Page 22 - MWC 3-31-2022s

Beefmaster Commits to 5 PRINCIPLES The Midwest Cattleman · March 31, 2022 · P22
them contained in a specific
Sustainability with Efficiency EPDs continued from page 21 area. It’s not perfect, but it is
highly effective in extensive
grass growth slows, rotations
can slow as well and should range pastures with a side
slow to encourage uniform benefit of being a great train-
By Jeralyn Novak consumption of all available ing ground for young horses

Last fall, Beefmaster and balances post weaning forages. Water and fencing and dogs, as well as making
cattle easier to herd and han-
Breeders United (BBU) was growth (the growth from are most often the limiting dle.
pleased to announce the de- weaning to yearling) with factors in how often rota- Always leave as much re-
velopment and release of the RFI EPD. This index is tions can be done. The use of sidual as possible to allow
their Residual Feed Intake designed to select for animals temporary electric fence and for quicker recovery. Don’t
(RFI) Expected Progeny Dif- that excel in feed efficiency virtual fence have decreased forget that wildlife consump-
ference (EPD) and Feed Effi- and post weaning growth. these barriers greatly. A lit- tion may be a factor. In areas
ciency Index ($FE). Beefmas- The new RFI EPD and $FE tle advice, get good with and where wildlife exists, that
ter breeders and commercial Index joins an extensive and learn to love electric fence. I forage consumption must be
cattlemen now have the most powerful group of EPDs and have no experience with vir- taken into consideration in
powerful Beefmaster selec- indices that are available to tual fence, but it looks very the grazing model. The lon-
tion tools at their fingertips. the progressive cattlemen promising and practical in ger cattle are left in one pas-
“Both of these efficiency who utilize Beefmaster ge- many cases. In many of the ture to select or “high grade”
EPDs will assist producers netics in their seedstock and larger native range pastures and trample forages, the
to select animals that are commercial cattle operations. that I deal with regularly, lower the harvest efficiency
feed efficient and fit into the Not only do these tools im- it is not feasible to build an will be, so you must remem-
ever-increasing demand for prove feed efficiency, but also electric fence, as it would re- ber that available forage will
sustainability in the beef in- global beef sustainability. quire miles of electric fencing be reduced when calculating
dustry,” said Lance Bauer, Beefmaster Breeders United each day to allow for daily stocking rate for that pas-
BBU Director of Breed Im- is committed to producing movement. It sometimes re- ture.
provement. beef that is socially responsi- quires over 10 acres to create Don’t be afraid of failure
Residual feed intake is a ble, environmentally sound, one AUM, and many desert as you will most definitely
measure of feed efficiency. and economically viable. We environments in the western try some things that don’t
RFI is the difference between are devoted to supplying a U.S. require many more acres work. If it doesn’t work, try
an animal’s actual intake beef product that prioritizes to support a cow. For this applying the principles dif-
and expected intake based planet, people, and progress. reason, we regularly herd in ferently. The important thing
on size and growth of an an- “Through implementing these pastures. After the cat- is to apply the principles in a
imal on a feed test. The new these new genetic tools, we tle have come into water mid- way that is practical for your
Beefmaster RFI EPD utiliz- are announcing our commit- day, we herd them to the part operation. The principles
es ultrasound measured rib ment to support our mem- of the pasture that we want work everywhere, but the ap-
fat in the calculation to help bership and cattle producers grazed in the next 24 hours plication may look different
select for animals that will in growing and harvesting and settle them in that area. for you as compared to your
grow and maintain optimal sustainable beef products The next day they will graze neighbor.
condition. When examining around the globe,” said Col- their way back to the water
this EPD it is important to lin Osbourn, BBU Executive and we herd them to a differ- progressivecattle.com
notate that an animal with a Vice President. ent area. In essence, we are
lower RFI EPD is expected to For more information rotating the cattle every day
eat less and be more efficient, about BBU and Beefmaster but with less control than if
when compared to an animal genetics please contact the we could build fences to keep
with a higher RFI EPD. office at 210-732-3132 or visit
The new Feed Efficiency www.beefmasters.org.
Index is referred to as $FE • Featuring ‘ Program’
Cattle Weekly

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