10/24/07 Inside the Outside

Selecting replacement heifers for the cowherd isn't based on just eye appraisal these days. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back in one minute to tell you about some changes. Whether ranchers buy their replacement females or keeps heifers from their own cowherd there are more tools available to help select the best future cows. In years past most replacement heifers were chosen by eye appraisal only, which is fine since cattlemen know their cattle and a growthy heifer calf usually meant her mother was good producer, also if the "like mother like daughter" theory works the calf should be a good producer as a cow. Most ranchers also like to keep heifers that are quiet and not trying to climb out over the top rail of the corral. While eye appeal is still a good starting point there are more implements today to help producers pick the right heifers. Newer measurements give ranchers an idea what is on the inside of that heifer that looks so good on the outside. Pelvic examination and measurement will help cull heifers that could have an increased chance of calving difficulty. Ultra sounding to check rib eye area and internal muscle fat is a technology cattlemen have used for years when selecting bulls, but commercial producers haven't used this tool as extensively choosing replacement females. Ultra sounding these two genetic characteristics provide ranchers a guide to make final selections based on which heifers should produce offspring with higher grading carcasses that are worth more money and satisfy consumer quality preferences. I'm Jeff Keane. Beef October 2007