Latest News From Beef Genetics

Evaluating the 5-Year-Old Seedstock Cow: Is She Pulling Her Weight?

In the seedstock business, the bar is higher than in a commercial herd. Registered breeders need more from their cows than just an acceptable calf.

In the seedstock business, the bar is higher than in a commercial herd. Registered breeders need more from their cows than just an acceptable calf.
Evaluating the 5-Year-Old Seedstock Cow: Is She Pulling Her Weight?

In the seedstock business, the bar is higher than in a commercial herd. Registered breeders need more from their cows than just an acceptable calf.

Cows in Missouri graze on a fescue pasture with legumes mixed into the forage.
Missouri Beef Farmers Learn Genetic Science Guides

Science to develop Show-Me-Select replacement heifers keeps growing.

Young Angus bulls grazing Bermuda.
Show-Me-Select Rules Require Genetically Tested Bull EPDs

New sire selection rules for Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifers improve reliable calving-ease genetics.

3 Considerations for Retained Ownership

Cow-calf producers have a number of factors to consider when weighing the decision of retained ownership.

Weather and forage conditions over the next several weeks could have a major impact on female prices this fall.
July Female Market Prices Mixed

Weather and forage conditions over the next several weeks could have a major impact on female prices this fall.

3 Considerations for Retained Ownership
3 Considerations for Retained Ownership

Cow-calf producers have a number of factors to consider when weighing the decision of retained ownership.

Retaining ownership is a coin flip proposition in 2018-19. Despite low feed prices, producers need to watch their breakevens. “Breakeven price is 75% driven by the cost of the cattle,” says John Nalivka, Sterling Marketing.
Toss-Up on Retained Ownership

The risks and rewards of retained ownership are fairly even.

Turning bulls out for breeding on a fall calving herd.
BeefTalk: Let the Cow Save You Money and the Bull Make You Money

Efficient beef production starts when the bull mates with a cow and biological efficiency mates with economic efficiency.

Research continues to demonstrate the impact of maternal nutrition on the developing fetus in beef cattle.
Nutrition at Conception and Early Gestation Influences Gene Expression

Research continues to demonstrate the impact of maternal nutrition on the developing fetus in beef cattle.

The Lost Liters: Rethinking Production Inefficiencies

Whether you measure ranch output by the animal unit or the acre, market weight is undeniably one of the primary factors in cattle profit/loss equations.

Cutting your calving interval from 100 days to 50 should eliminate at least a third of your most inefficient cows.
The Lost Liters: Rethinking Production Inefficiencies

Whether you measure ranch output by the animal unit or the acre, market weight is undeniably one of the primary factors in cattle profit/loss equations.

An Inexpensive but Effective Method for Weaning More Total Pounds
An Inexpensive but Effective Method for Weaning More Total Pounds

There seems to be several misconceptions about implementing a crossbreeding system in commercial cow herds.

BIF President Donnell Brown, from R.A. Brown Ranch, Throckmorton, Texas, (left) presents Craig Huffhines with the BIF Pioneer Award.
BIF Honors Craig Huffhines

Craig Huffhines helped launch the Certified Hereford Beef branded program, and went on to become executive vice president of the American Hereford Association (AHA) in 1997.

Small and midsized beef operations can find opportunities to profit.
Future of Beef Revisited: Midsize Challenges

Small and midsized beef operations can find opportunities to profit.

Heritability Estimates of Fertility in Replacement Heifers
Heritability Estimates of Fertility in Replacement Heifers

“Heritability” is that portion of the difference in the performance of cattle that is due to genetics.

Research has shown that calves from cows that shed their winter hair coat earlier tend to weigh more at weaning.
How Are They Shedding?

Research has shown that calves from cows that shed their winter hair coat earlier tend to weigh more at weaning.

CAB Insider: Quality Premiums Soar

Starting out the month of May, we dove headlong into the seasonal market with a widening Choice/Select price spread.

Starting out the month of May, we dove headlong into the seasonal market with a widening Choice/Select price spread.
CAB Insider: Quality Premiums Soar

Starting out the month of May, we dove headlong into the seasonal market with a widening Choice/Select price spread.

Cow Disposition Affects Pregnancy Rate
Cow Disposition Affects Pregnancy Rate

Now we have another good excuse to cull cows due to bad temperament.

Using Artificial Insemination in Very Warm Weather
Using Artificial Insemination in Very Warm Weather

As the breeding season for spring calving herds is now underway, understanding heat stress in cattle takes on increased importance.

Drought conditions and wildfires in the southern Plains have erased any ideas of expansion in the region, further pressuring female prices.
April Female Markets Slightly Lower

Drought conditions and wildfires in the southern Plains have erased any ideas of expansion in the region, further pressuring female prices.

New technology can't replace the legacy and necessity of the ranch horse. On the King Ranch, maintaining that prized remuda of mares is as important as spring rain.
Wareham: The Ranch Horse is Not Obsolete

New technology can't replace the legacy and necessity of the ranch horse. On the King Ranch, maintaining that prized remuda of mares is as important as spring rain.

John Maday, Editor, Bovine Veterinarian
Bring in the Clones

Sci-fi fans know the familiar image: sinister duplicates emerging fully grown from mysterious tanks, dripping wet, fully aware and definitely up to no good. Clones.

Data from every production phase guides JX Ranch in quest for beef quality.
Data Drives Decisions on JX Ranch

Data from every production phase guides JX Ranch in quest for beef quality.

Wareham: Use of Cattle Technology Can Propel You Forward

New technologies will never be in short supply. Some will forever change how we raise top quality cattle and beef.

Using ultrasound technology to fetal sex pregnancies is rapidly expanding.
Wareham: Use of Cattle Technology Can Propel You Forward

New technologies will never be in short supply. Some will forever change how we raise top quality cattle and beef.

Gardiner Angus Ranch’s 39th annual spring production sale saw a total of 809 lots sold for a total of $6,004,100, with an average of $7,242.
Gardiner Angus Ranch Bulls Average $7,285

Gardiner Angus Ranch’s 39th annual spring production sale saw a total of 809 lots sold for a total of $6,004,100, with an average of $7,242.

Young Angus bulls grazing Bermuda.
Early Path to Quality Beef

The time required to influence your herd’s genetic potential is measured in years, so managing for quality is always important.

When looking at structure in cattle they should have 45° angles at important bone joints like the hock and shoulder, with a functional top-line.
Bull Buying Considerations: Structural Soundness

When looking at structure in cattle they should have 45° angles at important bone joints like the hock and shoulder, with a functional top-line.

Have your shopping list ready before making a bull purchase. Focus on what your breeding or marketing goals will be for the calves sired by the bull.
Bull Buying Considerations: Trait Selection

Have your shopping list ready before making a bull purchase. Focus on what your breeding or marketing goals will be for the calves sired by the bull.

Bull Management Prior to the Breeding Season
Bull Management Prior to the Breeding Season

Before the breeding season begins, a few simple management procedures involving the bulls can increase the likelihood of a high pregnancy percentage among the cows.

What Are Your Priorities?
What Are Your Priorities?

Do the type of cattle that you produce adequately target your chosen market?

Do Some Selection Tools Result in Unintended Consequences?
Do Some Selection Tools Result in Unintended Consequences?

Commercial breeders can draw on more selection tools than ever before to improve the next generation of cows to match the market and ranch environments.

The very narrow spread between CAB and Choice product, reduced even further from last week, represents a great buying opportunity for the premium brand.
CAB Insider: Cutout Values Take Another Sharp Increase

The very narrow spread between CAB and Choice product, reduced even further from last week, represents a great buying opportunity for the premium brand.

Cow-calf producers have EPDs and index tools to make genetic selection decisions related to traits that impact levels of productivity and longevity.
Cattle Genetics: Where’s Optimum?

Cow-calf producers have EPDs and index tools to make genetic selection decisions related to traits that impact levels of productivity and longevity.

good cattle feet hoof hooves Cheramie Viator
Evaluation of Feet and Legs Important for Cattle Longevity

A cow’s mobility is crucial for its health, productivity,  and longevity in the herd.

Producers need to use the management and genetics that fit their operation and adapt accordingly.
BeefTalk: Do Not Be Afraid to Moderate Cow Size, But Select Good Bulls

Producers need to use the management and genetics that fit their operation and adapt accordingly.

Bigger and bigger cows may not be the best option.
BeefTalk: Finding the Right Cow Size is Not Simple

Bigger and bigger cows may not be the best option.

National Cattle Evaluation has never been static, and future changes are inevitable as science continues to advance.
Changes to National Cattle Evaluation Benefits Bulls Buyers in 2018

National Cattle Evaluation has never been static, and future changes are inevitable as science continues to advance.

Now may be the time to get a handle on the perpetual size race.
BeefTalk: Bull Selection for Moderate Growth?

Now may be the time to get a handle on the perpetual size race.

With genetically enhanced EPDs, the added DNA speeds improving traits, whether for maternal or meat market ends.
Easy Use of DNA Data Enhances Cow Herd's Growing Quality Beef

With GE-EPDs, the added DNA speeds improving traits, whether for maternal or meat market ends. Beef-cow herd owners will learn new ways to raise better calves at three University of Missouri meetings in March.

Angus Bull Sells For All-Time Record Price

A 14-month-old Angus bull became the highest-priced bull ever sold at public auction last week, fetching $800,000 from two ranchers based in Missouri and Oklahoma. The previous record, set just last year, was $750,000.

A 14-month-old Angus bull became the highest-priced bull ever sold at public auction last week, fetching $800,000 from two ranchers based in Missouri and Oklahoma. The previous record, set just last year, was $750,000.
Angus Bull Sells For All-Time Record Price

A 14-month-old Angus bull became the highest-priced bull ever sold at public auction last week, fetching $800,000 from two ranchers based in Missouri and Oklahoma. The previous record, set just last year, was $750,000.

AGI launches the first foot score research EPDs in the U.S. beef industry.
Angus Genetics, Inc., Announces Foot Score Research EPDs

Angus Genetics, Inc., launches the first foot score research EPDs in the U.S. beef industry.

In a light test at auction, December bred heifers posted $13 per head gains over November averages and finished 2017 about $55 per head lower than 2016.
Bred Heifer Markets Lone Bright Spot in December

In a light test at auction, December bred heifers posted $13 per head gains over November averages and finished 2017 about $55 per head lower than 2016.

Cow-Calf Cost Breakdown: Breeding Expense
Cow-Calf Cost Breakdown: Breeding Expense

Nebraska Extension has developed an Excel® spreadsheet titled the “Breeding Cost Cow-Q-Lator.”

Planned Breeding Schedules Pay Dividends for Beef Producers
Planned Breeding Schedules Pay Dividends for Beef Producers

Financial opportunities can be found in designing strong breeding and forage/pasture plans for beef cattle herds, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist.

BeefTalk: Use the Numbers When Bull Buying
BeefTalk: Use the Numbers When Bull Buying

Expected progeny differences are the best selection tool to help beef operations meet future goals.

Genetic Selection Requires Every Tool in the Bag
Genetic Selection Requires Every Tool in the Bag

Building a cowherd, like any other skilled trade, requires discipline, patience and a tool belt full of resources.