How are these inedible, black spots getting into the beef supply? That’s everyone’s first question after learning about birdshot as the leading contributor to foreign objects in packing plants and further processing facilities.

It’s no secret: Feed has always accounted for, by far, the biggest production expense of beef cattle production.

The long-term trend in the feedlot industry is that cattle are on feed more and more days every year. Feedlot data shows that the 12-month moving average of days on feed has increased approximately 30% just in the last two decades.

Historically, the relative value of traits to the commercial cow-calf sector has been stated as the “10-to-2-to-1 rule of thumb,” where fertility traits are 10 times more important than carcass traits and five times more important than growth traits.

Genetics play a larger role in calf performance than whether calves are raised in a traditional beef system or within a dairy system.

In this podcast episode, Progressive Cattle Editor Carrie Veselka speaks with Kara Lee, director of producer engagement at Certified Angus Beef, to discuss direct-to-consumer marketing and the CBA Ranch to Table program. Editor Abby George meets up with Russ Daly, South Dakota State University Extension Veterinarian, at Range Beef Cow Symposium to talk about herd health planning and steps producers can take to protect their cow herd. 

“Genetic improvement” is a term with far-reaching implications, uniquely and individually defined by those in the beef industry.

Known as the “six essentials,” selection for these traits can improve profitability of any herd, of any breed, in any location: disposition, fertility, weight, conformation, hardiness and milk production.

Efficiency of production, quality of product and sustainability are the intuitive goals of the cattle industry. Producers and consumers alike are interested in the economy of scale and acceptance of beef.