Lessons in Cattle Feeding

Retained ownership on calves through the feedlot is the best opportunity to capitalize on quality genetics, according to Justin Sexten, supply development director for Certified Angus Beef.

He says within the first year of studying the data, cattle producers can benchmark performance and focus their breeding program to meet end-product goals.?

Sexten: "In terms of making improvements with retained ownership, the first year really gives you a high watermark. Effectively — where do you fit relative to average. Average as we know continues to increase. The number of choice cattle in the market now is at a all-time high relative to history we've made a lot of progress over time."

Progress that's been built on individual selection decisions, which Sexten says can be improved by evaluating data through the feed yard.

Sexten: "Retained ownership gives them 1) the opportunity to benchmark where they are at and focus their breeding program on a area where that they now know that they are deficient. Producers or ranchers may be selecting bulls for improved carcass traits when in all reality — they may be to achieve acceptable carcass characteristics. This gives them the opportunity to focus more where they may be more deficient. If they hadn't retained ownership in the cattle, they wouldn't know where to put the selection emphasis."