Lessons learned from 32 years of retained ownership – TCSCF summary

Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity (TCSCF) was started by Pottawattamie, Cass and Shelby County Cattleman’s Association in 1982. The nine member board wanted to know “what was the most profitable steer to feed?” In 2002, the SW Iowa cowcalf consigners utilizing the TCSCF program formed a service cooperative. The current 10 member board has 7 cow-calf producers, two allied industry representatives and one veterinarian

A Seven Year Summary of Feeding Cull Market Cows

Nine groups totaling 457 culled market cows were fed high concentrate rations at two locations in SW Iowa to demonstrate the possibilities of finishing for the “White Fat Cow” market. Average profit per head was $16.54 with a range$174.36 to -$91.45. Adjusted final weights ranged from 1484 to 1646 pounds, while average daily gains ranged from 2.88 to 4.55 pounds daily during a 70 to 91 day feeding program. Dry matter feed conversions on a shrunk basis ranged from 8.70 to 12.78 pounds per pound of gain with an average of 10.91. From 78.4 to 98.8 percent of the cows within the fed groups qualified in the “Premium White Fat” grades with an average of 85.5$98.03 with a range of $70.81 to$156.85. Delivery weight had a significant impact on average daily gain, feed cost of gain and total cost of gain; however body condition score had no significant impact on performance traits or cost of gain

Does Carcass Value Gain per Day on Feed Used in the 4-H Program Relate to Cattle Feeding Profitability?

Data from 410 feedout groups representing 29,389 head from the Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity Cooperative were analyzed to test the validity of using carcass value per day on feed (CVDOF) as a ranking tool in 4-H beef performance carcass contests. All feedout groups were calculated for feedlot profit using standardized feed and yardage costs, yet using their actual health treatment costs and miscellaneous costs. CVDOF is calculated using carcass weight gain per day during the feeding period and adjusting that for red meat yield using the percent retail product equation. This result is then put on a monetary basis by using a carcass price adjusted for carcass quality and yield grade. CVDOF when tested for its relationship to feedlot profitability was highly significant and accounted for 74 percent of the variation in profit. If one desires a ranking equation in the 4-H beef performance carcass program that relates well to feedlot profitability then CVDOF proves to be quite effective

Evaluation and Observation of Testing Feed Efficiency in Angus Seedstock Heifers

A total of 38 Angus heifers in four contemporary groups over two years were evaluated for pelleted feed intakes, feed conversions and residual feed intake (RFI) using a PinPointer feeding system at Wardens Farms, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Daily pellet intakes (.47 mcal/lb of NEg) averaged 18.6 lbs during the first week and peaked at week nine with 26 lbs. Individual heifer variation on a percent of body weight basis was from 2.1% to 3.3%, but during week 2 the range was 1.7%. Adjusted feed conversions calculated using BIF guidelines averaged 8.11 and 13.24 for 2005 and 2006, respectively. RFIs by methodology averaged zero, but had a standard deviation of 1.24 and 1.18 for both years, respectively, which is similar to evaluations looking at bulls for efficiency. RFIs calculated at 56 days on test were compared to end of test RFIs and were found to be significantly (P\u3c.0001) correlated at .85. RFI was found to be significantly (P\u3c.0001) correlated to average daily feed intake at .61, but not correlated to any other measures of performance including ultrasound traits

Effects of Second Implant on Feedlot Gain and Carcass Traits

Two hundred eighteen steers were finished in a total confinement deep-bedded system at the Armstrong Research Farm, Lewis, IA during 2009. All steers were implanted with Synovex-Choice on day 1 and half the steers in each pen were implanted with Synovex-Choice on day 56. All steers were harvested on day 118. The 2nd implant resulted in an immediate and significant improvement in average daily gain. In the 76 day weigh period following reimplantation the group receiving the 2nd implant gained .66 lb/day more than the group not receiving an additional implant. The overall average daily gain of steers implanted once compared to the steers implanted twice was 3.81 vs. 4.10. The 2nd implant group produced significantly heavier carcasses. There were no significant differences in carcass fat cover or ribeye area. The twice implanted steers had a lower percentage low Choice or better (P=.0571) and a greater percentage Select (P=.0555). Implanting a second time resulted in an increase in carcass weights, an almost significant reduction in % Choice but still resulted in a numerical, non-significant increase in carcass value

The Significance of Finished Cattle Sorting Methodology on Grid Market Performance and Enhanced Revenue for Calf-Fed Beef Cattle

During the past 15 years there has been a major change in the way finished cattle are marketed. Live bids on complete pens of cattle are less prevalent with the advent of value-based marketing where there is an increased emphasis placed on carcass quality and red meat yield. Value-based marketing establishes value based on the animal’s own individual carcass merit. Various grid markets have specifications for important carcass traits that include quality grade, yield grade, and carcass weight. Carcasses that exceed the criteria receive premiums while those that fall short of the specifications receive discounts that in some cases are quite severe. Because of this newer pricing system there may be economic advantages to sort cattle at the end of the feeding period. Past research has demonstrated that sorting cattle by specific traits results in reducing the variation of the traits being evaluated. Feedlots and producers need a sort system that can be performed in a minimal amount of time and expense and is accurate in identifying animals that meet the specifications for a particular market

Factors Affecting Lot Low Choice and Above and Lot Premium Choice Acceptance Rate of Beef Calves in the Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity Program

Data describing 220 lots of beef cattle in the Tri-County Steer Carcass Futurity program from 2003 through 2007 were analyzed using a multiple regression statistical model to determine specific factors that influence lot low Choice and above rate and lot premium Choice (Certified Angus Beef © ) acceptance rate. Lot low Choice and above rate was similar for years 2005-2007. This rate was significantly lower in 2003 than 2004 but both the 2003 and 2004 rates were similar to the rate in all other years. Lots consisting of heifers had higher (P\u3c.05) low Choice and above rates than lots of steers or mixed-sex pens. The greater the amount of Angus influence in the cattle, the higher the low Choice and above rate (P\u3c.0001). An inverse relationship existed between feedlot in-weight and lot low Choice and above rate; those cattle with lighter feedlot arrival weights had higher % Choice and above rates (P=.0007). Cattle with lower disposition scores (calmer cattle) had higher % Choice and above rates (P=.0496). Low Choice and above rate increased as cattle became less efficient in converting feed to gain (P=.0027). An inverse relationship existed between cost of gain and low Choice and above rate; those cattle with lower cost of gain had higher low Choice and above rates (P=.0043). Lot low Choice and above rate increased as average daily gain increased (P=.0094). Factors examined that did not have a significant effect on lot low Choice and above rate were: mud score at final sort, geographic region of origin, lot mortality rate, number of harvest groups within each lot, days on feed, adjusted final weight, individual treatment cost per head, lot size, and season of harvest. Lot premium Choice acceptance rate was similar in each year from 2003-2006 but was significantly lower in 2007 compared with all other years. Lots consisting of heifers had higher (P\u3c.05) premium Choice acceptance rates than lots of steers or mixed-sex pens. Cattle harvested during the months October through December had a lower lot premium Choice acceptance rate than those harvested during January through March, April through June, or July through September (P\u3c.05). The greater the amount of Angus influence in the cattle, the higher the lot premium Choice acceptance rate (P\u3c.0064). An inverse relationship existed between feedlot in-weight and lot premium Choice acceptance rate; those cattle with lighter feedlot arrival weights had higher premium Choice acceptance rates (P\u3c.0001). Lot premium Choice acceptance rate increased as average daily gain increased (P=.0003); however lots of cattle that were less efficient at converting feed into gain had higher premium Choice acceptance rates (P\u3c.0104). Factors examined that did not have a significant effect on lot premium Choice acceptance rate were: mud score at final sort, individual treatment cost per head, number of harvest groups within each lot, days on feed, cost of gain, lot size, geographic region of origin, average disposition score, adjusted final weight, and lot mortality rate