20
Maximums are never the most
profitable level of production.
By Burke Teichert, Excerpts Reprinted with Permission from
the March, 2015, BEEF magazine.
“Strive for a trouble-free, problem-free cow herd with
good reproduction – accomplishing this on your range or
pasture with minimal added inputs. How would it be to never
have to pull a calf, never have to doctor an animal or never
have to retrieve an animal that broke through the fence?
How much less labor, equipment, facilities and tools would
you need?
The objective is
to improve herd and whole ranch
profitability. Recognizing the interconnectedness of herd and
pasture management, economics and marketing, it becomes
apparent that maximums are never the most profitable level
of production.
My method for getting profitable cow herds doesn’t
align with buying bulls with the highest EPDs for weaning
weight, milk, carcass quality and yield grade. However, this
will work nicely for ranches intentionally terminal crossing
with the practice of selling or feeding every calf.
In this article, I’m want to address producers who devel-
op their own replacements and should also be providing re-
placement cows to terminal-crossing programs.
I don’t mean to diminish the importance of good growth
and adequate milk production in our cow herds. However, a
number of things are more important. Here are three:
• Make sure a cow-calf operation is the best fit for your
land and your abilities.
• Work toward a cow herd that requires very little over-
head – equipment, facilities and labor.
Even with excellent reproduction, most of the culls will
be opens and dries.
Remember, EPDs work, and that is often
a problem.
If we want lots of growth and milk, we can get it. The
problem is that there is always a cost. It may be in reproduc-
tion, or reduced stocking rates or more fed feed. Finally,
don’t buy bulls whose daughters won’t fit what you’re trying
to do.
Burke Teichert, is a consultant on strategic planning for
ranches and resides in Orem, UT. Contact him at
.
FINK 5233 of 8563 FA
Calved: 8/25/15
Reg#: 18503986
[DDP]
Tattoo: 5233
Sitz Traveler 8180
Actual Scrotal: 36.5 cm
SAV Final Answer 0035
SAV Emulous 8145
Sinclair Net Present Value
Fink Donna 8563 6458 NPV
Fink Donna 6458 2325 ND
We have sold Final Answer sons across the U.S. They get along, it appears in
all environments. We try very hard to watch hair shedding, along with all of
the other traits in breeding cattle. Putting pieces together is what its all
about for customers.
72
CED
BW
WW
YW
SC
CEM
Milk
+10
-.1
+49
+87
+.54
+10
+24
CW
Marb
RE
Fat
$EN
$W
$B
+14
+.46
+.43
+.059
+1.74
+54.30
+74.71
FINK 5166 of 1384 FA
Calved: 8/29/15
Reg#: 18503348
Tattoo: 5166
Sitz Traveler 8180
Actual Scrotal: 39.5 cm
SAV Final Answer 0035
SAV Emulous 8145
SAV Net Worth 4200
Fink Donna 1384 5636 NW
Fink Donna 5636 1344 24J
Higher ratioing bull here in his weaning group. Don’t forget over 31,000
weaning weights have been turned in by registered breeders to create Final
Answer’s EPDs. This bull can add. If you haven’t tried Final Answer yet it
might be time.
73
CED
BW
WW
YW
SC
CEM
Milk
-8
+5.1
+60
+101
+1.02
+2
+24
CW
Marb
RE
Fat
$EN
$W
$B
+26
+.68
+.35
+.057
-4.22
+50.25
+94.17
Heifer Bull
FINK 5164 of 1350 FA
Calved: 8/23/15
Reg#: 18503353
Tattoo: 5164
Sitz Traveler 8180
Actual Scrotal: 41 cm
SAV Final Answer 0035
SAV Emulous 8145
N Bar Prime Time D806
Fink Donna 1350 9402 NBPT
Fink Donna 9402 9140 OT
No question—beautiful udders expected here. Minus mature cow weight—
positive $EN. As growth is chased it will increase cost and different prob-
lems. If you question that, ask the hog and chicken industry—they just got
there quicker. Growth is achieved by maternal-terminal breeding system.
74
CED
BW
WW
YW
SC
CEM
Milk
+11
-1.0
+43
+78
+1.64
+12
+20
CW
Marb
RE
Fat
$EN
$W
$B
+15
+1.03
+.34
+.156
+12.14
+47.40
+65.62
FINK 5242 of 0874 FA
Calved: 8/28/15
Reg#: 18503992
[DDP]
Tattoo: 5242
Sitz Traveler 8180
Actual Scrotal: 36 cm
SAV Final Answer 0035
SAV Emulous 8145
Sinclair Net Present Value
Fink Donna 0874 8557 NPV
Fink Donna 8557 5457 24J
Final Answer has as much proof as any Angus bull anywhere, ever. He’s not
perfect—nor is any bull—but he’s pretty good.
75
CED
BW
WW
YW
SC
CEM
Milk
+10
+.8
+53
+90
+.82
+10
+26
CW
Marb
RE
Fat
$EN
$W
$B
+24
+.65
+.48
+.121
-2.77
+59.20
+88.47
FINK 5296 2224 FA
Calved: 8/28/15
Reg#: 18519645
Tattoo: 5296
Sitz Traveler 8180
Actual Scrotal: 36 cm
SAV Final Answer 0035
SAV Emulous 8145
KCF Bennett Index
Fink Donna 2224 8285 BI
Fink Donna 8285 3465 K205
Final Answer sons fill a lot of areas. They are highly proven and are the kind
that make super cows. Proven genetics (seriously proven) will provide less
surprises and fewer mistakes. Read the following by Burke Teichert!
76
CED
BW
WW
YW
SC
CEM
Milk
+4
+1.1
+47
+84
+.93
+9
+27
CW
Marb
RE
Fat
$EN
$W
$B
+23
+.49
+.69
+.064
-2.20
+52.26
+90.04
Heifer Bull
Heifer Bull
