News Releases

It’s no secret that today's beef cattle market is demanding feeder cattle that are of known genetics, preferably of superior feedlot and carcass performance traits. Other characteristics are also desirable, including complete health records on every animal.

Like a dark cloud on the horizon, some producers are watching the storm of “improved breeding and record keeping” form and descend rather than seeking shelter – or in the case of their beef operations, protecting their profitability. Thus says Dr. Emmit Rawls, a beef cattle marketing specialist at the University of Tennessee and the state coordinator of the Tennessee Beef Cattle Improvement Initiative.

“Some producers need to see hard data before they will change their management practices,” Rawls contends. To demonstrate the value of improved management, the Tennessee Beef Cattle Improvement Initiative is cooperating with private producers operating 17 herds from 16 Tennessee counties. “From Hawkins County in the east to Lauderdale and Dyer counties in West Tennessee, we’re working with early adopters to show that improved genetics and health management practices improve the market value of feeder cattle,” he said.

This cattle demonstration is among the largest of its kind ever in Tennessee.

Cattle and calves are produced in each of the state’s 95 counties and remain the state’s largest agricultural commodity. More than 2.1 million head are spread across Tennessee. Last year cattle and calves generated $343 million in cash receipts to some 51,000 producers across the state.

The comprehensive two-year demonstration is expected to show how genetic improvements can be made quickly through the use of superior bulls. Rawls said progress will be measured through evaluation of weaning weight and comparisons of the grade and market values of the calves sired from the beef producer's existing genetics and calves sired with improved genetics.

Herds participating in the demonstration are spring calving. Each includes up to 50 females, of which 16 could be heifers. Participating producers supplied detailed descriptions of their females and listed the goals for their operations regarding breeding. The females were then synchronized using a timed breeding process in which each animal was bred artificially on day 9 of the process. Semen of high quality select bulls was purchased from Southeast Select Sires, but the company provided the technician service on site to help carry out the demonstration. Last inseminations occurred May 8 on farms in Robertson and Humphreys counties in Middle Tennessee.

A “clean-up” bull of comparable genetics will be turned out with the cows on day 14 following the AI breeding, said Rawls. In 12 of the 17 herds, these bulls are being leased from the Tennessee Livestock Producers’ Producer Genetics program. Kevin Thompson, program director, is coordinating the selection of appropriate bulls and the bull leasing program. Owners of the remaining five herds are using bulls that they recently acquired and which have comparable genetics when matched against the AI sires.

Once breeding is complete, then the demonstration will really begin. Calving will be monitored, and at approximately day 205, the calves will be weighed, graded and priced. This will be done on each herd for two consecutive years. Rawls said that the results are anticipated to be favorable.

“There may be a few surprises,” Rawls said. “But the price gain for producers from improved genetics and known health management practices should convince serious beef cattle producers that these practices are the key to a healthy business.” Rawls is also a professor of agricultural economics.

The Tennessee Beef Cattle Improvement Initiative represents more than a dozen organizations who are partnering to achieve better profits for Tennessee cattle producers. Partners include the Tennessee Cattlemen’s Association, the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, Tennessee Livestock Producers, Tennessee Farmers Cooperative, Tennessee Livestock Markets Association, Farm Credit Services, and several cattle breed associations. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, UT– Martin, Tennessee Technological University, and Middle Tennessee State University are also Initiative cooperators.

The Beef Advantage Program sponsored by Tennessee Farmers Cooperative and Tennessee Livestock Producers and cooperating weekly auctions are another activity directed towards carrying out the Initiative’s goal to market feeder cattle that are more valuable because of a health, management and marketing program.

In related efforts by the Initiative, Rawls said the UT Agricultural Extension Service is expected to launch agent training for a new Master Beef Producer Program in August. Training for producers will take place in the following months, he said. This program is being led by UT Extension’s Dr. Jim Neel.

# # #

Contact: Patricia McDaniels, 865-974-7141 | Dr. Emmit Rawls, 865-974-7271