Stop trying to get maximum production. No more topping last year’s average daily gains, enough with the peak efficiencies and quit angling for record marbling scores every time.
Does that advice cause a pause?
Reaching those goals takes years of focus, so it can be hard to let go, even if the long-term profitability of your farm or ranch depends on it. Of course in an ideal world, producers could maximize all of those. They could push the cattle as hard as they wanted, use all the technologies available and in the end have a superior product. In reality, it’s hard to get the most of everything there is, and it could be better to get the best of everything.
Heroic focus on one or two worthy numbers, such as yield or quality grade, can be an Achilles’ heel in itself. A producer exclusively devoted to planning for the most efficient critter might lose sight of overall beef demand and consumers’ preference for high quality. On the other hand, someone who is too narrowly focused on quality grade to include profit planning might find too few pounds of beef to sell at the end of the road to pay for feed and other inputs.
The trick is to balance all important goals while trying to move the needle forward. That’s not a novel concept, but everyone knows somebody—and it could be somebody in the mirror—who admits to lifting one priority or another beyond reason.
Those who are attentive to efficiency might watch numbers like average daily gain, weight per day of age and the feed-to-gain ratio. Implants and beta-agonists may be employed—the more potent the better, as long as they inch up the efficiency. A feed-to-gain ratio in the high 4s and low 5s is impressive in production circles, but diners couldn’t care less. If the efficiency came at the expense of their eating experience, it’s a net loss for everyone.
On the other side of the fence might be the cattleman whose lifetime achievement goal is a load of 100 percent premium Choice and Prime steers. Implants? No way, no matter how mild; if they could have some effect on quality, he’s not touching them. A steak lover is enjoying his beef, but the feeder says it takes too many resources to pencil out.
The common ground between these producers is health and nutrition. No matter the end goal, those two things have to be in line for success. Both gain and grade will be casualties in a health wreck.
Although few producers have exclusive targets, most lean one way or another. The most profitable plan could be not aiming for the maximum in a category, but rather the optimum across the board. Perhaps that means easing up on the growth technologies and giving up a little gain to get the grade. It could mean infusing some growth genetics into your herd, even if that includes having to hold the line on quality for a year or two.
The idea is to make sure you’re considering all outcomes and looking at every relevant number, while continually looking for new relevance. That total-picture approach could lead to a well-rounded herd that addresses all the industry concerns. Producers across the U.S. are proving that it’s possible to have it all—quality, yield and efficiency. It just takes a 360-degree look in all directions.
Next time in Black Ink, Steve Suther will look at some questions you should ask yourself. Meanwhile, if you have questions for us, call toll-free at 877-241-0717 or e-mail mreiman@certifiedangusbeef.com.
Livestock
Focusing on balance in the beef cow herd
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Use ear tags to their fullest potential
Numbered ear tags appear in the ears of a high percentage of cows and calves in southwest Missouri. They are obviously put there for a reason but some producers may not be using the full potential of those tags for herd management.
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Leveling the bovine-fertility playing field
Research from the University of Missouri reproductive scientist identifies faulty sperm and takes them out of the equation for artificial insemination (AI) of cattle.
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Economics of de-worming spring born calves
A much higher value of added gain means that management practices that may have been marginal in profitability in the past now have tremendous advantages. One such practice is the de-worming of spring born calves.
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Some clues to beef herd rebuilding
In the aftermath of last year’s drought, it is taking some time to determine where the industry is with respect to stopping herd liquidation and beginning the process of herd rebuilding.
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Show-Me-Select heifer sale slated
The sale of fall-calving, Show-Me-Select heifers will be held at 7 p.m., May 18, at the Joplin Regional Stockyards in Carthage.
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Forage testing can save money
Soil test may save fertilizer dollars and forage testing may save supplement costs for livestock.
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Beef demand will be market driver over next few months
Part of the concern right now is overall demand for beef. Beef exports have been generally flat compared to last year, as has the dollar index.
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Water management leads to healthy herds
Water is a crucial aspect of any cattle operation, and with last year’s drought still fresh in their memories, producers should be prepared if history repeats itself.
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Pasture erosion control important
It’s already evident that streambanks can be protected with cost-effective measures such as one- and two-sided fencing. Streambanks can re-establish vegetation all by themselves.
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Management Intensive Grazing Schools begin in April
Several Management-intensive Grazing (MiG) Schools will be held in southwest Missouri during 2012 at a variety of locations.
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Use ear tags to their fullest potential
