Technology Helps Make Better Cows

DODGE CITY, Kan. (DTN) -- Finding what to look for in a replacement heifer shouldn't change too much over time. Investing in the proper future cows of your herd or keeping the right ones back should include using the right technology to identify important traits, according to Kansas veterinarian Randall Spare.

"When I get a new truck, I know just what I want, and it gives me just what I want. It has specifications, very specific specifications, and that is how those in the cattle business need to look at selecting replacement heifers," Spare said during the recent Feeding Quality Forum in Dodge City, Kansas. "Know who your customers are. Some are price takers in this commodity business and take the amount they get for their feeder cattle every October. Then there's also the price makers who add value to everything they do."

CONSIDERATIONS FOR ADDING VALUE

When investing in a cow-calf operation and adding value to cattle, Spare said it is important to consider nutrition, health, temperament and genetics. Nutrition is a major cost of production. Proper management of pasture and rangeland and meeting the cow's needs for nutrition can improve the herd. Adding value through a health program set up for the specific herd and ranch can help make every day of life a good day for the cattle.

"Temperament is important. Sporty cattle don't do anyone any good. I've had plenty of accidents and as I mature and get slower, I've put more of an emphasis on temperament," he added.

Last is adding value through genetics, which Spare said can take more studying and knowing what works on your ranch or what you need to improve on.

USE TECHNOLOGY FOR CHANGES

Several tools are available to help with genetic improvement, including EPDs (expected progeny differences), indexes and genomics.

"We used to compare two sires to each other to know what to use in our cowherd to get the performance we want, but now we need to use the other tools available, too," he said.

He suggested looking at indexes, specifically the economic multi-trait selection tools, to determine specific value of production and determine which cattle should be retained accordingly.

Spare recommended using genomics to identify more than parentage and genetic defects. This can also create EPDs for commercial animals using that process to help determine the animals with a higher return on investment (ROI). This is a tool that can be used by both purebred and commercial producers to help make improvements.

"By using these tools, we can have conversations to initiate changes," he said. "Be willing to make the changes to make a turnaround for improvement. We have predictability if we use the tools to find the premiums. If you don't know how to do that, find someone who can help you get there."

Spare suggested studying EPDs and knowing where your cattle are, then setting goals to make the needed improvements. The goals should reflect on how calves are marketed but should not take away from positives in the herd. Ultimately, making a change to improve the breeder's ROI will improve the overall herd.

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

Follow her on social platform X @JennCattleGal

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