Jeff Hale has lived on the same gravel road his entire life.
And while that statement might elicit thoughts of a man afraid of change, it would be wildly inaccurate.
Instead, he’s using the latest technology to help build a cow herd — and legacy — that will stand the test of time. Just like his passion to get it right.
“This land and operation were passed down to me, and I want to make sure it can be passed down again,” Hale says.
J and J Hale Farms in Atchison, Kan., began with Jeff’s grandparents. His grandmother is still involved today as a landowner. The operation includes corn and soybeans, plus a 140-head cow-calf herd that’s primarily SimAngus. It’s a multi-generational effort. His parents, James and Carol, are partners, along with his wife, Tiffany. Brother-in-law Andrew Peuker serves as the farm’s mechanic, while Andrew’s wife, Kelly, and their son, Remington, help with daily tasks like hauling seed and moving equipment.
Hale started farming with his dad in 2004 after college. In 2012, they introduced artificial insemination (AI) to improve the quality of heifers retained and gather more data on individual cows. They calve in a tight window — usually from mid-February to April 1 — relying heavily on timed AI for about 80% of the cows and all the replacement heifers. In the fall, they buy feeder calves to background alongside their own calves.
“We treated it a lot like row crops,” he explains. “Row crops have yield monitors and variable rate everything. We’ve taken that philosophy to the livestock side.”
They weigh calves at weaning and after 100 days on feed, crunching numbers in spreadsheets to study trends. This data-driven approach led them to Zoetis Inherit Select in 2021.
The ‘Get it Right’ Business
“We started using Inherit Select to help improve the cow herd and determine which females need to stay,” Hale says. “With multiple sires in pastures, knowing exact parentage was key. We use it now solely to select our females.”
As a closed herd with minimal outside influence beyond breeding bulls, Hale relies on the commercial EPDs and indexes provided through Inherit Select.
“The carcass traits, maternal traits — it’s all very valuable,” he notes.
They test all of the heifer calves at 100 days on feed, around early January, when they’re already running through the chute for weighing and tagging.
Hale says incorporating the test was seamless. “It takes no time,” he says. “We were already running them through the chute.”
When the Inherit Insights report arrives — usually within 30 to 45 days — Hale focuses on cow-calf indexes for maternal performance, milking ability and docility. Carcass traits are gaining emphasis as the herd matures.
“We’ve realized we have to focus more on carcass traits if that’s a route we’re going,” he says. “Feedlot performance, too.”
Before Inherit Select, selections were visual and based on assumed parentage.
“We think this heifer was born out of this sire — let’s retain her,” Hale recalls. Now, data drives decisions. “If she’s in the top one-third for the indexes, she’s definitely going to be kept unless there’s an attitude issue.”
The benefits are clear after four years. “The consistency in calves,” Hale emphasizes. Before using Inherit Select, the weaning and 100-day weights showed wide ranges, even excluding outliers. Now, it’s a tight window from top to bottom.
This uniformity extends to carcass data. Recently they harvested a load of steers, confirming the predictions from Inherit: high performance but room for carcass improvement. “We’re still building the right cow herd,” Hale says. “But we’re getting close to where we can implement more carcass genetics.”
He sees parallels between his row-crop data use and livestock precision. “We’re in the ‘get it right’ business,” Hale says. “It has to be profitable.”
Weighing individuals reveals trends but Inherit adds depth. “The heaviest calves follow the same cow families year over year,” Hale explains. “But when retaining daughters, some didn’t follow through.”
Inherit also benchmarks against other commercial herds, assigning predicted dollar values.
“You can see how you compare. If you’re $10 behind then make changes; or $60, $70 ahead and don’t change anything,” Hale says. “$60 or $70 is real money. In times where it’s tight, every dollar counts.”
And now, it’s perhaps even more important to make heifer retention choices based on data, not just looks.
Rebuild Right
As U.S. herds hover at historic lows, signs of rebuilding emerge. Heifer placements in feedlots are down, and Kent Andersen, Zoetis Precision Animal Health
director of global beef genetic technical services, predicts a gradual uptick.
“We’re just on the cusp of very minor rebuilding,” he says. “It depends on geography and rain, but indicators show we’re starting to keep back a few more.”
In this environment, replacement costs eclipse even feed expenses, he says.
“Historically, the two biggest costs are feed and replacements,” Andersen notes. “Right now, replacements are probably the biggest.”
Andersen adds Inherit helps producers by efficiently selecting heifers with a predicted 3-to-1 or higher return on investment (ROI).
Lane Giess, Zoetis Precision Animal Health beef genetics technical services manager, echoes the long-term focus. “There’s a lot of cash floating around, and a herd rebuild is likely happening soon,” he says. “How do I set my herd up in the best position possible? Inherit has a whole lot of value because you can use it to help make better retention decisions.”
He adds, “Commercial producers think they have to collect a bunch of phenotype data like weights to get predictions — that’s not the case with Inherit. It’s a simple application and relatively affordable. You also get information like genetic conditions and breed composition that you wouldn’t get with just phenotype reporting.”
For Hale, ROI is easily seen. The test expense at $25-$30 per head, is a fraction of the cost of raising and developing the heifers.
“Instead of 500-lb. calves at $4, now it’s 550 lb. because you’ve added 50 lb. by reducing the number of lighter weight calves,” he explains.
And the heifers they opt to sell instead of keep in the herd? They can still feel good about what they are selling. “We’re not sending somebody a dud,” Hale says. “We can assure them she’s had the right testing. She’s not going to be a problem — she just doesn’t fit us and the goals for our herd.”
As rebuilding accelerates, Hale warns of subpar cows flooding the market.
“You’re going to have cows out there that should not be cows,” he says. “With so many more dollars invested, this test is invaluable during heifer selection.”
Using Inherit Select results to help match the right AI sires and quality clean-up bulls, amplifies results. “If we start with high quality genetics, Inherit will show which ones are right for us,” Hale says.
His goal? A herd where every female sells as a replacement and every steer draws packer demand.
“Inherit Select is going to continue to be part of our program to make sure we’re utilizing every aspect,” he says. “The goal is to pass the operation down to the next generation while still producing a profitable product.”
In an industry poised for growth, tools like Inherit help ensure that herds aren’t just rebuilt — they’re built better. For Hale, it’s about legacy on that same gravel road. Visit beefgenetics.com to connect with a team member to learn more about Inherit Select.
