News Update
December 19, 2016
Maximize Female Potential
As the Angus breed continues to be the leader in genetic advancement within the beef industry, capturing those elite genetics and capitalizing on them is becoming extremely vital in today’s fast-paced market.
Todd Bilby, associate director of ruminant technical services at Merck Animal Health, told those at the 2016 Angus Convention attending an Angus University Workshop focused on maximizing female genetic potential that the technology available greatly helps producers improve their herd’s potential.
“Our toolbox is rich from an assisted reproductive technology standpoint,” Bilby said. “We have artificial insemination (AI), embryo transfer (ET), sexed semen and in vitro fertilization (IVF).”
While not new tools, Bilby said they have “streamlined and improved the pregnancy rates which we can achieve.”
Bilby said by utilizing IVF in conjunction with genomically enhanced data, the genetic potential of the overall operation increases as the time frame decreases.
Continue reading the Angus Media news article online.
Working Backward
Start right, work left.
It may seem backward, but for forward-thinking cattleman Terry Harris, beginning at the end may be the best route of all.
“What do people want? What are they willing to pay?” he inquired of animal scientists and economists who study the trends. Research suggested 60% of beef consumed in the United States is ground and the average dinner plate is 36 square inches. Allowing one-third of that for protein meant “12 square inches cut to 3/4 inch on my cattle is a 1-pound (lb.) steak, plus or minus a little bit, but it’s more or less 16 ounces.”
There’s more. The knowledge rolls off his tongue with little effort and great confidence: “What kind of emotion is going to be released when you put my beef on your dinner plate?” he asks.
Read more in the Angus Media news article online.
Daily Livestock Report, Dec. 16
Retail beef prices rose in November while pork and chicken prices continued to move lower. All protein prices at retail are under last year at this time, which is generally viewed as negative by retail operators since it also implies downward pressure on sales revenues. While you can bolster revenues by trying to sell more, and they are certainly trying to do that, this often will depend on the time of year, income growth, weather and the opportunity to run seasonal promotions.
The average retail beef price in November was reported at $5.76 per lb., up from $5.73 per lb. in October but now 7.2% under what it was a year ago. All beef items are lower than a year ago, with some down more than others. The retail price of ground beef currently is pegged at $4.09 per lb., 10% lower than a year ago and also lower than what it was in October ($4.16).
For more information, view the Daily Livestock Report online.
Single-step Genetic Evaluation: Common Questions
Single-step genetic evaluation is the method that will be implemented through Angus Genetics Incorporated (AGI) to calculate weekly Angus expected progeny differences (EPDs).
Single-step methodology represents an evolution in the way AGI has calculated genomic-enhanced EPDs (GE-EPDs) since 2010, and offers the most advanced process available to generate genetic prediction tools. Single step will be capable of incorporating all genotype, pedigree, performance and progeny data simultaneously to derive GE-EPDs rather than requiring multiple steps, as in the current method.
The single-step process represents a more accurate, effective way to generate EPDs over time. It will provide breeders with the most current GE-EPDs with the most appropriate emphasis on all sources of information, each week. It’s also the focus of an ongoing research effort that spans several years in collaboration with the professionals at the University of Georgia (UGA).
Q: How does single step differ from the current process of calculating EPDs?
In 2010, the American Angus Association and AGI began estimating GE-EPDs, selection tools that incorporated DNA-based information in addition to the performance, pedigree and progeny records already used in the evaluation.
Continue reading in the AGI fact sheet online.
K-State’s Winter Ranch Management Series
With lower expected revenues from the sale of calves in 2017 compared to 2014-2015 prices, many producers are seeking information on ways to improve their operation’s profit potential.
With that in mind, the 2017 K-State Winter Ranch Management series of meetings will include comments from extension educators on profit-enhancing strategies practices for beef producers. The meetings will also feature a popular ‘town-hall’ style question and answer session between Kansas’ cattle producers and extension specialists. The Winter Ranch Management Seminar series runs in January and early February.
The series has a history of being a successful stretch of meetings, which are hosted throughout the state of Kansas, said Bob Weaber, K-State Research and Extension cow-calf specialist. Weaber, along with other state, district and local extension staff, will take part in the series to help answer producers’ questions. The specialists will answer a wide range of questions on beef cattle issues surrounding animal health, nutrition, management, genetics and reproduction during the Town Hall Q & A.
Go online for more information on the events.
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