April 13, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
For more information
contact:
Jenny Gillespie, CAB Industry
Information Intern via info@certifiedangusbeef.com
Or call Steve
Suther, CAB Industry Information Director at (785) 889-4162
Quality
Beef Starts With You
Consumer demand
for high-quality beef has been on the rise, and so have cattle prices. A more
secure future for ranching points toward quality, but what does it take to get
there?
This month
Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) teamed up with Purina Land OÕLakes, Pfizer,
Oklahoma State University and the Oklahoma Angus Association to bring Sooner
beef producers a series on ÒManaging for Success.Ó
The seminars
kicked off April 6 at Haines Land and Cattle, near Lexington, followed the next
two days with similar events at McAlester and Claremore, Okla.
Larry Corah set
the stage: ÒThe consumer is a real key to this beef industry – itÕs their
money and they donÕt have to buy beef.Ó The CAB vice president discussed trends
in the beef industry, telling participants, ÒConsumers like brands, and that
includes branded beef.Ó
To improve herd
quality, producers can turn to a variety of tools including the strategic use
of genetic selection using EPDs (expected progeny differences) and DNA markers.
ÒEPDs are the
best predictor of high quality cattle,Ó said Mark Johnson of Oklahoma State
University. ÒKnowing your intended market will help you decide which numbers
will work for you.Ó
The use of
genomics testing for DNA markers can make EPDs more reliable and maximize the
value of an animalÕs genetic profile. ÒIntegrity of pedigree is everything,Ó
said Kevin Millner of Pfizer Animal Genetics. ÒGenomics testing does not
replace EPDs; it enhances them.Ó
Chris Richards,
Oklahoma State University animal scientist, turned the discussion to the use of
growth implants. ÒImplanting is part of a complete management plan,Ó he said.
But if average gains are less than 1.75 pounds (lb.) per day, the benefits of
implanting cattle may be limited. Above that threshold of gain, the implants
have more of a chance to drive lean tissue growth.
Even with all of
these management tools, proper herd health is crucial to ensuring cattle reach
their full genetic potential. Michael Nichols, Pfizer Animal Health DVM,
discussed treatment, control and prevention strategies.
ÒWe have to build
a health program based on what we need to protect our cow herd from,Ó he said.
ÒCow herd protection has an effect on how calves ultimately perform at the feed
yard.Ó
Dale Moore of
CattlemanÕs Choice Feedyard brought the dayÕs discussion full circle with a
message about buying cattle from a feedlot perspective.
ÒWhat you guys do
goes all the way to the plate,Ó he said. ÒWeÕre going to pay for quality, and
it starts at the ranch.Ó
Over the
three-day series, Oklahoma cattlemen gained a toolbox of information and best
management practices to improve their herds and aim for high-quality beef.
Corah concluded with inspiring advice: ÒTarget something you believe in –
it starts with you.Ó
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