During the past several years, the U.S. beef cow herd has declined to historically low levels. At the same time, strong cattle prices and continued demand for quality beef have created a very favorable market for cow-calf producers. Many industry analysts believe these conditions could continue for the foreseeable future.

As producers begin thinking about rebuilding their herds, an important question emerges: What should the future cow herd look like?

The Angus advantage in a changing industry

For decades, Angus genetics have helped drive meaningful improvements in traits that matter to commercial producers and the rest of the beef industry supply chain. Calving ease, growth, feedlot performance and carcass quality have all improved because seedstock and commercial cattlemen have consistently selected for genetic progress.

The marketplace continues to reward those improvements. Feeders, packers and consumers are placing value on cattle that grow efficiently and produce high-quality beef. As a result, demand for superior growth and carcass genetics remains strong.

But today’s commercial producer needs more than just performance. Replacement females must be productive, efficient and adaptable across a wide range of environments. They need to raise a heavy calf, maintain body condition, breed back consistently and stay in the herd for years.

That is a lot to ask of a cow.

Fortunately, today’s cattle producers have access to more information and genetic tools than ever before, making it easier to identify females that fit their operation and environment.

Can Angus cattle continue to do more?

Some people wonder whether Angus cattle can continue to lead the industry in growth and carcass merit while also maintaining their reputation as outstanding maternal females.

The answer lies in the genetic diversity within the Angus breed.

Today’s Angus population offers producers a wide range of genetics. Whether your goal is to increase growth, moderate mature size, improve maternal traits or balance all of the above, the tools are available to help identify the cattle that fit your operation.

The key is making informed selection decisions.

Matching genetics to your environment

Selecting the right bull remains one of the most important decisions a producer can make. However, managing replacement female selection is also important.

Genomic tools have added a new level of confidence to those decisions. GeneMax^® Advantage™ can help producers identify females with the genetic potential to thrive in their specific production environment and marketing scenario.

For many operations, weaning weight remains a major driver of revenue. At the same time, producers must maintain a cow herd that fits available resources and remains productive over the long term.

Finding that balance is critical.

A cow that weans a heavy calf every year while maintaining body condition and rebreeding successfully can have a tremendous effect on profitability. Genetic tools help producers identify those females earlier and make replacement decisions with greater confidence.

Why mature cow size matters

One area receiving increased attention is mature cow size.

In many parts of the country, feed resources can be limited, especially during periods of drought or other challenges. Larger cows often require more feed for maintenance than smaller cows. Because of that, understanding mature size can be an important part of managing costs and stocking rates.

Mature cow weight is also one of the more heritable traits available in the Angus genetic toolbox. With a heritability estimate approaching 0.35, producers can make relatively rapid genetic change through selection.

For producers developing their own replacements, this creates a valuable opportunity.

If your environment favors moderate-sized cows, GeneMax can help identify females that fit that profile before they enter the breeding herd. If your operation can support larger cattle and capture value from additional growth, you can make selection decisions that move the herd in that direction, as well.

The goal isn’t necessarily bigger or smaller cows. The goal is finding the size that works best for your environment and management system.

Build a herd for the next cattle cycle

As the industry enters the next phase of the cattle cycle, producers have an opportunity to rebuild with greater precision than ever before.

Understanding your forage resources, management style, marketing plan and production goals can help guide replacement female decisions. Combining that knowledge with available genetic information allows producers to make more informed choices and avoid unintended consequences.

The most profitable herd is rarely the same for every operation. Success comes from matching genetics to your specific circumstance.

Getting started with GeneMax Advantage

Getting started with GeneMax Advantage is straightforward.

Many producers choose to test their replacement heifer candidates shortly after weaning. A common approach is to first sort through the heifer crop and remove females that clearly do not meet the operation’s standards. This often eliminates the bottom 20%-30% of candidates based on visual appraisal or other management criteria.

The remaining heifers can then be tested through GeneMax Advantage to gather additional information before making final replacement decisions.

This approach allows producers to focus their testing investment on animals most likely to enter the breeding herd, while gaining valuable insights into traits that affect long-term profitability.

Looking beyond

GeneMax Advantage can also create value when marketing replacement females, or when differentiating the value of feeder cattle by integrating those scores into your AngusLink^® Genetic Merit Scorecard^®.