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<blockquote data-quote="DOC HARRIS" data-source="post: 313572" data-attributes="member: 1683"><p>MikeC- <strong>VERY</strong> interesting and thought-provoking article. Thanks for posting it. </p><p></p><p>The "interesting" part is self evident. The "thought-provoking" phrase perhaps requires some edification, or analysis. I was impressed by the reaction of the "jury" when injesting the corn-fed beef, but very surprised by the same jury's reaction to the grass-fed steaks! Even though we all are well-acquainted with steak and the various cuts thereof, I would venture to say that none of us or the public really knows how, why, or what a really good steak should taste or look like, and certainly not what kind of soil it has spent its live life treading! </p><p></p><p>Inasmuch as the grass-fed beef was the least expensive to buy (and by the same token more profitable to market), it seems to me that a breed or composite animal, or strain of species, which can produce a highly desirable product for the least financial and labor-invested outlay would certainly be top on the list of selection criteria for a producer or 'finisher' of marketable beef!</p><p></p><p>Considering that the $Profit margin per head raised (or finished) affects the producers livelyhood and bank account balance at the end of the year, perhaps the many various "traits and characteristics" which, supposedly, are imperative for the production of a marketable product are not as necessary for the "BREEDING HERD" as has been propounded by some aspects of the Beef Cattle Busniess. I have heard it said that some people consider that many of the characteristics and traits being encompassed by EPD's are excessive and unnecessary, and that it is getting out of hand! What do you all think about that concept? Are we getting EPD's that are not necessary for the ultimate purpose for which they are being proposed? </p><p></p><p>Any breeder who is concerned with the sometimes <em>wide</em> disparity between the IMF and RE figures knows that they are antagonistic traits, and much time and effort and thought is given in attempting to make the figures "look" balanced and desirable. Is that a waste of time? Should we be so concerned with a low IMF EPD that it automatically eliminates that animal from our consideration? Do we need to re-adjust our criteria in Seedstock selection? Change our templates? Consider a different pattern with our Herd Bulls?</p><p></p><p>Are we riding a runaway train in Breed selection protocols? Are we functioning in our BU$INE$$ out of habit? Because it is easier than really thinking about a NEW idea? Given the relatively new concept of using corn and other grain in the production of Ethenol, what is going to happen to the VALUE of grain, and consequently the price of corn on the retail market? Can the Beef producer continue to accept the "Corn-Fed" protocol of marketing his product in the face of higher and higher production costs when grass-fed beef is <em>tastier and more economical to produce</em> than corn-fed? Will the everyday general public continue to buy expensive cuts of meat at the Super Market that don't taste any better than when it was less expensive? Will THAT lower the consumption of BEEF? Will that hurt YOUR income? </p><p></p><p>Can you think of a way of cutting overhead costs and producing the Beef product with less labor than the conventional way that has been in vogue for years and years?</p><p></p><p>Concerned reader's want to know!</p><p></p><p>Let's hear some ideas.</p><p></p><p>DOC HARRIS</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="DOC HARRIS, post: 313572, member: 1683"] MikeC- [b]VERY[/b] interesting and thought-provoking article. Thanks for posting it. The "interesting" part is self evident. The "thought-provoking" phrase perhaps requires some edification, or analysis. I was impressed by the reaction of the "jury" when injesting the corn-fed beef, but very surprised by the same jury's reaction to the grass-fed steaks! Even though we all are well-acquainted with steak and the various cuts thereof, I would venture to say that none of us or the public really knows how, why, or what a really good steak should taste or look like, and certainly not what kind of soil it has spent its live life treading! Inasmuch as the grass-fed beef was the least expensive to buy (and by the same token more profitable to market), it seems to me that a breed or composite animal, or strain of species, which can produce a highly desirable product for the least financial and labor-invested outlay would certainly be top on the list of selection criteria for a producer or 'finisher' of marketable beef! Considering that the $Profit margin per head raised (or finished) affects the producers livelyhood and bank account balance at the end of the year, perhaps the many various "traits and characteristics" which, supposedly, are imperative for the production of a marketable product are not as necessary for the "BREEDING HERD" as has been propounded by some aspects of the Beef Cattle Busniess. I have heard it said that some people consider that many of the characteristics and traits being encompassed by EPD's are excessive and unnecessary, and that it is getting out of hand! What do you all think about that concept? Are we getting EPD's that are not necessary for the ultimate purpose for which they are being proposed? Any breeder who is concerned with the sometimes [i]wide[/i] disparity between the IMF and RE figures knows that they are antagonistic traits, and much time and effort and thought is given in attempting to make the figures "look" balanced and desirable. Is that a waste of time? Should we be so concerned with a low IMF EPD that it automatically eliminates that animal from our consideration? Do we need to re-adjust our criteria in Seedstock selection? Change our templates? Consider a different pattern with our Herd Bulls? Are we riding a runaway train in Breed selection protocols? Are we functioning in our BU$INE$$ out of habit? Because it is easier than really thinking about a NEW idea? Given the relatively new concept of using corn and other grain in the production of Ethenol, what is going to happen to the VALUE of grain, and consequently the price of corn on the retail market? Can the Beef producer continue to accept the "Corn-Fed" protocol of marketing his product in the face of higher and higher production costs when grass-fed beef is [i]tastier and more economical to produce[/i] than corn-fed? Will the everyday general public continue to buy expensive cuts of meat at the Super Market that don't taste any better than when it was less expensive? Will THAT lower the consumption of BEEF? Will that hurt YOUR income? Can you think of a way of cutting overhead costs and producing the Beef product with less labor than the conventional way that has been in vogue for years and years? Concerned reader's want to know! Let's hear some ideas. DOC HARRIS [/QUOTE]
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