The Texas A&M Experiment Station at McGregor has been studying two new breeds of tropically adapted cattle, the Boran and Tuli. The Boran is a straight Bos indicus breed and the Tuli is a Sanga type. Both originated in east Africa and are smaller cattle than Brahman. Sanga cattle are thought to be genetic intermediates, with some Bos indicus and some Bos taurus. The Tuli probably have little Bos indicus. Comparisons are in progress of Boran, Tuli, and Brahman F1 females (out of either Angus or Hereford cows). Three calf crops have been produced, the first out of Angus sires, and the next two by Brangus sires. There was little difference in birth weight out of the three cow groups. Weaning weights differed considerably with Brahman F1's weaning 466 lb, Boran at 430 lb and Tuli at 395 lb. However, Brahman were lowest in percent calf crop weaned, at 70%, compared to 77% for Tuli and 81% for Boran. Work at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center essentially mirrors these results. In addition, MARC has found the Tuli to be highest in marbling, with Brahman lowest. The Boran may offer possibilities as a competitor for Brahman-Cross cows, especially to reduce cow size. The Tuli could offer higher carcass quality along with sub-tropical adaptability.
Last month we saw that increasing percent Choice in an pen of fed cattle from 50% to 75% resulted in an average of $10 more return per head. How else can we get $10 more? Using average prices over the last 10 years, returns are increased $10 by such things as 12-15 lb more weaning weight, 2-3% higher calf crop, $2/cwt better price, 1-2% less death, or lowering cost of production by $2-3/cwt. Of course that $10 is profit only if it doesn't cost any more to produce. But the people who really do well get all of these things done at the same time.
USDA researchers have recently uncovered a surprising difference in hay cut at different times of the day. Hay was cut either in the morning or afternoon. Both cattle and sheep consumed about 50% more of the hay cut in the afternoon. It is known that carbohydrate production in plants peaks about mid-day, so livestock may select the more digestible material.
The April edition of this newsletter contained information on currently approved growth implants. There is one clarification that should be made. Revalor-G is technically cleared for use on any grazing calves, so it could be used while suckling. However, a technical representative at company headquarters tells me they are not advocating use in calves before weaning.
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