We've all been told that northern cattle are better than southern cattle, right? Well, that may be. Ted McCollum, Texas A&M Center-Amarillo, compared figures from a recent USDA report showing that
Nebraska cattle graded 58% Choice and 4% Prime, while Texas cattle graded 44% Choice and 1% Prime.
But only 36% of Nebraska were Yield Grade 1 or 2 compared to 53% for Texas. And 6% of Nebraska
were YG 4 or 5 (carcass discounted $17/cwt and $19/cwt), compared to 1% for Texas. Using typical
carcass grid prices for Yield Grade, and a Choice/Select price spread of $6/cwt (which is the long-term average), the carcass value of the two sets was essentially the same. At lower Ch/Se spreads, Texas cattle would be worth more. At higher spreads, Nebraska cattle are favored. So, if you say better you better say how, and when.
PRE-PARTUM HEIFER NUTRITION, CONSTANT OR VARIABLE?
North Dakota researchers divided heifers 18 weeks before first calving into constant (C) or stair-step (S) nutritional regimens. S were limit-fed 70% of the same energy concentration as C for the first 9 weeks, followed by ad lib feeding for 9 weeks a ration that was 130% of the energy concentration as that fed C. C gained more during the first 9 weeks but S more than compensated in the second period, gained more during the full 18 weeks, and converted feed more efficiently. S consumed 249 lb less feed, had higher BCS (7.0 vs 6.5) at the end, and calved 5 days earlier. There were no significant differences between C and S in calf birth weights, milk production, milk composition, dam weight or BCS at weaning, or calf weight at weaning. Pre-partum nutritional manipulation to create compensatory gain may result in economically important savings of feed without affecting performance.
ANOTHER TOOL IN THE BATTLE AGAINST E. COLI
For a change, the beef industry could be indebted to the dairy folks. Activated lactoferrin, an all-natural protein found in milk, has been approved by USDA as a fresh-beef anti-microbial, effective against potentially harmful E. Coli 0157-H7, as well as salmonella, and camphylobacter. And the good thing about this material is that it not only halts bacterial growth but also prevents bacteria from even attaching to meat.
SELLING OPEN HEIFERS AND AGE AT PUBERTY
Montana workers studied the effect of age at puberty under two systems, selling yearling heifers that
palpated open or saving them and breeding again. As expected, selling opens was more profitable. They
then looked at effects of age at puberty if opens are sold. There was no difference in weaning weight per cow exposed or profit when heifers reached puberty at either12, 13, or14 mos. Compared to a herd where heifers reached puberty at 14 mos, if puberty was at 16 mos. it was necessary to save about 2/3 more heifers to maintain cow numbers. But there was no difference in herd profit. The distinction was that 23% of income came from yearlings if puberty was at 16 mos., compared to only 2% of income for a 14- mo.-puberty herd. Yearling heifers that don't breed are not automatic money-losers. They're unintended stockers.
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