Source: AgriLife Today
“Profitability of Beef Cattle Best Management Practices in South Texas: Improving Profitability with Genetically Superior Sires and Higher Breeding Ratios,” is the latest addition to Farm Assistance Focus, a series of cow/calf publications dating back to 2006.
Based on detailed economic analyses, this most recent study concludes that bull selection can have a major impact on herd performance and bottom-line profits.
Important notes to take away from the study:
- Many beef producers use price as their primary criteria in selecting a breeding bull in an attempt to control costs. But fail to consider “the value of the proven genetics in the higher-priced bull.”
- Increasing the breeding ratio – number of cows bred to a bull or bull-to-cow ratio — assists in offsetting the additional cost of the genetically superior herd sire.
- It illustrates the financial implications of genetically superior bull selection and an increased breeding ratio on herd performance and profitability of South Texas ranching operations.
The issue of bull selection will be presented at the 2016 Ag Symposium at the Corpus Christi center on April 19, Young said. He will also likely be presenting the topic at county programs throughout the year.
View Bull Selection publication (pdf)
View more publications from Farm Assistance
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