Two new publications in beef cattle genetic management have been released by Ag Communications. "Frame Score and Weight of Cattle", L-1576, contains a Beef Improvement Federation Frame Score Chart and estimated slaughter and mature weights for different frame scores. Also discussed are instructions for determining frame score, and relationships between frame score and U.S.D.A. Frame Size. "Sire Types for Commercial Beef Herds", L-1581, discusses choices of sires for cowherds of various breed-types.
Nebraska researchers studied effects over three years from using Angus sires averaging -1 or +3 birth EPD on 550 first-calf British X Continental heifers. As has been shown many times, calf birth weight was the most important factor in calving difficulty and sires of higher birth EPD caused more problems. Heifers requiring caesarean section had smaller pelvic areas. Higher degrees of calving difficulty did not reduce subsequent pregnancy rates but did delay conception dates. Unlike previous research, calves of the same birth weight but with larger heads and wider shoulders caused more difficulty. There was a drastic difference of 11 degrees F. in average winter temperature between Years 1 and 3. In the spring after the colder winter, birth weights were 10 lb heavier and calving difficulty was 23 % higher. This is one reason we don't have as many calving problems as they do Up There.
Oklahoma workers have analyzed six years of data from their Oklahoma Steer Feedout (similar to A & M Ranch to Rail). As has been true in Ranch to Rail, medical costs were the most important factor affecting profit. Other important variables were feed efficiency, marbling score (quality grade), dressing percentage, and both live and carcass weight. Note that cutability (yield grade) was not important. Information presented this month at the Texas A & M Beef Cattle Short Course revealed that a difference of one yield grade is worth about $5 to 8$/cwt carcass to packers, depending on whether they sell commodity or close trim. Most carcass pricing grids pay only $1 to $2 per yield grade improvement from YG 3 to 2 or 2 to 1. On the other hand, when Choice carcasses are worth to a packer about $10/cwt over Select, most grids pay about $5/cwt of this to the feeder. In general, feeders are getting paid fairly for quality grade but not yield grade.
