continued from page 12
Just as important to achieving those quality levels is achieving quality grade on a cost efficient basis given high feed cost and current drought conditions . The industry needs cattle that can achieve both of these factors in their genetic makeup and that ’ s where Limousin and Lim-Flex can capitalize moving forward .
We are feeding cattle longer in addition to producing much larger outweights than ever before . To do that requires enough genetic potential for cattle to remain efficient on their dry matter conversions to achieve the larger outweights . That trend will not likely reverse given the fact most packers will demand larger carcass weights in spite of high feed cost as it increases production efficiencies at their packing houses .
NALF is seeing more members begin to gather individual feed intake data that will be important to not only NALF members database but critical to the future of remaining efficient in the beef production systems throughout the U . S . High feed cost will most likely remain the norm in the future . Superior dry matter conversions will remain in high demand as we move forward given the fact that nearly 65 % of the cost of production is feed cost .
Look for the inclusion of a dry matter feed conversion EPD at IGS in the future to measure this important trait moving forward . As always , as we mate cattle to achieve a set of balanced EPDs we must not single trait select .
Sometimes we hear the debate of what traits are most critical to the beef industry . The fact of the matter remains , they all are .
OKLAHOMA PRIDE PRODUCTS
Visit Our New Website oklahomaprideproducts . com
6 Ft . 90 Bushel Single Axle Feeder with Creep Pens
12 Ft . Feed Bunk
Since 1969 & Still Strong
Commercial beef producers have extreme operational risk whether they are in the cow / calf sector or feedyard business . Part of the risk elimination come in the form of a complete superior genetic packages that can be utilized by both sectors and ultimately the packer and consumer .
Most in the commercial cattle feeding industry still prefer the crossbred animal to obtain the heterosis advantages for both feeding performance and improved carcass merit as it relates to both quality and yield grade . Limousin and Lim-Flex cattle can accomplish this in a crossbreeding program on English-based cows better than anyone when superior genetics are utilized in the commercial cattle industry that your breed can supply .
All this has to be accomplished while still maintaining maternal traits for our commercial cow operators throughout the country . We are getting closer to nearing the end of the liquidation phase of the U . S . cattle cycle , this assumes mother nature cooperates over the next 6 to 18 months and rain returns through droughtstricken areas .
Given current inflation rates , that means an uptrend for commercial cattle prices will eventually materialize as we transition back to expansion down the road . That may not happen overnight but it should be in the back of your mind as you do long term planning for your operation . This will create additional opportunity that is long overdue for the prices the cow / calf operator are currently receiving . Most of whom critically need this price improvement on their annual calf crop to remain in business given the rising cost of production .
Technology is also accelerating as never seen before . The ability to gene edit cattle for single gene traits is already out there . The Federal Drug Administration has not approved gene editing for inclusion into the U . S . cattle population and for consumption at this time . Yet , other countries have already approved the practice including some in South America . This means we will begin to see some gene-edited cattle where single gene traits like horn / polled , hide color and hair shedding will be utilized for export of semen to other countries .
NALF will incorporate guidelines and rules into its Rules and Regulations to address this production practice into the future . The NALF board addressed this at the August board meeting this summer . You will see more information on the subject in the future .
The NALF Board and staff would like to thank everyone for their dedication to not only the Limousin breed , but the improvement our breeders have made to their cattle the last five years . We will be focused on maintaining tools through genetic evaluations , DNA testing , performance records and genomics that supply our breeders with the information they need to make cattle that offer the beef industry and its producers superior genetics to remain profitable .
OKLAHOMA PRIDE PRODUCTS 1.800.658.1415
Chickasha , OK
14 • OCTOBER 2021