A Year for Advancements

by IBBA Executive Vice President Tommy Perkins, PhD., PAS

Hopefully cattle prices have found the bottom and the year ahead will bring a more stable market. It appears heifer-retention growth has come to a halt in the past two years as more females are going to the feedlot. This suggests a decline in future supply, which indicates an increase in prices over the long haul. We will just have to be patient while striving to monitor the expense side of the equation.

As I have stated in the last several months, now is the time to cull aggressively at the ranch. This is particularly important in bull-calf retention as they require more input costs to get them market ready. If in doubt, castrate them and eliminate the added costs that may not be captured in the future sale price. Retain ownership of these culled steers if you want to learn something about the genetics of your herd. If you need help in procuring a feedlot that will feed small numbers of cattle and still provide you the carcass data at harvest, contact the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA).

Many are still receiving beneficial moisture throughout the country, but we continue to pray for rain in the southeast as they are still seeing effects of their persistent drought conditions. Luckily, most are finding quality hay at a better price than they have seen in the last several years. Others have stockpiled grass throughout the summer and fall months due to beneficial rains earlier in the year.

I would like to thank the entire staff for another great year. They got the job done even when shorthanded and under pressure to do their daily jobs all while moving out of an old building, into and out of a rental facility, and finally into our new home. We still have boxes to unpack, but we are a box closer every day to being done. A big thanks to the membership, board of directors, and building committee for helping us get into an office building that we are proud to call home.

IBBA is nearly two full years into providing a sire summary with genomic enhancement. The membership is the reason this has been a successful process. I appreciate everyone for understanding the importance of collecting the needed DNA samples, and paying the fee to get proper panels run to secure the single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs, necessary to complete the analysis. Your support for the importance of this technology will help amp up the genetic improvement of Brangus cattle. The cut-off date for the February expected progeny difference (EPD) run is set for Jan. 10, 2017; please enter your performance data, which is birth weights, weaning weights, etc., prior to this deadline.

On another note, DNA results included in the May 2017 EPD run must be received by IBBA before Apr. 10. Therefore, DNA samples should be sent to the lab no later than early March to ensure the results have a chance to be available before the data pull. Don’t procrastinate, because there is no way to rush an order through a lab anymore.

I shared an analysis in the January 2015 Brangus Journal concerning the number of calves with weaning weights reported in relation to the number of cows on inventory. I broke it down by state and noted that some states were doing a better job than others. I ran the analysis again, using data from the 2016 year-end stats. I am proud to say that you have improved that percentage by eight points when compared to the 2014 stats. Keep up the effort, but more work is needed to get to the desired 100 percent level. Remember, if you are not reporting a weaning weight or calf disposal code on every cow in your inventory, you are inadvertently skewing the data and ultimately negatively impacting genetic progress. Reporting less than 100 percent of the data negatively impacts the weaning weight ratio, which also negatively impacts the calculated EPD.

I am not suggesting you register 100 percent of your calf crop, but I am asking you to report 100 percent of the data on every cow given a chance to bring a calf in to the weaning pen. You must submit weaning weights, or calf disposal codes, for every calf whether registered or performance only. Remember, submission of weight data does not add additional costs to your total herd reporting bill.

Look for information throughout this journal issue related to the upcoming convention to be held in San Antonio in early February. Your attendance and participation is greatly appreciated and necessary for a stronger Brangus organization. Your input is important, no matter how small or how large your operation may be.

Do not hesitate to call me if you have any specific questions about information included in this column. For information about IBBA programs or other inquiries, please call (210) 696-8231. Stay connected to IBBA through Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, or receive news updates by joining our email list.