LIMOUSIN TODAY | Page 24

e y e s l l u B e h t g n i t t i H t e g r a T c i t e of the Gen By Bruce Derksen Successful cow-calf operations aim to produce calves that cattle buyers are eager to purchase. If they don’t, they won’t be calf producers for long. This can be tricky, as depending on their location, local buyers will look for something slightly different than their counterparts on the other side of the country. Some will prefer certain colors, long or short ears, heavy or thin coats, but beyond these random wishes, there are universally accepted and desired traits that will loosen the cattle buyer’s purse strings. These sought-after traits originate in above average and exceptional genetics. Jack Frost, part owner of Springfield Livestock Marketing Center in Springfield, Mo., agrees and states genetics should be at the top of a producer’s to-do list. “I personally think it’s the genetics of the cattle that bring the most value. It always has. Your good cattle will always bring a premium price, whether they are weaned or un-weaned.” Good genetics have been around from the beginning of time, constantly advancing forward to what they constitute today as an essential part of the livestock industry’s foundation. Cattle buyers say this is not likely to change anytime soon. Over the next few years, with the continued push to fine tune profit margins that are always determined by production costs, quality genetics will be even more important. Some go as far as to say “mandatory.” Genetically poor cattle 22 | AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2019