Tracking Genetic Performance Through Data
Cattle producers rarely witness the final stage of the beef supply chain. Most ranchers focus on cow-calf operations, weaning calves in the fall or backgrounding them until spring. The vast majority of these producers never see the finishing phase. This distance creates a significant gap in management and genetic selection.
Lee Mayo, general manager of HRC Feed Yards in Scott City, Kansas, argues that this disconnect hampers industry growth. He believes more producers should follow their calves through the feedlot to understand actual performance. The American Hereford Association (AHA) addresses this issue through its feedout programs, including the National Junior Hereford Association Fed Steer Shootout. These programs offer a practical way for breeders to collect data on their own cattle.
Learning Through Real-World Experience
Denise Loyning of L Bar W Cattle Co. in Absarokee, Montana, views these programs as a necessary reality check. Her operation started sending calves to the HRC feedlot three years ago. The carcass data provided by the program forced them to change their sire selection and health protocols. She notes that breeders often avoid this step because they fear what they might find, but she believes that knowing the truth is the only way to improve.
Carlisle Braman, a sixth-generation rancher from Refugio, Texas, echoes this sentiment. Braman used the program to test crossbreeding strategies for heat tolerance. She experimented with Hereford-influenced Brahman tiger stripes to handle the intense South Texas heat. Her data showed that these crossbreeds maintained better feed intake during summer months compared to solid black cattle. The feedout gives her concrete evidence to adjust her breeding goals based on environmental demands rather than guesswork.
The Role of Industry Collaboration
Trey Befort, AHA director of commercial programs, emphasizes the value of the annual Hereford Feedout Field Day. This event connects participants with experts in nutrition, animal health, and beef packing. It provides a crash course for producers on how their management decisions at home affect carcass quality and profitability. Educators demonstrate everything from feedlot rations to hands-on necropsy procedures to ensure participants understand the entire process.
Relationships remain the cornerstone of this initiative. Producers interact directly with veterinarians, nutritionists, and feedlot managers to refine their operations. Mayo notes that the collaborative environment helps younger breeders learn the art of the trade from industry veterans. As more producers enroll their steers and heifers in these programs, the Hereford industry gains a clearer picture of its genetic strengths and weaknesses. The goal is simple. Replace hope with data.