From Inconsistency to Consistency: How Genetic Testing is Revolutionizing Commercial Cattle Selection Strategies

Question of the Week: What’s on your cull list?

Let’s take time to think about this literally and figuratively.

Literally, what is on your cull list for cows, heifers or bulls? It’s too easy to let cattle slip through the cracks for another year only to cause more problems. Whether it is bad feet or udders, disposition or they just never raise calves that perform; they need to go. 

Write down what you do NOT stand for and will NOT allow to be in your herd. Make the decision black and white for when cull day happens.

Figuratively, what needs to go on your ranch or in your life? Is it removing an old limiting belief? Do you need to prune some people out of your life? Do you need to let go of an entity or side business that isn’t serving you anymore?

Write down where you want to be, what you need to get there and who you need to help you do that. Reflect on if the what and who are in line with the where.

From Inconsistency to Consistency: How Genetic Testing is Revolutionizing Commercial Cattle Selection Strategies - Featuring Ryan Ludvigson and Jed Hutchison

Marketing replacement heifers and bred heifers can be a great method of diversifying your income stream for your operation and increasing profits. However, knowing how to display the value of these heifers to potential customers is a critical component of making it successful.

Jed Hutchison – a member of the Zoetis Beef Genetics team – and Ryan Ludvigson – a partner in Ludvigson Stock Farms and Orion Beef Group – share how they’ve seen commercial cattle producers market females successfully with genetic testing through the Zoetis INHERIT Select® program. Hutchison and Ludvigson dive into what the program is, how to apply this information and why it’s important to take steps in this direction sooner rather than later. 

What is Zoetis’ INHERIT Select?

INHERIT Select is a simple DNA test that provides commercial cattle producers with valuable genetic insights about the individual animals in their herd. Cattle producers simply take a small tissue sample from the ear of an animal and send it to the lab. About four weeks after the lab receives the DNA samples, the results are delivered electronically showing 20 different traits, 3 indexes and breed composition.

“In the past, we’ve had different tools for selection and phenotypic traits that we’ve looked at to select replacement heifers, but now we have an actual DNA test to tell us which animals are the most economical or advantageous for specific traits,” said Hutchison. 

While producers can decide to take the DNA sample and use the information at any time, most find it easiest when they’re handling cattle. Some do it at birth, while others wait for weaning or BANGs vaccinating. This DNA test allows cattle producers to look at each heifer’s terminal, maternal and overall strengths by using the three indexes provided.

“We tested 1,950 commercial females for our bull customers and other commercial cattlemen. This test really provides a wealth of information on commercial cattle even though there hasn’t been near the performance and pedigree records kept compared to seedstock animals,” said Ludvigson.

How Can Cattle Producers Act on this Information?

So you receive your genetic insights, now what? Cattle producers can use INHERIT Select to decide which heifers to keep, sell or maybe even feed. This test doesn’t mean you should throw phenotype out the window. Structure and physical appearance still matter but it isn’t everything.

“Two heifers that look similar from a phenotypic standpoint can be vastly different when you look at their genetics. Once you sort for structure and phenotype, this test can help you pick your best replacements. In the past, we only had phenotype and a little pedigree data to select heifers with. Having these DNA profiles allows you to sort for more differences,” said Ludvigson. 

This information is valuable for both producers developing heifers and those purchasing heifers.

“Realistically, cattle are going to perform on a bell curve where you have your top 25%, middle 50% and bottom 25%. It’s not necessarily trying to capture the top end but more so discovering which ones are going to cost me more money. Developing heifers is a major expense for ranchers. This helps mitigate that expense and risk,” said Hutchison.

As a cattle producer, you need to know what you are keeping and what you are buying when margins are tight.

Why Commercial Cow-Calf Producers Should Think About Moving in this Direction?

Why should commercial cattlemen consider genetic testing when they traditionally select on phenotype alone? Genetic predictions can give you the opportunity to distinguish yourself from other breeders and accelerate progress within your own herd.

“This is the next step of really being on the cutting edge of doing things. You select high-quality bulls. You have a solid herd health program. You are a good steward of the land and now this is next. With higher cattle prices you now have the opportunity to invest in your herd with this technology and long-term dividends that come from it,” said Ludvigson.

Genetic testing your heifers can also help you understand the steers you are selling too.

“The information you receive from your heifers is going to mirror your steers too. If you aren’t putting emphasis on selecting high-quality bulls, we are going to see a widening on these cattle and price segmentation as feedlots and other cattle buyers start making more decisions based on this data. You are going to be farther ahead by starting now,” said Ludvigson.

The future of the beef industry will be impacted by data and genomics are an important part of that. While we don’t need to be exactly like other protein industries, they have already shown us how the model works.

“I really think buyers are going to be making more and more selections based on genetics. It also provides an opportunity for people with higher-quality cattle on the genetic side to receive higher prices and premiums for putting in the extra effort to raise cattle on the top end,” said Hutchison.

While cattle prices are high now and anticipated to stay high, eventually the cycle will drop. How will you use the extra income you have now and prepare yourself to receive the price you deserve even when markets drop? Will you take steps this year to be proactive and advance your operation? Learn more about INHERIT Select at beefgenetics.com