Mimeo AS-328 March, 1965
Beef Cattle Improvement
Lowell L. Wilson, K. G. MacDonald, H. H. Mayo and K. J. Drewry, Animal Sciences Department
Our beef industry has seen many improvements in the past 50 years . These changes have been brought about by the changing desires of all people involved with the beef industry; purebred breeders, commercial calf producers, cattle feeders, packers, retailers, and finally, the consumers .
Generally, people involved with different phases of beef production have been primarily interested in improving only those traits which directly affect their profits or satisfy their desires. This is understandable. But one "weak-link" in this beef production chain could very well cause a large economic loss to every other part of the beef industry.
On the other hand, certain improvements in our beef cattle can increase the profits for everyone concerned.
Let's look at some of the factors which affect beef consumption and beef cattle profits. Let’s look at how each person involved in production is affected. And, let’s look briefly at how each factor can be improved. Here, listed in order of benefit to the entire beef industry, are traits that should be improved.
Fertility and Calving Percent
Many herds, commercial and purebred, annually wean calves from less than 75 percent of their cows . Weaning percentage has a terrific affect on overall cow herd Profits. For instance, if a 100-cow herd
produced 95 calves selling for $125.00 per head, each of the 100 cows would have produced a gross of $118.75. However, if only 75 calves were sold, each of the 100 cows would have produced a gross of $93.75. This is a difference of $25.00 per cow or $2500.00 for the 100-cow herd.
How can calving percent be improved? By proper nutrition and care of the herd bull and cows in addition to close observation of the cow herd. It is important to remember that feeding too much may be as detrimental to fertility as feeding too little. Other practices such as keeping breeding records and making pregnancy checks are also of great value. Carrying an open cow through the winter is costly.
Growth Rate and Feed Efficiency
Growth rate and feed efficiency are almost one and the same; that is, the fast gaining animals are generally the more efficient users of feed. Feedlot gain and feed efficiency can make or break the cattle feeder.
Both gain and efficiency can be readily improved by selecting animals sired by fast-gaining bulls. Widespread use of performance and progeny testing to compare the real value of possible herd sires can result in better beef cattle for all parts of the beef industry.
Proportion of High-Quality Lean Meat
This is the final criterion of the value of any meat animal. Consumer acceptance
Beef Section • Animal Sciences Department Cooperative Extension Service, PURDUE UNIVERSITY, Lafayette, Indiana