The
Trailblazer Summer 2015
Volume 8, Issue 1
In last summer’s newsletter we featured a story about our “Gain on Grass Test”. Well, this isn’t a repeat of the article. Instead, we wanted to update you on what we have learned to date about our cattle and the grass test.
GAIN ON GRASS
Why is it important? Round 2
As a recap, we initiated the gain on grass test because we wanted to identify the genetics in our program that could excel on grass, with minimal supplementation, and not just those that gained well on feed. We recognize that ninety-nine percent of our customers don’t creep feed and neither do we at Bradley 3 Ranch. This means our cattle must have the ability to forage, convert on grass, grow, breed and produce pounds while on a predominantly forage based diet. It also means that we are subject to nature to dictate weaning weights relative to annual rainfall. After clearing mesquites and brush (and rattle snakes) off a piece of our old irrigated land, we now have an official location for the grass test. Needless, to say initially there was a steep learning curve for the “non-farmer” Bradley operation to keep the pivot rolling. With time and patience, we have figured out how important this irrigation piece is for our grass test. The quality of forage is extremely important for growth and proper development of our young bull prospects. Using both native and improved grasses we have developed a forage base that has survived and is now thriving. Initially, we anticipated that all bulls would gain similarly on grass. What we have learned is quite the contrary. There is a large spread amongst genetics of what bulls will graze throughout the day’s heat, shed quickly and gain the most. Some cattle have shown us the ability to gain on the side of their dam, on grass and continue on our feed test. At the same time, others simply are mediocre in their gains until they hit the actual
Look for us and our booth at these trade shows / events:
Working Ranch Rodeo Association Finals November 6 - 9 at Amarillo, TX
New Mexico Stock Growers Association Convention December 4 - 6 at Albuquerque, NM
www.bradley3ranch.com
feed / concentrate test. We are learning there are definite differences in cattle that have generations of Bradley genetics and the “outside” genetics we have used.
So why is this important to you as a beef producer? We aren’t seeing $7 corn any more so why should cost of gain on feed be a concern in my operation you might wonder? Very simply, long-term survivors in the beef industry are those who are low cost producers who can survive the ups and downs of markets. Feed, labor and depreciation are three of the highest expenses we face in the industry. If we can lower cowherd feed costs, we can get closer to attaining a long-term profitability. Any time we can lower cost of gain or maintenance costs in our operation, we are one step closer to profitability. In our gain on grass test, we have learned a very simple concept: cattle that gain on grass tend to be survivors. Heifers sired by bulls who were higher gainers on grass tend to be easier fleshing and stay in the herd longer due to their lower maintenance costs and breed back ability. And surprisingly, our cattle that gain well on grass are not an industry stereotyped “pud” that has no growth ability. In reality, gain on grass is beneficial to your operation for several reasons: optimum weaning weights without the cost of creep feed, lower energy maintenance levels in replacement heifers and bulls that maintain flesh through out the breeding season. Each of these is equated to fewer dollars flowing out of a feedsack.