Combining Cow Sense...with Science
Paul S. Bennett, Owner, Knoll Crest Farm, VA

In 1963 we adopted a comprehensive data collection system. At that time, it seemed very complicated and forward-thinking, including the measurement of weaning weight, yearling weight and feedlot gain. As Beef Improvement Federation, state Beef Cattle Improvement Associations and breed associations adopted standards for the collection and evaluation of more traits, we quickly added those traits to our system. By the early 1980s, we were doing much more than evaluating growth - birth weight, calving ease, frame score, cow weight at weaning, udder scores, scrotal measurements and more. We began collecting carcass ultrasound data in the mid 1990s, which has been used in unison with actual progeny kill data to become a primary ingredient in the recipes of several breed association's indexes for end-product merit.

Recently, much emphasis has been put on the collection and management of data that relates to production efficiency. Historically, most breeders (myself included) have been aggressive in selecting for animals that excel at an "outlier" level for a given trait. In many cases, this has been good (appropriate) and has led to dramatic change (improvement) in lines of cattle within a breed. These outlier cattle have been well received in the marketplace, which has encouraged breeders to continue to select for extremes. Most cattle breeders would agree that today's breed-leading animal has plenty of growth, which causes us to modify our selection pressure to reflect emphasis on an "ideal" rather than an "extreme". Hopefully, cattle breeders will embrace the notion of "optimum", as this will become necessary if seedstock producers are truly focused on servicing the needs of their commercial customers. With this in mind, it is absolutely essential that breeders be pro-active in submitting data that allows breed associations to generate EPDs to facilitate selection for production efficiency, particularly cow size, fertility, longevity and energy requirements. Technology to measure feed efficiency is being developed and needs to be embraced at the producer's level. Genetic improvement in these areas is mandatory if beef producers expect to remain competitive with the pork and poultry sectors.

Listening to the Customer
As we listen to commercial bull customers' future needs, it continues to be very evident that we will need to do more than breed by the numbers. Even though customers are heavily focused on any and all data we can provide to them, many of their concerns relate to things that we are not currently able to quantify with EPDs. Good cattle people want their cattle to have a "look", and we believe it is our responsibility (and in our financial best interest) to create good looking cattle that our most discriminating customers will admire and want to own. Fortunately, many of the phenotypic traits we select for are very fundamental to highly productive cattle. For example, soundness of structure should be paramount in any breeding program. Bulls must be able to travel big breeding pastures and cows must have long-lasting udders and running gear. In our operation, we aggressively select for fescue-tolerant cattle that are adaptable to heat and humidity. We believe that cattle capable of flourishing in this environment will also adapt very well to a more northern or western setting.

An unprecedented drought in the southeast in 2007 has many of our customers asking questions about crossbreeding and ways to utilize heterosis to improve productivity, particularly in the cow herd. It is well documented that crossbreeding can be an extremely useful tool in enhancing performance and efficiency. We are encouraging our customers to develop a well thought-out strategy for utilizing the appropriate breeds or breed composites in their programs. The primary focus should always be on attaining long-term goals that will not require any "back tracking" in a breeding system. If used properly, heterosis can enhance almost every commercial cattle operation.

Maintaining a Proper Perspective
The role of seedstock producers as breeders involves more science in 2008 than ever before. The correct application of all this "stuff" will allow some breeders to become more successful and more competitive. However, a breeder's ability to blend genetic selection tools with common sense is what will set apart the true breeder. One's ability to anticipate changes in the industry and build some "lead time" into a program will always pay dividends. The beef cattle business involves many components, primarily people, cattle, government, a global economy and mother nature in many forms. The success of each of us hinges on our ability to maintain a proper perspective.