By Larry Stalcup Contributing Editor
Heavier cows are the norm on many ranches these days, as producers try to wean heavier calves to pocket unheard-of prices that set records nearly daily. But if a ranch’s forage is adequate to feed 1,400-pound cows and their grazing calves, it may be enough to feed 25 to 30 percent more lighter weight cows and boost calf production even more, said Mark Johnson, Oklahoma State University (OSU) Extension beef cattle specialist.
Johnson was among many presenters at this spring’s Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Convention in Fort Worth. He stressed that, although calf markets are pushing a fascinating $4 pound, producers should plan for lower markets when the rallies settle down.
“We’re living in the most robust, high-price beef markets I’ve ever seen,” said Johnson, who also ranches in north central Oklahoma near Orlando. “Every segment of the industry showed a profit in 2023. And prices are much higher now due to drought, fewer beef cows and strong consumer demand.
“But don’t get complacent. There are opportunities to improve our margins through better genetics and ranch management.”
Consider Higher Stocking Rates
Johnson explained that increasing stocking rates with lighter females may increase revenue. For example, if a pasture’s forage can support about 70 1,400-pound cows, it should also be able to handle 100 1,000-pound cows, based on the amount of forage consumed per body weight.
“The relationship of cow mature weight to calf weaning weight is about 10:1,” he said, examining OSU ranch management data. “So 1,000-pound cows should wean calves weighing about 510 pounds, compared to about 550 pounds for the 1,400-pound cows.”
With those weights, the weaned calves from the 100 lighter females would have a total weaned weight of about 51,000 pounds (100 x 510 pounds). Calves from the 70, 1,400 pound cows would see a total weaned weight of nearly 39,000 pounds (70 x 550 pounds)
In late May, an OKC West Livestock Market sale saw some “fancy” 550- to 560-pound steers bring about $385/cwt. That price was similar to prices for 510- to 520-pound steers. Of course, total pounds would vary, depending on the death loss rate and other production factors.
But based on the price of $385/cwt., the sample of 70 550-pound steers would have sold for about $2,100/head, or about $147,000 for the 70 head.
The 100 510-pound steers would have brought slightly less than $2,000/head. However, with 100 head to sell, they would have grossed about $200,000. That’s about $50,000 more from the same pasture to support fewer but heavier cows.
“It works out that a certain amount of pasture is going to accommodate a certain amount of beef,” Johnson told CALF News. “Sometimes, less is more in the profit equation. Grazing more calves to lighter weaning weights usually grosses and nets more money.”
Better EPDs Equate to Higher ROI
Again, the value of calves varies. Their genetic traits can mean the difference in their grading Prime and Choice, down to Select or lower. “Our end users [of calves] will continue to impact our entire production chain,” Johnson said. “By providing documentation of genetic potential, the next buyer is likely more willing to pay more for that documented higher quality animal.
“With the ability of producers to provide data on genetic potential, a load of 500-pound weaned calves or 900-pound yearlings are often returning more gross revenue than loads weighing 50 pounds more.”
When measuring EPDs, heritability is considered a measure of the degree (0 to 100 percent) to which offspring resemble their parents for a specific trait, Johnson said, adding that marbling, with a 50 percent heritability rate, is among the most important factors in measuring EPDs. Higher marbling typically generates higher-quality beef.
Along with his role as an OSU beef specialist and cow-calf operator, Johnson is on the American Angus Association (AAA) Board of Directors. AAA offers various tools that can help producers improve their genetics.
In late May, AAA released new EPDs to generate better maternal genetic values. “One is for functional longevity that identifies the genetic value reported in the number of calves weaned by the age of 6,” Johnson said.
“Another new EPD reads udders to help identify females with a tighter udder suspension that will help them stay in production longer. Also, a new teat size EPD identifies females that have more refined, smaller teats that make it easier for baby calves to nurse and consume more colostrum.
“Producers can select traits that lead to more problem-free, functional cows with better feet, better udders and better fertility that manage to conceive and wean a calf annually.”
All breed registries have data on EPDs and genetic values. Johnson encouraged producers to use the data available from their breed associations. “They may vary in the extent they have programs to help market a producer’s calves,” he explained. “With the AngusLink value-added programs, we’re able to provide producers with a scorecard for their calves based on the EPDs of bulls they use.”
There are numerous value-added programs to match calves with markets that can provide a premium price in the end. Better genetics help; however, sound animal health programs and price risk management are needed to protect the health and value of those calves.
“But remember, there are no silver bullets out there,” stressed Johnson.
And that’s for calves that are out of lighter or heavier cows.
