GEM is an online data entry and retrieval system that can be used by commercial and registered cattlemen. GEM has users with both small-scale operations and large operations with more than 10,000 head.
“It’s a multifaceted system,” Larry Benyshek says. “It interacts with breed associations for uploading and downloading data and people really like that, of course. They have everything on one platform, from their breeding records through their sale records.”
One feature registered cattlemen can use is registering calves with breed associations through GEM, making the process more efficient with data syncing between the two.
“You can then download back the new registration numbers they get, and they can download their EPDs every week — if they want — to the system,” Benyshek says.
GEM also has a location system where users can build locations within the program and keep track of inventories across their ranch. Records can be easily moved with cattle as they change locations. Then animals can be filtered and grouped by different criteria using records and data within the system.
“The other thing is our auction platform is really good,” Benyshek adds. “We have a lot of people that use the system to create their auction offering. We put that on GEM, and then on sale day they can do all of the paperwork from GEM. In other words, we check people in by bidder number, then there’s a person on the block who records those bids by bidder number in real time and then they’re immediately ready for checkout with an invoice.”
GEM has additional features like embryo records, semen inventory and a database with records on the people an operation works with or for.
“It’s got a lot of aspects that people like — it’s pretty encompassing,” Benyshek explains. “Some people use everything we’ve got. Some people use just parts of it.”
GEM pricing is a monthly fee based on the number of females aged 14 months and older in the operation with a minimum base price of $60 for 50 head or less. Each additional female is $0.40. Large commercial operations vary in pricing.
One aspect Benyshek takes pride in is GEM’s customer service and building those relationships.
“We keep about 110 to 125 clients routinely on the system, and we provide a lot of customer service. Just the other day I did a three-hour training session with a new client, and we use Zoom meetings to do all of that.”
Groendyke Ranch manager Paul Koffskey uses GEM from a commercial perspective. Groendyke Ranch manages more than 2,000 head in a commercial Angus cow-calf operation using Hereford and Angus bulls. In 2025, they were recognized as the American Hereford Association Commercial Producer of the Year.
“We use as much of [GEM] as we want,” Koffskey explains. “I use it more for performance-based information to go into making decisions on what goes in our commercial bred heifer sale every year and then our feeder calf sales as well.”
Koffskey emphasizes the importance of generating different reports with varying data and details.
“The report function to me is the best aspect,” Koffskey says. “It’s simple once you become familiar with it. From an efficiency standpoint, we’re able to identify animals or bulls or whatever the case may be that are not performing. We’ve increased weaning weights, yearling weights, shortened breeding seasons and increased cow productivity.”
Koffskey adds both Benyshek and John Hough are always available if there is a problem or to answer questions.
“Those two guys and their experience in this industry, they are just a wealth of knowledge,” Koffskey says. “If you’re not using GEM or CattleMax or any of the others out there, you’re leaving money on the table.”
More information on GEM can be found at benyshek-hough.com
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