On the growth implant issue...

[cure]

Let me add some more fuel to the fire here. I am also a dairy producer the milk that I produce and sell is considered natural because I dont use a hormone call BST. But on the other side of the equation BST is a naturally occuring hormone that the cow produces to produce milk. But I do impant my steer calves at branding and also at pre-weanning vac.
Now let me give you some facts about my operation. I get above average milk price for my milk because it is considered "natural" but on the other side I also get above agerage price for my steer calves not only because they are bigger. But because of how they perform well in the feedlot and 90% of them will grade choice at the packing house.
So in my opinion if something works in your favor to help you keep ahead of the storm why not take avantage of it.

 

[Grassfarmer]

Let me add some more fuel to the fire here. I am also a dairy producer the milk that I produce and sell is considered natural because I dont use a hormone call BST. But on the other side of the equation BST is a naturally occuring hormone that the cow produces to produce milk. But I do impant my steer calves at branding and also at pre-weanning vac.
Now let me give you some facts about my operation. I get above average milk price for my milk because it is considered "natural" but on the other side I also get above agerage price for my steer calves not only because they are bigger. But because of how they perform well in the feedlot and 90% of them will grade choice at the packing house.
So in my opinion if something works in your favor to help you keep ahead of the storm why not take avantage of it.

I know the point you are trying to make cure, but I question the logic.
You say you get above average price on your steers because they are bigger, how well they perform in the feedlot and how well they grade at the packing plant. Logically your payoff from implanting will come from selling heavier weight calves (assuming you sell calves and don't retain ownership.) Any benefit in the feedlot performance will not accrue to you unless you retain ownership, indeed feedlot owners would likely get a better response if implanting cattle on arrival that had not previously been implanted. As another poster pointed out it is generally accepted that implants help yield but not grade. If you get a high % choice you must have good genetics and a good feeding regime in place - the implants don't give you more choice grade cattle.

 

[High Plains]

I believe that Cure is stating that his cattle have known history of achieving high quality grades and good feedlot performance even with the implants. It's not such an exact science to just say that implants destroy the quality grade. Yes, they do pull back on the marbling, but good genetics can go on and put some tremendous carcass numbers on the board. I just reviewed some twice-implanted steers today that did 80% Choice and 18% Prime. Saw the summary sheet with my own eyes.

It's not the either/or proposition that folks want to make it out to be.

HP