Build Back Better – Replacement Heifer Series – Article 8
The opportunity to make our next generation of cows a better fit to our production system and genetically capable of creating more profit potential is historically unprecedented. More tools are available to assist cattle breeders in this quest than ever before. The series of “Build Back Better” articles over the past two months have been written to target the cow-calf producers who are motivated by sustainable profit. Regardless of the size of your operation, a deep dive into the unique characteristics of your own production system is important to inform selection and mating decisions. Identifying breeding goals as well as prudent selection and mating decisions can result in a cowherd that yields more beef per acre of pasture, reduces your maintenance cost and serves as the production factory of market topping calves.
Consider the current performance metrics of your cowherd. Quantifiable measurements should be used to assess the efficiency of your business. And, measuring current levels of cowherd productivity helps identify where genetic improvement is needed. Collect, calculate and evaluate the following:
– What is the average weight of your 4 to 7 year old cows?
– What is the average weight of your weaned calves?
– Are calf birth dates clustered in the early part of the calving season or more widely spread out?
– What is your Percent Crop Weaned?
– On a whole herd basis, what percentage of their mature weight are your cows weaning off?
– What is the length of your calving season?
Guidance for calculating these performance metrics is available in Chapter 4 of the Eight Edition of the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Beef Cattle Manual.
While this has been addressed from a standpoint of genetics and animal breeding, it is also important to consider other components of your production system over which you have management control. For example:
– – If you have put selection pressure on post-weaning growth and carcass traits over the long-term and sell your calves at weaning, are you documenting the calves genetic potential to grow, grade and yield for the next owner? Is it economically feasible for you to retain ownership of your calves? Are you capturing the full value of your investment in the genetic potential you have created?
– If you have a sound vaccination protocol and typically background weaned calves for at least 45 days prior to selling, have you documented these management practices to the fullest extent possible to capture the full value of your good management?
