Rebuilding the Beef Heard: Harnessing Data and Genetics for a Stronger Future
The U.S. beef industry is at a crossroads. With the national herd primed for rebuilding after a period of drought and market fluctuations, producers have a unique opportunity to set themselves up for success. That success hinges on understanding the shift in market demands and embracing tools that can help producers capitalize on those new trends. During Biz sessions at the 2024 Angus Convention in November, experts emphasized the growing importance of data and genetic selection in navigating this new era.
The Data-Driven Future of Cattle Ranching
Nevil Speer, an industry consultant, pointed out the market’s transition towards quality, data transparency, and production efficiency. “That’s really driving the business,” Speer stated. “That’s what’s going to happen whether it’s herd rebuilding or a business transition, it’s going to evolve in these directions.”
The expert panelists emphasized practical applications for data that goes beyond simply analyzing trends. They highlighted the option to identify clear genetic targets for improvement. The saying, “What gets us from point A to point B are these tools,” resonated throughout the session.
This message resonated with producers like Ryan Noble of Noble Ranch in Yuma, Colorado. Faced with rebuilding his heifer herd after harsh drought conditions, Noble saw this as more than just a recovery story.
“God had a plan for us, and we sold every cow for every dollar we asked for them,” Noble commented. “It was an opportunity for us. We went out seeking high-quality heifer calves. We knew what we wanted to raise.”
Noble’s experience illustrated the value of planning and selection.
“What we’re aiming for is what I call an apology-free cow herd,”rowned he explained. “She’s got the appropriate amount of growth for your environment,” Noble said. “She is going to garner premiums through the next two stages. You put her on feed, you hang her on the rail, she’s going to be successful.”,
Good genetics are indispensable to Noble’s ideal herd, leading him to invest heavily in testing tools and thorough selection. These are survival tools in his demanding environment.
“I figure by the time we end up with a bred heifer, she’s probably lived through five or six sorts on our range,” Noble shared. “If she can make it through all that and become pregnant, that’s when we are ready to invest more money.”
Jimmy Taylor of Taylor Ranch in Cheyenne, Oklahoma, takes a similar blend of data-driven insights. A fervent proponent of data-driven decision-making, he tailored his entire system to maximize genetic progress. “I wanted something where I could get a bonus or premium on every calf,” Taylor recalled. “So we looked around and decided that the best route to do that was raising carcass cattle while raising good replacement heifers.”
Taylor’s approach is methodical. “Less than 10 years ago, our first set of steers were 13% prime,” Taylor explained. “Today, that range is typically 50 to 75% prime. We really got into high gear when, what I called enhanced GeneMax® Advantage™ – 10 traits and percentile rankings in those traits came out in
