Changes in the Cattle Industry

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BRAFORDMAN

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I am doing some research for school.
I'm analyzing literacy in a subculture. And I chose ranchers.
Literacy can be internet, word of mouth, a book or any source of information.

Cattle practices include: vaccination programs, vitamin and mineral programs, EPDs, AI and Embryo Work, animal selection, buy or selling private treaty or at salebarn, grazing methods, etc.

What was your cattle operation like when you first got started, how has it changed?
What methods did you practice in your herd, when you started, that you do not practice anymore? Why did you stop?
What methods do you practice now that you did not practice when you first got started?
Are there any methods that are practiced now that you do not like or agree with? If so explain why you do not agree.
When you have questions whether simple or complex about your cattle operation, who, what or where do you go to? How has that changed from the start of your cattle operation to the present?


For Example: Maybe you went to your father for advice when you started running cattle, but now you go to seminars or use online information because you find it more accurate and more efficient than the practices your father did. Explain why you no longer ask your father and go to outside sources instead.

I myself have been raising registered Brahman for the past five years. I use to ask my father for advice, but later found out that some of his practices needed improvement and I was not going to be successful unless I went to other sources like the internet to research other practices, or asked people who had been in the business for a long period of time and have incorporated modern methods in their cattle operations.

My questions may seem vague, but basically why do you run your cattle operation the way you do now as opposed to how you did when you first got started? What sources of information do you use now for help as opposed to the sources you used in the past. Why did these things change?

Please include how long you have been in the cattle business. I will use your username to identify you. Please try to answer all questions!

Below is a Code of Ethics. Replying to this post means you are ok with me using your information in my research.

Code of Ethics
1. Respect for Persons. Respect for persons incorporates at least two ethical convictions; first, that individuals should be treated as autonomous agents, and second, that persons with diminished autonomy are entitled to protection. The principle of respect for persons thus divides into two separate moral requirements: the requirement to acknowledge autonomy and the requirement to protect those with diminished autonomy.

2. Beneficence. Persons are treated in an ethical manner not only by respecting their decisions and protecting them from harm, but also by making efforts to secure their wellbeing. The term "beneficence" covers acts of kindness or charity that go beyond strict obligation. Two general rules: (1) do not harm and (2) maximize possible benefits and minimize possible harms. I will do my best to be respectful on the blog. I do not want my data to reflect the responses of those who may be upset with me. The more respectful I am, the less bias my data will reflect.

3. Justice. An injustice occurs when some benefits to which a person is entitled is denied without good reason. Equals ought to be treated equally.. Who is equal and who is unequal? In my research we are all equal. The rules: (1) Each person's comments will be treated with respect, (2) No comment will be ignored or viewed as inferior to someone else's.

4. Informed Consent. Respect for persons required that subjects, to the degree that they are capable, be given the opportunity to choose what they want to say and what parts may be included in my research. This opportunity is provided when adequate standards for informed consent are satisfied. The consent process can be analyzed as contained three elements: information, comprehension and voluntariness.

-Information. "Most codes of research establish specific items for disclosure intended to assure that subjects are given sufficient information. These items generally include: the research procedure, their purposes, risks and anticipated benefits, alternative procedures (where therapy is involved), and a statement offering the subject the opportunity to ask questions and to withdraw at any time from the research. Additional items have been proposed, including how subjects are selected, the person responsible for the research, etc."

-Comprehension. "The manner and context in which information is conveyed is as important as the information itself. For example, presenting information in a disorganized and rapid fashion, allowing too little time for consideration or curtailing opportunities for questioning, all may adversely affect a subject's ability to make an informed choice."

-Voluntariness. "An agreement to participate in research constitutes a valid consent only if voluntarily given. This element of informed consent requires conditions free of coercion and undue influence. Coercion occurs when an overt threat of harm is intentionally presented by one person to another in order to obtain compliance. Undue influence, by contrast, occurs through an offer of an excessive. Unwarranted, inappropriate or improper reward or other overture in order to obtain compliance. Also, inducements that would ordinarily be acceptable may become undue influences if the subject is especially vulnerable."

5. Assessment of Risks and Benefits. The assessment of risks and benefits requires a careful array of relevant data, including, in some cases, alternative ways of obtaining the benefits sought in the research. Thus, the assessment presents both an opportunity and a responsibility to gather systematic and comprehensive information about proposed research. For the investigator, it is a means to examine whether the proposed research is properly designed. For a review committee, it is a method for determining whether the risks that will be presented to subjects are justified. For prospective subjects, the assessment will assist the determination whether or not to participate.

-The Nature of Scope of Risks and Benefits. "The requirement that research be justified on the basis of a favorable risk/ benefit assessment bears a close relation to the principle of beneficence, just as the moral requirement that informed consent be obtained is derived primarily from the principle of respect for persons. The term "risk" refers to a possibility that harm may occur. However, when expressions such as "small risk" or "high risk" are used, they usually refer (often ambiguously) both to the chance (probability) of experiencing a harm and the severity (magnitude) of the envisioned harm."

-The Systematic Assessment of Risks and Benefits. "It is commonly said that benefits and risks must be "balanced" and shown to be "in a favorable ratio." The metaphorical character of these terms draws attention to the difficulty of making precise judgments. Only on rare occasions will quantitative techniques be available for the scrutiny of research protocols."

-Selection of Subjects. "Just as the principle of respect for persons finds expression in the requirements for consent, and the principle of beneficence in risk/ benefit assessment, the principle of justice gives rise to moral requirement that there be fair procedure and outcomes in the selection of research subjects."
Adkins, Tabetha. "The Belmont Report." Ethnographic Inquires In Writing. First ed. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. page. Print.
 
BRAFORDMAN":18bnek8x said:
What was your cattle operation like when you first got started, how has it changed?

I started as a partner with my father. We ran cows here on the valley floor on irrigated pasture that probably should have been farmed. When I took over I switched to registered cattle for a few years as that seamed like a good choice since I do AI work for the bulk of my income. Now I run commercial cows in the hills on native grass and the pastures here in the valley are support as they house my weined heifers, horses, and bulls.

What methods did you practice in your herd, when you started, that you do not practice anymore? Why did you stop?
I'm no longer 100% AI and I don't want a purebred cow on the place unless I can use her to make bulls for my own use. I can get good results from AI with a minimal amount of effort but it would take triple the amount of effort(if even possible) for me to get anywhere near 100% AI. I don't want purebred cows because I've found heterosis to be a powerful tool for making trouble free cows.

What methods do you practice now that you did not practice when you first got started?
I am much more focused on creating a uniform set of calves and also making replacements that can work in tough environments but still produce the quality that our market demands. Rather than look for outstanding individuals however I can get them, I've shifted focus to a uniform set however I can get them.

Are there any methods that are practiced now that you do not like or agree with? If so explain why you do not agree.
I don't like not having favorites. It's hard to watch gentle cows get on the trailer and head to town when the batshyt crazy cow gets to stay because SHE gave you a calf.
I also don't particularly like having to choose genetics based on business instead of choosing what I WANT.

When you have questions whether simple or complex about your cattle operation, who, what or where do you go to? How has that changed from the start of your cattle operation to the present?
It has changed in that I don't blindly follow anyone anymore. I gather bits and pieces here, from people within the genetics company that I represent, my state cattlemen's publication, neighbors, vets, breed associations, MARC. I don't listen to my father much anymore and in fact he now asks me. Neighbors for me are a wealth of information as most have seen everything that my ground can throw at a cow since before I was born and ranching is local.

My questions may seem vague, but basically why do you run your cattle operation the way you do now as opposed to how you did when you first got started? What sources of information do you use now for help as opposed to the sources you used in the past. Why did these things change?
Profitability and a strong desire to do what is best for my cows.

Please include how long you have been in the cattle business.

On my own about twelve years but I've been involved for around thirty years. Cattle have been my main source of income for twenty years.
 
cow pollinater":3jyyuume said:
BRAFORDMAN":3jyyuume said:
What was your cattle operation like when you first got started, how has it changed?

I started as a partner with my father. We ran cows here on the valley floor on irrigated pasture that probably should have been farmed. When I took over I switched to registered cattle for a few years as that seamed like a good choice since I do AI work for the bulk of my income. Now I run commercial cows in the hills on native grass and the pastures here in the valley are support as they house my weined heifers, horses, and bulls.

What methods did you practice in your herd, when you started, that you do not practice anymore? Why did you stop?
I'm no longer 100% AI and I don't want a purebred cow on the place unless I can use her to make bulls for my own use. I can get good results from AI with a minimal amount of effort but it would take triple the amount of effort(if even possible) for me to get anywhere near 100% AI. I don't want purebred cows because I've found heterosis to be a powerful tool for making trouble free cows.

What methods do you practice now that you did not practice when you first got started?
I am much more focused on creating a uniform set of calves and also making replacements that can work in tough environments but still produce the quality that our market demands. Rather than look for outstanding individuals however I can get them, I've shifted focus to a uniform set however I can get them.

Are there any methods that are practiced now that you do not like or agree with? If so explain why you do not agree.
I don't like not having favorites. It's hard to watch gentle cows get on the trailer and head to town when the batshyt crazy cow gets to stay because SHE gave you a calf.
I also don't particularly like having to choose genetics based on business instead of choosing what I WANT.

When you have questions whether simple or complex about your cattle operation, who, what or where do you go to? How has that changed from the start of your cattle operation to the present?
It has changed in that I don't blindly follow anyone anymore. I gather bits and pieces here, from people within the genetics company that I represent, my state cattlemen's publication, neighbors, vets, breed associations, MARC. I don't listen to my father much anymore and in fact he now asks me. Neighbors for me are a wealth of information as most have seen everything that my ground can throw at a cow since before I was born and ranching is local.

My questions may seem vague, but basically why do you run your cattle operation the way you do now as opposed to how you did when you first got started? What sources of information do you use now for help as opposed to the sources you used in the past. Why did these things change?
Profitability and a strong desire to do what is best for my cows.

Please include how long you have been in the cattle business.

On my own about twelve years but I've been involved for around thirty years. Cattle have been my main source of income for twenty years.


Thank You!!!
 
What was your cattle operation like when you first got started, how has it changed?
I started with one Santa Gertrudis heifer. I now have a herd of 22 registered Santa Gertrudis and 5 crossbred cows.

What methods did you practice in your herd, when you started, that you do not practice anymore? Why did you stop?
In the mid 1980's I borrowed money to buy cows. I now operate with my own money. Back then interest rates were 10%. I wore a set of crossbred cows out trying to pay the off.

What methods do you practice now that you did not practice when you first got started?
Artificial insemination and produce better hay.

Are there any methods that are practiced now that you do not like or agree with? If so explain why you do not agree.
I don't believe you have to have black cattle to be successful. I have been order buying stocker cattle for 7 years and do not see a premium being paid for black hided calves like we did when I started.

When you have questions whether simple or complex about your cattle operation, who, what or where do you go to? How has that changed from the start of your cattle operation to the present?
I use local Extension agents and area Extension livestock and forage specialist, my veterinarian, successful producers and the internet for resources. When I started I listened to others at the café and sale barns. Some of that worked and some didn't.
 
What was your cattle operation like when you first got started, how has it changed?

I used to strive for "the look" in the calves I produced. Now it is about mortality. Fertility. Cows that calve in less than a year and lose no calves. Cows that raise good calves in this TX climate. Smooth shoulder bulls with lower birth weights. In the 60's and 70's I was helping my grandfathers and father. Square bales were the norm. You had to have barns to house your hay. No so anymore.

What methods did you practice in your herd, when you started, that you do not practice anymore? Why did you stop?

There is more money in product numbers. You can't sell what you don't produce. Fertility and mortaliy. It is simply as checking birthing records. Cows that calve every 10 1/2 to 11 months and never lose one. Keep those genetics. Twin heifers come from highly fertile genetics etc. They don't have to be pretty, just fertile. Good bull will do the rest.

What methods do you practice now that you did not practice when you first got started?

No wood posts. I was burned out back in 1990. Lost all my fencing. It was pretty disheartening.

Nurse cows. There's more money in nurse cows than any other type of commercial cattle production in my opinion. That goes back to numbers too. 10 nurse cows can produce a whole lot of commercial calves in a year's time. Wish I had ten and the time. That is my retirement plan at the moment. With 5 weight prices today, you can make money bottle feeding again. Nurse cows are even a better edge. Use beef calves on dairy cows


Are there any methods that are practiced now that you do not like or agree with? If so explain why you do not agree.

To each his own. What works for one person may not work for everyone. They change the name of everything. Someone talking to you may be speaking a different language or acronym. Some old timer knows exactly how to help that person but does not know what the heck they are talking about. So keep the language simple and listen up to the old timers who have been at this for a long time. I hate all the new terms for old school issues and I hate all the acronyms. I also hate translating.

When you have questions whether simple or complex about your cattle operation, who, what or where do you go to? How has that changed from the start of your cattle operation to the present?

I call up a vet friend of mine. Old timer who I know well and respect. Read a lot. Have learned a lot of things right here. For instance CB put me on to the cradle idea.
 
What is CB? just kidding, you just said you hated acronyms though :)

What was your cattle operation like when you first got started, how has it changed?
When we started, we started with organic, certified, bred heifers, but came from a place that didn't know what they were doing, and we lost 3 calves and 2 cows out of 12 the first year. Subsequent to that, we lost many due to prolapses, bad hooves, and bad udders. Now I place great importance on maternal calving ease, and sound bodies. I agree with Backhoeboogie as well that you can't sell what you don't raise, but you also can't sell what you need to keep as replacements, so my goal is to get my average cull age around the 10-12 year mark, which would mean I could keep 2 heifers a year to maintain my herd of about 20-25.

What methods did you practice in your herd, when you started, that you do not practice anymore? Why did you stop?
Hoof trimming! The cows just don't need it anymore

What methods do you practice now that you did not practice when you first got started?
We vaccinate for scours yearly, we lost several calves one year to scours, and had an incredible workload keeping the others alive.. It's been a great success.. we only have one every couple years now.

Are there any methods that are practiced now that you do not like or agree with? If so explain why you do not agree.
Embryo transfers, and the EPD's you get from them. When I buy a bull, I want to see what his REAL mother could do, not whatever it was that raised him. I can take the calf from a cow that raises dinks and put it under a Jersey and get great weaning weights reliably. I know cows that can make stunning bull calves and can't raise a heifer to save their life too.

When you have questions whether simple or complex about your cattle operation, who, what or where do you go to? How has that changed from the start of your cattle operation to the present?
There's a rancher across the river I know well who I call up sometimes... Or I ask the question here. Too many cooks wreck the soup, and it can be hard to sift through the information you get here.
Our vet is pretty useless.. he never expands on any question you ask him, he gives you the shortest possible answer every time and you can't seem to just have a discussion about something. I'll use him if I have a real emergency procedure, and it doesn't happen to be the weekend
 
backhoeboogie":mzym2lww said:
Caustic Burno. Good call. You got me. :)
It's only an acronym if it forms a word...CB is not a word...when his wife says it it's probably a cuss word. :lol2: :lol2:
 
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