Other Conclusions

I found <a href="http://www.montana.edu/cpa/news/nwview.php?article=4850">this study</a> about Montana cattle and feed lots, interesting. I will sum up what it says and my comment on it.<br />n<br />n1.) Feed lot operators in the Midwest feed cattle enrolled in the <a href="http://mtbeefnetwork.org/">Montana Beef Network</a> too much, up to 1400lbs, and some are too fat at slaughter time at this weight. They should be fed to a lighter weight, 1250lbs, and they will yield better. Feed lot operators need to do a better job and Montana Beef Network cattle are really great and doing good in the program<br />n<br />nMy Comment: While this might be true, cattle being fed to a weight they can't support, might it also be said that Montana cattle enrolled in the Montana Beef network did not have the appropriate genetics to feed to the preferred weight of 1400lbs? That's the way I would see it. Instead of looking at why somebody else is screwing up, i.e the feed lot operators, figure out what you are doing wrong and fix it.<br />n<br />nWhy is the feeder wrong here for wanting cattle to be fat at 1400lbs instead of lighter? The guy who bought my calves shoots for 1400lbs and sold 3/4 of the steers last year at 1400lbs while at only 15 months of age and some 60% of them went yield grade 1 with the remainder at yield grade 2. Pretty damned good if you ask me and indicates that I am doing something right. I know the rest graded out about the same a little later down the line, a little older than indicated. It might sooth a persons ego to blame someone else for your sorry cattle, but improving your breeding would solve the problem and create a demand for your cattle.<br />n<br />nHave I reached my genetic goal? No. The target is always moving and you need to take that into consideration. Improvements can still be made and I am working on it. Using different bulls for different traits drives where your herd will be in the future. Buying high quality bulls, instead of your neighbors rejects or keeping your own will help solve a lot of a persons genetic problems. Solve the problems, don't point your finger at other people and claim they are the problem. That's a sign of insecurity.<br />n<br />n<strong>The psychic task which a person can and must set for himself is not to feel secure, but to be able to tolerate insecurity. Erich Fromm </strong>