"You can't manage what you don't measure". I'm sure we've all heard this. But we've also got to accurately interpret what is measured or we might mismanage. At a recent meeting of professional beef cattle educators, some figures were reported from a southeastern state. In comparison with national Standardized Performance Analysis (SPA) averages, this state was 9% lower in weaning percentage (75% vs 84%), 35 lb lower in weaning weight (481 lb vs 516 lb), and 71 lb lower in lb weaned / exposed cow (365 lb vs 436 lb). But this state averaged $57 less pasture and feed cost ($145 vs $202) and $75 less total operating cost ($286 vs $361), so the state average net income was $21 higher ($48 vs $27). The conclusion reached by the author of the report was that "state values look promising, but there is certainly room for improvement in production". The assumption, of course, was that production could be improved at the same cost. Is that true? Maybe. Or maybe, perhaps probably, higher production could be achieved only with greater cost, especially nutritional. We need to take a close look at what our figures say, and never assume we'll get something for nothing.
North Dakota researchers have reported on feeding lasalocid (Bovatec) to beef cows for approximately two months before and two months after calving. Cows received grass hay and ground corn to provide either 85% or 100% of estimated energy requirements. Lasalocid has been reported to improve nutritional efficiency and performance of beef cows. However, in this study the practice had negligible effects on cow body weight, body condition, or milk production.
South Carolina workers used sires of varying milk EPD to study relationships between milk EPD, actual milk production, and calf weight in purebred Angus. Sires ranged in milk EPD from -28 lb to +31 lb, encompassing the full range of the breed. Female offspring by high milk sires exceeded those of low milk sires in total milk production over 200 days (2895 lb vs 2110 lb) and weaning weight of calves (513 lb vs 424 lb). Correlation between milk EPD of sires and actual milk produced by female offspring was 0.55. Correlation between milk EPD of sires and weaning weight of daughter's calves was 0.57. Reproduction was not measured. Some studies have shown lowered reproduction efficiency in higher milking females.
County Extension Agents with 4-H steer or beef heifer entries at Houston should remember to confirm entries and make any special stalling requests in writing to the show (not me) by February 20. See Rule 14 on page 213 of the 1998 Houston Premium List. Entries in these divisions are similar to last year, about 2350 steers and 2150 heifers.
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