It is challenging, if not impossible, to have a profit-motivated cattle operation without using “modern” genetic selection tools. Admittedly, condensing data into information from which informed decisions can be made deserves more attention to enable cattle producers to better utilize proven technology.

Single-step genetic evaluations have become a reality for several beef breed associations, with the expectation that more will adopt single-step predictions in the near future.

Sire selection does not need to be overwhelming or complex. Centuries of work by geneticists and statisticians have allowed for the development of tools that help producers make decisions relative to the next bull you purchase; do not ignore them.

Selecting to improve multiple traits simultaneously can be cumbersome. Just open any sale catalog, and it’s easy to become immediately confused. Economic indexes can help alleviate this confusion. They do so by combining multiple EPDs, each weighted by an economic value, into one numeric value often expressed in dollars per animal.