EPDS VS. ACTUAL DATA
There is a lot of hype out there about EPDs, genomic testing and carcass traits. We believe in the use of all of these genetic enhancement tools. We also know that you can ruin a good cowherd in a blink of an eye if you chase paper traits with no directive or focus put on the mother cow and what it takes to keep her in production with as few inputs as possible. There are breeding programs that only provide EPDs with no actual data. Be careful, at times these cattle might not offer a total package, the upkeep, loss of production, and lack of fertility may cost more than the rewards. Every breeder has the actual data, we believe that as a customer you deserve to access it, if it isn’t there, ask for it. Any competent breeder
shouldn’t be afraid to share it. Raw data such as actual birth weights, 205 wts., 365 wts. and performance data and indexes allow you to observe how an animal has performed within his contemporary group. It shows you his potential to sire calves that may increase or decrease certain traits. There are way too many cattle out there with excellent EPDs and dollar indexes that are not worthy of anything but a castrating knife. You can breed for all the highest EPDs and indexes in the world, but if you sacrifice cow efficiency, foot structure, fleshing ability, maternal and physical traits, such as udder quality, along with an animal’s ability to produce pay weight, all you will gain is a cull cow with good EPDs.
OUR COW HERD
They are a useful easy fleshing bunch. They are as consistent in type and kind, as you will find. Just like the bulls we offer not much variance from top to bottom. Their consistency will rivel any program. Our mission is to make our worst cow as good as our best. We don’t have a favorite cow and we don’t make excuses for any of them. If they fail to stay productive or get bred, they go to town and tour the inside of a packing plant. Udder quality, ease of handling, fertility, and the ability to stay easy fleshing without extra care or pampering is a must. Our cows must be able to withstand tough harsh weather conditions whether it is the extreme cold or heat. These cows have one mission and that is to bring a top quality calf to the weaning pen. We do not do any embryo transplant, but truly feel that our herd runs deep with donor quality females. One thing I have a problem with is when I hear, oh she was open, so we decided to flush her. I wonder why anyone would want to multiply poor fertility. Our
herd bull battery is rock solid. We are very aggressive when acquiring bull power. We seek top bulls from top cow families from top programs around the nation, but feel the need to buy genetics that come from operations with weather conditions similar to our environment. We run a very aggressive AI program, breeding over 450 females every year. We don’t go crazy over the next hot bull and use a lot of proven genetics, but always sampling new breeding options that show promise. When we find a bull that works, you will find his service for several years. We feel strongly in using bulls that are proven and sire consistency. There are a lot of bull stores out there with a lot of different options. The folks behind every program are what makes the difference. We would like to believe we offer the best in genetic value and service. We are the outfit with a true genetic blend that will keep your cowherd profitable.
NO TIME TO LET UP
We hear so many say, it doesn’t matter if our calves were light, they bring a lot of money per pound. As we begin to rebuild America’s cow herd, ask yourself “IS IT MY COWS OR MY CALVES THAT PAY THE BILLS!” For the past 10 to 20 years, we have heard a lot of chatter about carcass traits. Many have put a very high emphasis on them. Yes, it is very important to produce cattle that are end product oriented. But overemphasis on terminal trait selections doesn’t necessarily have the cow/calf man’s best interest in mind. Carcass selection is necessary but remember it is a terminal trait. Most cow/calf men rarely capture the rewards. It is a well-known fact that terminal traits are antagonistic to maternal traits. Many have found out the hard way that their cow herds have become less efficient, productive, and profitable. Is a small premium today worth jeopardizing your cowherd. A good balance of all traits is the key. Don’t sacrifice your own cowherd by over emphasizing any single trait. Just remember THERE IS NO GOOD OR BAD EPDS. They are designed to help you increase profitability by making it easier to increase or decrease and improve efficiency traits that need adjusted. Just remember extremes are not always desirable or profitable EPD’s are no different. The highest or biggest number does not always offer the best efficiency or outcome. It takes more than a set of computer generated numbers to create a balanced program. First of all, choose genetics that complement your environment. Choose a program that
puts in the extra effort and is built by the owners and operators that calve the cows and do the day to day work. They are the ones that understand how to use a common sense approach. They understand how to blend the genetics to add value WHETHER THE HIDE IS ON OR OFF. First of all, the cowherd must be sustainable. It is important to understand that all cows are not created equally. There are vast differences in cowherd efficiencies, fertility, longevity, her fleshing ability, cow size, udder quality, calving ease, dispositions, foot quality, and a cow’s ability to withstand extreme temperatures, both hot and cold. Some cows are better mothers and better calf raisers. The perfect cow must be efficient, sensible sized, easy fleshing, fertile, and problem free. She must be able to survive the tough times with as little extra imputes and labor as possible. She must be productive and produce the performance and pounds to pay the bills. Small calves bring a lot of money per pound, but always come up short compared to efficient heavy calves at sale time, at times over $300 per head difference. Calves from efficient cows put more money in the bank, it is just that plain and simple. So ask yourself again, is it your cows or your calves that pay the bills. At Begger’s Diamond V Ranch, we use a well-blended common sense approach that is profit driven to generate dollars and cents. So, the cow-calf man, the feeders, and the packers will all stay profitable and the consumer can enjoy the results. We invite you to come reap the rewards.
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