Achieving a consistent level of profitability isn’t easy. If it was, every beef cattle producer would be raking in the profits. Producing for enhanced quality and profitability takes a savvy manager who is cost-conscious and always searching for ways to increase revenue, while being focused on product value and enhancement.
A quality focus
Larry Corah, vice president of supply development for Certified Angus Beef, believes quality-focused producers often enjoy more consistent profitability. It comes from animals that exhibit optimum levels of performance and also produce beef that delivers a high-quality eating experience. Corah believes these producers pay close attention to factors that are fundamental to quality-focused production: genetics, nutrition, and health. As a result, they produce animals that represent greater value.
“It starts with genetics,” says Corah, calling cow-calf producers “genetic engineers” who make critical decisions regarding choice of breed or breed combinations and selection for multiple economically important traits.
“They have to find the right balance of traits, being mindful of maternal characteristics if retaining females, while selecting for growth and carcass traits,” states Corah. “Using EPDs (expected progeny difference values), producers can select for that needed balance. And while it’s still in its infancy, incorporation of DNA information is helping add to the predictability of selection based on EPDs. I believe the use of DNA marker-assisted selection tools will become routine within the next three to five years.”
It might seem obvious that nutrition plays a key role in the growth and development of beef animals. Proper nutrition, during each phase of production, contributes to an animal’s value. Corah points to mounting evidence that a dam’s nutritional status during gestation also impacts her unborn calf and influences how it will perform throughout its lifetime. (Also see fetal programming article on page 20.)
“Research has revealed how the gestating dam’s nutrition even influences how the calf will eventually grade for carcass quality. Fetal programming is also linked to the reproductive performance of heifer calves retained for breeding,” Corah explains.
Nutrition, health play leading roles
Nutrition and health become more tightly linked as a calf moves through various stages of production. Adequate nutrition is necessary for proper immune function, as sick calves typically don’t eat like they should. Corah says careful attention to both of these factors become critical at weaning time and on through the growing or backgrounding phase.
“To keep calves healthy, growing, and gaining, managers need to consider nutritional supplement strategies, timely and correct immunization against disease, deworming, and low-stress handling techniques. All of these things have implications for subsequent calf health, performance, and carcass merit. All can affect profitability,” states Corah.
Data collected through the Iowa-based Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity (TCSCF) have revealed the long-term, detrimental effects of post-weaning sickness in calves. According to a data set from nearly 50,000 animals finished in 18 different feedlots over a period of eight years, severity of disease (based on number of treatments required) affects feeding outcomes. As the number of treatments increases, calves require more days on feed, their average daily gains decrease, and the cost of gain goes up. Marbling scores also decline.
According to TCSCF Manager Darrell Busby, the program was begun in 1982 to determine what makes the most profitable feedlot steer. Genetics certainly make a difference, but Busby says health and disposition definitely can affect the outcome. Generally, the most profitable cattle are genetically superior for gain and carcass merit, but they also have calm dispositions and remain healthy throughout the feeding period.
“We’ve seen what a difference it makes to feedlot health when calves receive two rounds of vaccinations against respiratory disease (preferably with a modified-live-virus vaccine) and are weaned for 30 days before going to the feedlot,” says Busby, emphasizing how minimizing stress is part of health management. “When weaned for less than 30 days, about 28 percent require treatment. They are just as likely to get sick and require treatment as calves that weren’t weaned until shipping day.”
Producer Ron Dunphy, of Creston, Iowa, admits that cattle he has sent to the TCSCF have experienced health issues that challenge profitability. He weans spring-born calves relatively early, near the first of September, and has stepped up efforts to reduce stress through fenceline weaning.
“We wean calves on grass to eliminate dust, and weaning them across the fence from their mothers really cuts down the stress,” explains Dunphy. “We want them weaned 45 days prior to sending them to the feedlot. We recognize the importance of doing the right things at the right time, and that includes timely vaccinations. We’ve also seen how age- and source-verification can add value too – as much as $35 per carcass.”
Pulaski, Tenn., producer Tommy Mize says retained ownership and participation in TCSCF has taught him how beef carcass values can vary by as much as $300. He credits the experience with making him a better manager. Mize also sells feeder cattle through a county producer-alliance that markets participants’ cattle by video auction.
“Paying attention to genetics and nutrition and having a defined health program makes feeder cattle bring more and attracts repeat buyers,” says Mize. “We want to keep them growing after they’re weaned to achieve their genetic potential. We target gains equaling two percent of their body weight. We vaccinate, follow up with boosters, and treat very few calves after weaning. They’re pretty good cattle and they’re healthy. That’s what buyers want.”
Managing for improved calf health
Dr. Fred Hopkins says the journey to profitability is all about adding value with every step. The University of Tennessee Extension veterinarian believes that keeping cattle healthy should be every producer’s goal, with particular attention to the post-weaning period.
“I recommend fenceline weaning or use of weaner tabs (devices to prevent calves from suckling prior to actual separation from their dams) to reduce stress, and always use low-stress handling techniques. Keep calves as calm and happy as possible and they are more likely to remain healthy,” advises Hopkins.
A vaccination program should include immunization against clostridial infections and what Hopkins calls the “Big Three” viral diseases: infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR), bovine virus diarrhea (BVD) types 1 and 2, and parainfluenza (PI3). Vaccination against bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) may also be advisable. Other considerations may be called for, to comply with the health protocol of a specific marketing alliance, or upon the advice of a local veterinarian.
Hopkins says modified live virus (MLV) products are generally preferred for immunization against respiratory disease. But whatever products are used, producers must handle and administer them correctly. Follow Beef Quality Assurance guidelines for storing and mixing products, use clean syringes and sharp needles, and minimize stress when handling cattle to optimize immune response to vaccination.
“I can’t over-emphasize the importance of following label directions. Do what it says, and that includes giving boosters as directed. But it’s also important to give the initial vaccination at the right time, and then follow with boosters at the right time, so cattle have time to build immunity ahead of the disease challenge,” Hopkins states.
“Deworming calves almost always pays. Again, read the label and follow directions. Products used as they are meant to be used generally deliver results,” he adds.
Whether a producer retains ownership through the feedlot, markets feeder cattle after a growing period, or sells calves at weaning, managing for improved calf health helps a producer get the greatest return from investment in genetics and nutrition. It all works together.
Darrell Busby reminds that a producer’s zip code is no indication of the kind of cattle he or she produces. High-quality, profitable cattle can be produced in any part of the country. But it is a process that starts with conception and continues throughout an animal's lifetime.