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CamU represents an extension of CAM Ranches that seeks to answer producer-minded questions with regards to genetics, nutrition, animal health, and general management of a purebred or commercial cowherd. It is our best intention to provide timely, industry-relevant information and answers to questions many producers have thought, but just never asked. Be sure to check back often for updates!
Industry at a Glance: Carcasses Grading Prime & Choice Hit a Record High
By Nevil Speer
March 12, 2015
The past several weeks have marked a significant accomplishment for the beef industry. That is, the percentage of the fed steer/heifer slaughter achieving the Choice grade has surpassed 70 percent. Meanwhile, the percentage of cattle grading Prime is consistently running near 5 percent. In combination, the grading mix of the fed steer and heifer population has eclipsed 75 percent for the first time in recent history.
Genomics Coming of Age for Commercial Beef Herds
By Steve Suther
October 15, 2013
Beef Vet Magazine and BeefMagazine.com
The growth in DNA usage for commercial cattle herds has come from the ability to predict performance traits.
So it is with almost any new technology: There is a period of development, working out the kinks. Then come tweaks in application and the early-adopters begin to test it out. In the years that follow, as more and more people tend to pick it up, advances are made and it becomes a mainstream tool.
Where is DNA technology in that continuum and in relation to the cattle business?
Why All The Talk About Expansion?
By Troy Marshall
March 8, 2012
A cattleman who I rely on for sage advice said something to me this week that really got me to thinking. He asked why everyone is encouraging expansion so loudly. His point was that his operation looked like it might be more profitable than any time in the past; so why does everyone seem so concerned about encouraging expansion? I’ve always been a big believer in letting the marketplace work, and producers will expand or contract depending on the economic signals we are given. But I think the talk about the need for expansion is twofold.
How Much Is A Good Bull Worth?
By Troy Marshall
March 1, 2012
When you put economic parameters to EPDs with today’s prices and feed costs, there should be more price spread on bulls than there actually is.