Agricultural News
Customized Feeding Programs Tailor Results for Cattlemen
Wed, 11 Sep 2013 10:42:59 CDT
Taking the plunge into cattle feeding can be intimidating, but a customized feedlot experience can mean tailored results for cattlemen, says Darrell Busby of the Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity.
"How cattle perform on their feet in the feedyard and on the rail is dependent upon the management that a cow-calf producer gives the cattle and the cow herd and also the genetic package that they put together. And, so, we find many producers who have spent time and effort selecting genetics that are high quality, fast-gaining cattle and have gone through the rigors of pre-conditioning their calves and retain ownership that offers them the opportunity to take advantage of the genetics and management that they put into the cattle."
In the Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity program, producers made money in ten of the last 12 years. The difference between the top and bottom profit thirds and each pen keeps getting wider because of increased values for feeder cattle, feed, and premium beef.
A successful feeding experience starts on the ranch, says Kansas feedlot owner-manager Kenny Knight.
"Genetics is extremely important in every step of the feedyard. We do feed some cattle that don't have as much quality as the ones we're looking at here. If they don't, we have to discount the price and that affects the cow guy that raised that calf. We're striving for genetics that will give us the most CAVs we can get, the most choice cattle we can get and, genetically, the best feed conversions we can get."
And when a cow-calf producer cares enough to send feedlots the best genetics and management, they respond with tailor-fitted attention to detail, too, Knight says.
"It's a better chance to make a profit. We try to take care of the details. Most of the cattle that we buy from any distance away from here-or even closer-we have our own trucks, our own drivers. We think we know what's happening from the time they pick the cattle up until they unload. We know what time they pick them up. We know what time they unload."
They also know health and weaning histories and use that to match the feeding program to calf needs.
To watch a video version of this story, click in the box below.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
