Discussions topics were both specific and wide-ranging during the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) Symposium held in Calgary, Alberta, July 3-7. The usual suspects (expected progeny differences [EPDs], genomic testing, heterosis) were covered, as were some issues (beef-on-dairy, methane emissions, cardiac health) that may have been a bit more of a surprise to the uninitiated at an event ostensibly dedicated to beef cattle genetics.
Several presenters spent significant time discussing the dairy industry. And, in today’s market, why not? This fascination with dairy comes with good reason. As Peter Amer of AbacusBio Limited pointed out, more than 80% of North American dairy calves in a given year end up being fed and harvested as beef animals.
Mike Lohuis of Semex told attendees that, depending on the year, between 20% and 40% of the entire Canadian dairy herd produces calves from sexed semen of beef breed bulls. Lohuis talked about how innovative genetic selection can create a more positive public opinion of the livestock industry, and he said the beef-on-dairy phenomenon can play a huge role in that.
Mike Lohuis of the Semex Alliance discusses how using innovative genetic selection can help improve the narrative around animal agriculture. Photo by Tyrell Marchant.
“Can producing beef from the dairy herd change the narrative?” he said. “Dairy beef produces both milk and more beef on the carbon footprint of one calf. We are turning a byproduct into a core product. Dairy and beef producers are getting better at communicating each other’s expectations to each other, so that product will only get better.”
Many speakers touched on finding a healthy balance of desired genetic outcomes the beef industry selects for. Ken Odde, a Kansas State University professor emeritus whose family owns and operates a cow-calf ranch in South Dakota, said he believes North American seedstock producers have placed such an emphasis on creating bulls that pass on strong maternal traits that terminal carcass traits have drifted to the background. He pointed to greater adoption of technologies such as sexed semen, heterospermic insemination (using semen from multiple bulls in one straw) and embryo transfer as possible solutions to the industry pendulum swinging too far in either direction.
Members of the McClaren family and employees of 44 Farms of Cameron, Texas, accept the award for the BIF Seedstock Producer of the Year, July 5. Photo courtesy of Beef Improvement Federation.
“As it stands,” he said, “male calves are really a byproduct of heifer production.”
Odde acknowledged that progress isn’t as simple as agreeing that something is a good idea and adopting it. Most progress in that regard, he said, will of necessity come from “the top 10 percent” of seedstock producers.
“There are a lot of things that go into this besides just the genetic research and improvement,” Odde said. “The typical ranch needs to be able to put together a truckload of like calves they can sell. Labor is also an issue; it takes a lot of work to A.I. and ET [embryo transfer].”
Douglas Lake Cattle Company of Douglas Lake, British Columbia, was recognized as the Beef Improvement Federation Commercial Producer of the Year on July 4. Pictured left to right are 2023 BIF Vice President Kevin Schultz, Douglas Lake Cattle Company Manager Phil Braig and Drovers columnist Nevil Speer, who presented the award. Photo courtesy of Beef Improvement Federation.
Also heard at the 2023 BIF symposium:
“Today, we have cattle with big engines that can run really fast. In fact, sometimes they can run faster than what the environment will allow them to express. If we as breeders of cattle better set our goals for where we are and where we want to be, we’ll be better off.”
—Donnell Brown, R.A. Brown Ranch, Throckmorton, Texas
“There’s a lot of great science, and it’s really interesting. But we need to make sure it’s something producers can adapt to and adopt.”
—Bruce Holmquist, Canadian Simmental Association, recipient of BIF Continuing Service Award
“Each of us needs to be aware of our own context. … Profit drivers aren’t always the same traits.”
—Sean McGrath, Round Rock Ranching, Vermilion, Alberta
“The way we present EPDs is very impactful in the way our customers utilize that data.”
—Paul Bennett, Knoll Crest Farm, Red House, Virginia
“Genomics are like credit cards: they’re nice to have and invest in the future, but soon you need to be able to pay it back. Phenotypes are like cash.”
—Andre Garcia, Angus Genetics Inc.
“We’re going to have to use all the technology and all the tools at our disposal to feed a growing world population.”
—Clint Rusk, American-International Charolais Association
“Cattle feeders are far more attuned to genetics than ever before.”
—Mark McCully, American Angus Association
