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GROWTH IMPLANTS FOR HEIFERS
Kansas research studied effects of growth implants on heifer reproductive performance. Heifers were implanted either at branding (45 to 120 days old) or weaning (200 days) and compared to controls. There was no difference in first-service conception, overall pregnancy, or calving rate. Pelvic area at 12-months of age was slightly larger in implanted heifers, but there was no difference in calving difficulty. Cow-calf producers should implant suckling steer and heifer calves to get an average of about 20 pounds more weaning weight, with no detriment to replacement heifers.
PERFORMANCE OF BOS INDICUS COWS
Work at Texas A & M - McGregor has compared performance of various Bos indicus crossbred cows over 14 years of calving. Hereford cows were used to produce F1 females sired by Angus (A) and by five types of Bos indicus: American Gray Brahman (GB), American Red Brahman (RB), Gir (G), Nellore (N), Indu-Brazil (I). A cow efficiency index was calculated including weaning calf crop percent, weaning weight, and estimated nutritional cost based on cow weight. Based on this index N- and G-sired females were about 7 to 8 percent more efficient than GB-, RB-, and I-sired, and over 15 percent more efficient than A-sired. The superiority of Bos indicus X British F1 females was once again demonstrated in areas such as central Texas. The five types, compared to Angus X Hereford females, averaged over 5 percentage points higher in calf crop and over 60 pounds more weaning weight. This was partially offset by almost 100 pounds more cow weight, but efficiency was still about 13 percent higher.
FACTORS AFFECTING PROFIT IN COW HERDS
Figures have been reported on factors affecting profitability in 21 northwest Kansas cowherds from 1990 to 1994. Ranges within the 21 herds were: herd size, 30 to 450; weaning calf crop percent, 60 to 100; sale weight, 375 to 650; calf price, $0.70 to $1.25; cash interest, $5 to $100; feed cost, $60 to $400; vet cost, $10 to $40; overhead cost, $15 to $50; total cash costs, $200 to $600. Net cash profit per cow was little affected by differences in herd size, weaning percent, cash interest paid, or overhead costs. Profit was most affected by variation in calf sale weight, calf sale price, feed cost, and, to a smaller degree, vet costs.
CHOICE GRADE, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT?
Much is being said about the need to increase the kind of cattle that will grade Choice. But what is the return, in dollars? A little over a year ago, Choice carcasses were bringing more than $20/cwt above Select. But the current spread is $3 to $4, and was almost nothing not too long ago. The long term average is $5 to $6. Don't get carried away chasing a magic solution. Consider all important profit variables, including reproduction and livability, pounds produced, and cost to produce, not just price received. There is no silver bullet.