From the Field
Marketing the Limousin Advantage
with the IGS Feeder Profit
Calculator™
By Nathan Smith, NALF regional manager
As we enter fall we enter one
of the times of year that matter
most to almost everyone that
participates in the beef industry,
the yearly calf run. A time
when cow calf producers and
buyers sit down either privately,
online or in sale barns across
the country with one goal in
mind; to establish the market
for a product. In this case that
product is the culmination of
close to 500 days, hundreds
of dollars of countless inputs
including feed, labor, vaccine’s
and most importantly genetics.
Markets are currently steady
or improving. Looking forward
analytics and market forecasts
indicate a strengthened
demand for high quality calves.
So how do those participating
in the market tell the difference
between a high-quality
product and calves that are
of average or lower quality?
Not long ago it was strictly
based on upon hide color,
horn status and what could be
evaluated with just the human
eye. As the feeding industry
changed to a margin business
the need for data was no longer
a luxury it was demanded.
Recent years brought about
the development of value-
added programs promoting
preconditioning to fill this need
giving buyers the power to
pay for the basic knowledge
of knowing what the health
status of a set of calves. While
industry experts agree that
animal health is by far the
most important factor in the
profitability of feeder animals
until now the second most
significant aspect, genetic
merit, could not be measured.
genetics you provide and the
management practices you have
encouraged. Understanding
this critical link between the
commercial marketing and
registered genetics, North
American Limousin Foundation
strives to maintain a strong
partnership with International
Genetic Solutions (IGS). What is
International Genetic Solutions?
IGS by its definition and purpose
as quoted from their site is “An
unprecedented
collaboration
Today that access to an
between
unprecedented amount of
progressive
breed
data gives you the power to
associations
know rather than guess the
to enhance
beef industry
genetic value of Limousin
profitability” or
simply put 12
influence calves...
progressive
Now I know that some are
breed organizations working
asking how do these situations
together to provide members
apply to me? I simply provide
with industry leading genomic
my customers with registered
information. How this ties back
genetics. Regardless of your
to commercial marketing is that
position in the industry, your
International Genetic Solutions
genetic contribution will at
and their access to a beef
some point be marketed as
genomics database of over 18
a commercial beef product.
million head have created the
Therefore, when your
IGS Feeder Profit Calculator™.
customers succeed in the
This is a tool evaluates the
commercial marketplace it is
genetic merit of Limousin
due to the influence of both the
influenced and all mainstream
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