Larger framed cattle more efficient?

[MikeC]

Found this tidbit on the Ankony website:

Performance became the order of the day. Ankony began weighing all calves at birth, weaning and yearling, initiating one of the most complete information systems in the beef industry. With the addition of Dr. Robert Long to the partnership, Ankony established its own scoring system to include muscling, frame, structural soundness, breed character and trimness. The serious business of cattle breeding became even more intense at Ankony as they sensed the need for change to meet industry needs. Commercial men were demanding larger framed, more efficient cattle than had been the order of the day in years past. With these ideas foremost in mind, Ankony initiated a series of strategic moves.

 

[Beefy]

thats what they want, larger AND more efficient. that doesnt mean they necessarily are. in my opinion they are not. medium is the way to go.

 

[MountainFarmChar]

I eliminated my 1800+lb cows because even though they had raised a big calf at weaning time, they were not close to 900lbs big. However, my 1400lb cows will raise a calf much closer and right at half their own weight at weaning time and they are easier handled and maintained.

Don't claim to be an expert just sharing my experience :nod: .

 

[TheBullLady]

Ankony.. red Simmental breeders? Interesting.. since Simmentals used to be large framed, until the industry demanded they "fit the box".

 

[CowpokeJ]

Well, what were the strategic moves?

 

[dun]

Well, what were the strategic moves?

Breed for 600 lb cows that wean 700 lb calves.

dun

 

[ollie']

This is one of the biggest jokes in the industry. People (ranches and bull salesmen) say we are striving to raise profitable cattle or what the industry wants or efficient cattle. In the last 10 years it's always been followed with things like "we're moderating our mature cow size "or "decreasing frame score." I had one ranch owner say that a few months ago in relation to the frame race of the 70's . He said since then we have had to meet our customers needs and moderate our cow size so we are raising a more efficient cow. I asked him, " in the 70's were you and your seedstock friends not raising profitable cattle or not meeting your customers demands?
The target is an ever moving target. You have to stay aware of the current trends and marketing ploys or marketing efforts and decide if you can make that work on your operation. Some things I'll change toward if it makes me more money, some things I won't. The good thing is if you wait long enough the marketing trends will eventually come around to where your cattle will fit the "box" in some market or another. In my case I have to have guts and pounds to make money. My cattle will always be big volumed and unless I make a mistake , heavy. That's what I like and what makes me money.

Edit. I guess I had better clarify my rant. They raised tiny little cattle in the 50's because that was what the market trend was. They raised giants in the late 70's because that waa what the market demanded. They are raising epd's today, because that is what the market is demanding. ;-)

 

[boone]

I was always taught that you could only justify a big cow if she weaned a calf that was enough bigger than the calves the moderate frame cows produced to cover the expense of the extra feed/pasture it took to maintain her extre body weight. Boone

 

[Engler]

When are they talking here? If it was a quote from the 50's then yes the bigger cattle would be more efficiant-frame 3 to frame 5. But if this is talking about the 70's more frame would have been bad. More size equals more performance to a point, but after a while the old addage of less is more comes into play.

As livestock breeders we've reverted and are getting back to the little puds. Then again I've never known the American farmer not to go at things guns blazing and overshoot the target.

 

[certherfbeef]

They are raising epd's today, because that is what the market is demanding.

This made me laugh out loud!!!

 

[Caustic Burno]

They are raising epd's today, because that is what the market is demanding.

This made me laugh out loud!!!

Now that is funny but so true.

 

[la4angus]

They are raising epd's today, because that is what the market is demanding.

This made me laugh out loud!!!

Now that is funny but so true.

The sad thing is that many people looking at EPD's don't know what the Letters or initials stand for, or what the the numbers mean.

 

[*Cowgirl*]

They are raising epd's today, because that is what the market is demanding.

This made me laugh out loud!!!

Now that is funny but so true.

The sad thing is that many people looking at EPD's don't know what the numbers stand for, or what they mean.

Ha! So I'm not the only one that has noticed this! :mrgreen:

 

[Beef11]

Breed for 600 lb cows that wean 700 lb calves.

I really like this idea, I had a 900lb cow that raised a 650 lb calf, it was beautiful. Truly efficent

 

[DOC HARRIS]

The serious business of cattle breeding became even more intense at Ankony as they sensed the need for change to meet industry needs. Commercial men were demanding larger framed, more efficient cattle than had been the order of the day in years past.

To answer the questions some of youj hve expressed regarding the above quote - this was when they were attempting to get away from the "Pony Type" Sunbeam strain of Angus that almost killed the breed!

DOC HARRIS

 

[DOC HARRIS]

They are raising epd's today, because that is what the market is demanding.

This made me laugh out loud!!!

Now that is funny but so true.

The sad thing is that many people looking at EPD's don't know what the numbers stand for, or what they mean.

Ha! So I'm not the only one that has noticed this! :mrgreen:

READ AND LEARN! READ AND LEARN! READ AND LEARN!!

DON'T GET ME ST - - - -

DOC HARRIS

 

[KenB]

Breed for 600 lb cows that wean 700 lb calves.

I really like this idea, I had a 900lb cow that raised a 650 lb calf, it was beautiful. Truly efficent

How much creep feed did it take?

 

[blk mule]

Well said Ollie` It is a ever moving target. The old saying in Ky. If you don`t like the weather stick around awhile it will change. I believe this applies to cattle frame also.


blk mule

 

[dun]

When are they talking here? If it was a quote from the 50's then yes the bigger cattle would be more efficiant-frame 3 to frame 5. But if this is talking about the 70's more frame would have been bad. More size equals more performance to a point, but after a while the old addage of less is more comes into play.

As livestock breeders we've reverted and are getting back to the little puds. Then again I've never known the American farmer not to go at things guns blazing and overshoot the target.

I was curious about the same thing concerning the time frame of the article. Is the efficiency being addressed for feedlot performance or the cow herd?

dun

 

[Brandonm2]

Breed for 600 lb cows that wean 700 lb calves.

I really like this idea, I had a 900lb cow that raised a 650 lb calf, it was beautiful. Truly efficent

How much creep feed did it take?

A 650 lb calf out of a 900 lb commercial cow?? We have done that several times before and it didn't take ANY creep feed. A good milking little English moma cow that might be a little stunted due to being raised on grass crossed to a framy exotic like Mike's bigger Chars will do it. Of course the heifers out of that cross are going to be bigger framed, heavier set cows than their mama was too so it is hard to repeat it in the next generation.