Date: April 25, 2003
MORE WEIGHT = MORE DOLLARS, BUT HOW MUCH MORE?
In a recent national beef cattle magazine, some figures were presented on a set of weaned calves kept for awhile, during which time they gained 43 lb. It was calculated that, at a price of $90/cwt, that extra weight was worth $38.70. But, do you get all of that? Only if the calves would have sold for $90 both before and after. Let's say the calves started at 500 lb and wound up at 543 lb. According to last week's USDA-reported Average Summary for 22 Texas Auctions, if 543 lb calves brought $90, then 500 lb calves would have brought $92.78. Those 43 lb were worth $38.70. But, in effect, the first 500 lb was revalued at $90/cwt or a reduction of $13.90 per calf. So, the net increase in dollars per calf was $24.80, not $38.90. Looked at another way, those extra 43 lb were not worth $90/cwt, they were worth only about $57/cwt. If you can put the extra weight on for less than that, it'll pay. If you can't, it won't. Remember, cattle generally bring less per pound the heavier they get. Figure that into your operation, or you may be disappointed.
ANGUS AND CHAROLAIS - STILL SOME DIFFERENCES
Angus and Charolais are the two European breeds most frequently mentioned in today's marketing alliances. While these two breeds have become more similar over the years in size and growth, there are still some big differences in carcass factors. The U. S. Meat Animal Research Center sampled those two breeds and compared them as sires on mature cows. Charolais-sired steers averaged almost 1 sq. in. larger ribeyes with only 0.34 inch fat cover, compared to Angus-sired with 0.58 fat, so Charolais had Yield Grades of 2.7 compared to 3.6 for Angus. On the other hand, Angus-sired graded 95% Choice, compared to 69% for Charolais-sired.
A "SOFTER" VACCINE FOR BRD?
The usual 4-way viral vaccines for bovine respiratory disease (BRD) have protection against BVD, as well as for IBR, PI3, and BRSV. Some BVD vaccines are thought to sometimes be hard on cattle, especially stressed calves. Schering-Plough is marketing Jencine © 4, claimed to provide protection against all four diseases and "minimize post-vaccination setback".
FEED EFFICIENCY VS. FEEDING BEHAVIOR
We've generally thought that better-doing cattle were more consistent in eating habits. That may not be true. Oklahoma and Canadian researchers collaborated on a study measuring individual feeding activity. Steers were classified into HI, AVG, and LO groups based on feed efficiency. As was expected, HI steers consumed more total feed, but they also had greater variation in daily feed consumption. And HI went to the feed bunk more often, but spent less total time eating.
NEW PUBLICATION
There is a new publication in the Texas Adapted Genetic Strategies (TAGS) series. It is E-180, "Creating Cattle Breeds and Composites". This publication, and all others in the series, is available on my webpage at the Texas Cooperative Extension Bookstore at http://tcebookstore.org/pubinfo.cfm?pubid=1766.
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