Agricultural News
Kansas Feeder Maximizing Genetics in Cattle with Proper Management to Increase Carcass Quality
Tue, 03 Jan 2017 15:14:22 CST
Changing beef markets call for even more genetic focus.
"As we go forward, especially in times of tight margins and the risk that we have in the marketplace," said Allan Sents of McPherson County Feeders, "anything that can be done genetically to narrow that down and to focus on some of the premiums that are possible that way I think gives the cow/calf producer especially a great advantage perhaps as much as anyone in the industry to take advantage and to be rewarded for the effort that they can put into improving genetics that way."
The cattle feeder gives credit to cow-calf producers for the improvement in quality over the years.
"Genetics is a huge factor and we know that there is great variation even within breeds in terms of genetic potential of the cattle," McPherson said. "Even this spring we had two loads of cattle that graded 40% Prime, and so that speaks-those were both from producers that have put an emphasis on quality and it's just interesting and encouraging to see what progress can be made as people focus on those things. And then to not lose track of the cutability and growth factors that are important as well, too."
The crew at this Marquette, Kansas feedyard works to manage the animals in a way that makes the most of their genetics.
"That's one thing a smaller operation of our size, we can focus more on individual sorting and attention to customers and knowing a history of them, too, and what their cattle are capable of," McPherson said. "And so we do actively sort cattle to try and maximize their potential and harvest them before they have been around too long."
But he is still working every day to optimize that potential.
"The biggest adjustment I think we could make from a management standpoint," McPherson concludes, "is being aware of the potential of the cattle and then using our sorting and then evaluating which particular grid might be best to market the cattle and get the best premium we can for our customer that way."
That kind of teamwork works in every market.
Watch a video featuring Allan Sents, of McPherson County Feeders, discuss how genetics and management have come together to increase carcass quality, by clicking or tapping on the PLAY BOX below.
Source - Certified Angus Beef
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