Larry Leonhardt/Feb. Western Farmer Stockman

[RobertMac]

Mike was right about not wanting to go back to 2-300 pound weaning weights.

Using ridiculous extremes to support your position shows how weak it is.

For the guys that like the more per pound for the light calves, do you want $1.20 for 4 weights or $0.99 for 6 weights?

Less than half the story there, Jason.

How about converting to pounds of sold calves per cow exposed?

What about maintenance cost on the cows? A $100 difference in the cost of maintaining those high performance cows would change that bottom line.

Pounds of production don't come out of thin air...they require resources. Your ranch will produce X amount of resources in any given year which will produce X amount of calves sold.

What would you rather have...the same total weight of calves sold at $1.20 or $.99?????????????

Then factor in the lower maintenance cost of the cow herd and the spread gets larger!!!!!

But those 6 weight calves sure make for good bragging rights :roll: :wink:

 

[RobertMac]

PPRM, we all get paid on carcass value...directly or indirectly.

Here is the thing...if all the 'best management practices' that have been sold to producers by academia over the last thirty years were correct, then the percent of prime and choice carcasses would have increased!(No offense, Badlands) The fact is that since 1970s, the percent has decreased...even with the implementation of lower standards.

Now think about this...per 1970, the major breed makeup of the USA cattle herd was Hereford with the majority being genetically influenced by the LINEBRED BULL, ANXIETY 4th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PROGRESS????????????????

Another thing is what cows are you breeding to? The ones to make replacement heifers or the ones that could work as a terminal cross?

The fact is, she is one in the same cow!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to post another article by Larry where he addresses this.


Badlands, the common between those five men I listed is that they looked to Nature for answers. Tom Lasater is responsible for my genetics.

 

[RobertMac]

FH, question...do you still buy bulls from Larry? If not, why not?

 

[Northern Rancher]

We average 95% AAA on our home raised cattle-the last load averaged 15cwt premium on the grid so you can still get carcass quality in crossbred cattle I think. There are alot of ways to skin a cat linebreeding is just one of the ways. One thing we maybe do that alot of people don't is use the same bulls for years via A'I-I have two or three bulls that cross well back andf forth and a large semen bank of all of them so we can just keep doing what were doing for quite awhile. It's easier to just have to tweak things now and then genetically instead of reinventing the wheel every time you turn your herdbull inventory.

 

[PureCountry]

I agree Northern. When I'm happy with a real powerful, prepotent sire, I'll use him as long as I can. We always look to improve with his sons and progeny of course, but staying with a great line breeds consistency into your herd.

 

[PPRM]

PPRM, we all get paid on carcass value...directly or indirectly.

Here is the thing...if all the 'best management practices' that have been sold to producers by academia over the last thirty years were correct, then the percent of prime and choice carcasses would have increased!(No offense, Badlands) The fact is that since 1970s, the percent has decreased...even with the implementation of lower standards.

Now think about this...per 1970, the major breed makeup of the USA cattle herd was Hereford with the majority being genetically influenced by the LINEBRED BULL, ANXIETY 4th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PROGRESS????????????????

Another thing is what cows are you breeding to? The ones to make replacement heifers or the ones that could work as a terminal cross?

The fact is, she is one in the same cow!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to post another article by Larry where he addresses this.


Badlands, the common between those five men I listed is that they looked to Nature for answers. Tom Lasater is responsible for my genetics.

Robert Mac...I personally agree and disagree with this...LOL....

I don't think the % choice and Prime is as simple as one sire..Or even one Breed...A lot of Breeds from Europe and Brhama influence can bring that % down in My experience......

A lot of breed influence and the push to make grade is a more recent thing....Let me qualify this...On the Cattle I feed out to the Local Tyson Plant, I hit over 80% Choice and better.....So, I am doing something right....And I have brought this up through Angus Influence....I like some Hereford catle out there, so that is not the issue...When I was putting things together, the Premiums all related to Black Hides....At least where I live.

On the Temrinal vs Maternal cross.....Not the same for me....I have only had my own cows for about 15 years. I have culled the hell out of them...I started with Saleyard cows, so culling is a given, UNLESS....You buy older bred cows that have made a living on Hard grass that will still produce on Green Grass i have...That was a great lesson to learn....Buy Cows culled for age on Hard grass as they have proven themselves and arent at the sale for a problem...

I can trace my better cows back to three Cows I have....THree Crossbred cows BTW...Almost All thier daughters are great...So, I will tend to count on them to make my future cows.....And I will AI them to Bulls that I think will have traits that make good cows.....One Bull I used was Rito 6I6....I have sen his claves and really like them....He is not an extreme for maternal......

But, a lot of cows do well, just aren't the elite cows in my herd....By elite, I am saying those three lines are great cow after great cow, not an AI sire book elite....So, I will cross them to a growth bull that shows good carcass information....

Your Basic Premise that we all get paid on Carcass is very true. But with the Grid in my area, it is more than a guessing game anymore...And on the Acedamia.....I listen and take what I think may work for me or i see has worked for others.....In the back of my mind, I know they have not paid many bills that keep a ranch running....

I will read the other article....I am not opposed to listening to something different, just will quesion the hell out of it, LOL,

PPRM