Featured Post

Dr. Jamie Courter is your Mizzou Beef Genetics Extension Specialist

Image
By Jared E. Decker Many of you have probably noticed that things have been a lot less active on the A Steak in Genomics™   blog, but you probably haven't known why. In January 2021, I was named the Wurdack Chair in Animal Genomics at Mizzou, and I now focus on research, with a little bit of teaching. I no longer have an extension appointment. But, with exciting news, the blog is about to become a lot more active! Jamie Courter began as the new MU Extension state beef genetics specialist in the Division of Animal Sciences on September 1, 2023. I have known Jamie for several years, meeting her at BIF when she was a Masters student. I have been impressed by Jamie in my interactions with her since that time.  Dr. Courter and I have been working closely together the last 6 weeks, and I am excited to work together to serve the beef industry for years to come! Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from North Carolina State University and earned a master's degree in animal...
1 comment

TBCSC 2017: So You Want To Be A Seedstock Producer

John Ford
Executive Director
Santa Gertrudis Breeders International

Why be a seedstock producer?

We see producers that join a breed association, make a big splash, and then disappear.
Why?
This is likely because they were not focused on things that make a seedstock producer profitable and successful in the long run.

We talk about successful youth programs, premier sales, and national champions. But we do not talk to them about the complexities of seedstock production. We do not talk about producing cattle for a commercial customer.

We have to focus on performance.
We have to focus on data collection.
We have to focus on new tools available to us.

The mom-and-pop grocery has given way to 5 major grocery chains. Those customers are looking for a consistent meat product. Those grocery chains are telling the four packing plants what their customers are wanting. Those four packers are talking to the 5% of the feedyards that feed 80% of the industries cattle. The feedyards are talking to the commercial cattlemen and asking them to produce efficient,productive cattle that will be profitable for the feedyard, packing plant, retailer and meeting the customers need. Those commerical producers are then turning to the seedstock producers and asking them to help reach these goals.


 Seedstock producers develop breeding plans and stick with the plan.
A breeding plan provides a clear picture of herd direction and allows informed breeding decisions to be made. We need a road map. The successful seedstock producer has a road map. They know what they are producing.
If you get to chasing fades, you will see your program going backwards.

Long-term economic viability depends on focusing on improving traits that either lower the cost of production or increase revenue.

"Technology has changed the game." Ford said. We have the tools available now that you can identify those animals that produce profitable cattle.

Breed associations are now giving breeders power tools.

Objectives for animal improvement can only be reached based on sound genetic information and performance data.
Genetic selection tools have not eliminated the need to measure and collect data.

Seedstock producers speed genetic progress by using reproductive tools and commit to artificial insemination. In beef breeding, we can't turn over generations very quickly, especially compared to competing protein sources. But, reproductive technologies allow us to improve our genetics. Seedstock producers can use embryo transfer, In Vitro Fertilitation, and artificial insemination. Artificial insemination is one of the most underutilized tools in seedstock production.

"You need to be fluent in the language of your breed," Ford said. What was your breed's average weaning weight last year? What was it ten years ago? You also need to be fluent in your herd.
Further, you need to be fluent in other breeds. When someone is taking about retaining heifers and another breed's terminal index, you need to point out to them the issue here.

Who is your target bull buyer? If your target audience if everybody, your potential buyer is nobody. Most times, bull customers live within 200 miles of their seedstock supplier. Know your neighbors and friends. Know their operations.

Seedstock producers are customer oriented. In today's marketplace it is not about the breed, but the breeder. Customers are more like partners in our genetic package.

There is not a better marketing tool than producers that can say they will buy back their customers calves.

Visibility is the greatest marketing tool. Websites, social media platforms, and print media are essential in today's busy environment. However, no form of advertising impacts marketing like industry networking.

Seedstock production is complex. It is data driven. Our goal is to accomplish genetic improvement to affect the industry from producer, feedyard, packer, retailer, and consumer.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Show-Me-Select Board Approves Genomic Testing Requirement for Natural Service Sires

Image
All bulls purchased after February 1st, 2019 for use as natural service sires in the Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program ™  must be DNA tested to have genomic-enhanced EPDs. All bulls used as natural service sires after February 1st, 2020 must have genomic-enhanced EPDs, regardless of when they were purchased. Seedstock producers classifying bulls as Show-Me-Select qualified in sale books must have genomic-enhanced EPDs on those lots. Bulls purchased prior to February 1st, 2019 will be grandfathered into the program, as is the common practice with all natural service sires. However, this grandfather grace period will end February 1st, 2020. At that time for a bull to qualify for use in the program, it must have genomic-enhanced EPDs. Why the change? The Show-Me-Select Replacement Heifer Program has the goal of producing premium heifers that perform predictably as 2 year olds. The program has a history of requiring Show-Me-Select producers to go beyond typical...
Read more

New Show-Me-Select Sire EPD Requirements Announced

Image
At the January 4th Show-Me-Select Board of Directors meeting, new service sire EPD requirements were approved. All sires, artificial insemination and natural service, must meet minimum Calving Ease Direct (CED) EPD requirements. In addition to yearly updates, two changes were made. First, no Birth Weight EPD requirement will be published. All commonly used breeds now have CED EPDs available. Second, all breeds in the International Genetic Solutions (IGS) genetic evaluation are now set to a common requirement. In the summer of 2018, breeds within the International Genetic Solutions switched to a single-step BOLT multi-breed genetic evaluation. The EPDs for animals in the IGS genetic evaluation are directly comparable across breeds. In 2017, the Red Angus requirement for CED was a CED of 8, which represents the 30th percentile. Less than 5% percent of heifers breed to a bull with a CED EPD of 8 or larger had calving difficulty. We feel that this require is meeting the need to re...
Read more

Bob Hough Comments on Changes at Breed Associations

Bob Hough recently posted the following comment on Facebook (posted with his permission): Early in my career at a breed association, the much beloved American Angus breed executive told me that the secret to success running a breed association was to have a top junior program, keep the books straight, and make sure the numbers (EPDs) don't change. This philosophy meant Angus valued stability in their genetic predictions over keeping them up-to-date with the latest science. The Angus Association also marketed extremely effectively the infallibility of their EPDs because of the size of their database. I will start with the later. Yes, a database needs certain critical mass to make sure the animals are tied, but that can be achieved in a modest size database. After that, data quality far and away outweighs data quantity in assuring the most precise and reliable EPDs possible. On the former point, Angus breeders are simply not use to change. This is not the case in most breed associ...
Read more