– Garth Ruff, Beef Cattle Field Specialist, Ohio State University Extension (originally published in The Ohio Cattleman)
Consider spending some of the additional income dollars on improved genetics.
January through March is what we in Extension call “Meeting Season.” While in most cases I am teaching at the meetings I attend, I often learn several things about beef production from producers and other speakers that often fall into one of three categories: Innovative, Intriguing, or Insanity.
Let’s start with the innovative. Farmers are some of the most innovative people I know when it comes to creative solutions to a given problem. As they say, “necessity is the mother of Invention.” Cattle handling facilities are some of the first things that come to mind in this area, functional handmade solutions to a common issue. Discussions about whole herd management, logistics, trial and error, I really enjoy these conversations.
Intriguing – These are the things that I go back to the office and take a deeper look at. These are often statements made from other presentations at meetings that are often cutting-edge precision technology, advancements in genetics, risk management, and farm economics. These are the most beneficial topics as an Extension specialist when there is an opportunity to ask questions and then dig a little deeper.
The insane. Several times a year I hear comments at meetings that are in direct contrast of well-established research-based facts in beef production systems. Examples include, “it doesn’t pay to castrate bull calves if selling them at the sale barn” or “hay is hay” (in reference to quality), or one of my personal favorites, as I was teaching a session on keeping production records; “I have 35 cows, they had 35 calves, and how would you ever know if they made any money?” Some nights I do a lot of head scratching.
Someone once defined insanity as doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. When I started in this position, at the Eastern Ag Research Station there was a piece of paper on the white board that read:
Eye Test
I
YD
WYAD
YGWYAG
If you do what you always did, you’ll get what you always got.
As we go into the bulk of spring calving and breeding, my challenge to you as producers is to try to build up on and expand upon what you have previously done. You don’t have to go crazy but experiment with one or two management decisions that will pay dividends in the future.
Improve genetics. The bulls that will be available this spring will have the most advanced genetics that are on the market. This cull market has been really good with many bulls selling for over $1.00/lb. That 5-year-old bull that weighs over a ton and has several daughters in your herd will be a significant down payment toward your next herd sire.
Buy bulls from proven, reputable genetics and producers. There is a reason bulls are hauled to the weekly livestock auction. Not knowing any genetic information, or health status can be a risky business.
Shorten your breeding season. If you currently have a 120 day breeding window, work towards 90 days. If at 90, ask your self if there is opportunity to tighten things a bit further to improve calf uniformity, lot weights, and identify chronic late calving and sub fertile cows.
Begin pregnancy checking if you don’t do so already. As already mentioned, this cull market has been really active. With cull cow prices hovering at or above $1.00/lb for lean cows in good condition, you’ll have a hard time justifying keeping open cows in 2024, even if rolling them into a fall herd is an option.
Improve fertility of hay and pasture ground. One thing we have all experienced is rising land prices. To maximize the value of the acres currently dedicated to forage production, soil testing, lime and fertilizing deserve more consideration. Consider the current hay supply. As I write this, several cattle producers across Ohio are buying hay. Improved fertility should result in increased yield.
Given the current status of the cattle markets and looking ahead to the next couple of years, if there was ever a time to try something innovative it’s now. If you have questions about something cattle related that was intriguing, talk it over with your partners, neighbors, or give me a call. If planning to do what you always have did, don’t be surprised to get what you always have got.