CALF_News_October_November_2021

34 CALF News • October | November 2021 • www.calfnews.net By Larry Stalcup Contributing Editor W ith calf prices still keeping some margins in the red, beef produc- ers are clamoring for good news on markets. A recent upward price shift is a start. But there is a route to price premiums that can peg $20/cwt. through better genetics, better animal health and better ranch management. Speakers at July’s Texas and South- western Cattle Raisers (TSCRA) Convention and Expo analyzed those subjects and more at the Fort Worth- sized gathering that attracted some 4,500 producers and allied industries. It was a longed-for escape from zillions of Zoom summits since COVID-19 stam- peded live meetings a year and a half ago. Aimed at providing answers to profit- hungry producers, TSCRA’s School for Successful Ranching topics cut to the chase. Among the messages was one from long-time industry ambassador Troy Marshall. He said the use of the Genetic Merit Scorecard (GMS) might help improve feeder calf value. “There is a lot of robust demand for beef,” Marshall said, describing the atti- tude toward quality beef among consum- ers and restaurants, other food service and especially retailers, which saw sales escalate during the pandemic. “That’s because we are producing a much higher quality product and consumers like it.” Marshall, director of commercial industry relations for the American Angus Association (AAA), said AAA’s Angus- Link mission of providing value-added programs sees value in the scorecard feature. It is enabling producers to pocket up to $20/cwt. more for their calves. “GMS gives producers the ability to effectively communicate the genetic merit of their calves to potential buyers,” he said. “They can differentiate their calves from others on sale day.” In the GMS, genetics of calves or yearlings that are enrolled in the program are the biggest factor. They receive three scores designed to determine their genetic merit. Scores are based on sires, as well as the genetic makeup of the cowherd. The cow-side contribution is based on a description of their breed composition, such as 80 percent Angus and 20 percent Hereford, and the genetic merit of bulls used historically that have influenced heif- ers retained in the herd as replacements. Each score is based on a 0-200 scale, with 100 representing the industry score. There are three GMS scores:  A Beef Score, which looks at EPDs for marbling, carcass weight, feed effi- ciency and other traits to gauge feedlot performance and carcass value.  A Feedlot Performance Score, which looks at EPDs for average daily gain and dry matter intake to gauge post- weaning performance on feed.  A Grid Score, which looks at EPDs for reference marbling, fat and ribeye area to gauge performance on a grid. A sample scorecard may read: Beef Score – 137; Feedlot Score – 130; and Grid Score – 132. AAA’s AngusLink scores' foundation uses Value Indexes to identify better production potential. They are $B (Beef Score), $F (Feedlot Performance) and $G (Grid Score). To raise the Beef Score, select EPDs for higher $B. To raise Feedlot Perfor- mance, select for higher $F. To raise the Grid Score, select for higher $G. This tool and GMS also serve as platforms to track genetic progress to make sure the next calf crop is better than the last one, Marshall indicated. Value-Based Markets Marshall said there are more than 100 value-based markets that pay premiums for cattle produced in value-added calf CATTLE RAISERS CONVENTION AND EXPO Higher Prices Ahead, Value-Based Markets Produce Premiums A high Genetic Merit Scorecard can prove a winner for producers seeking higher premiums for their cattle, said American Angus Association’s Troy Marshall.