The feedlot melting pot

“Where you from?” is a question we often ask strangers. What we really want to know is, “who are you?” and “what makes you tick?”

Think of immigration, both in the yesteryears (my grandmother came over on a boat from Germany in 1913) and in today’s world (many illegals from south of the border). Different kinds: most of those early ones came over legally because of religious persecution or economic collapse; in the case of Ireland it was the potato famine. Both groups of people that come to the U.S. were/are intriguing because we want to know how “our” world will change with these new strangers in it!

Another example: making new acquaintances while on a plane (yes, I’m the pesky person who strikes up conversations with the person sitting next to me) is interesting. Sometimes other people start the conversation; sometimes I kick it off. But, what I really want to know is: who are you? What are your beliefs? What do you stand for? How do you see the world? What is your purpose in life?

In the case of cattle coming into a new community (e.g. a feedlot), some come from Mexico, some from Canada, some from the southeastern U.S., and some from the southwest; some from the far west off of farms and ranches just as unique and varied as the general U.S population. They arrive at a feedlot in Kansas. How will they feed and perform? Will they get sick? Will any of them die, and if so, how many? Will they be worth anything on a value-based grid, or will they be commodity cattle sold on a cash basis?

Without history on the cattle, feedlots or cattle buyers don’t know what to expect. Look at this pen of cattle at a feedlot in western Kansas. What does the feedlot know about them? Well, they know the state of origin. They know they are predominantly black hided. Besides that, not too darn much. We have some preconceived and obvious notions by looking at these cattle: body condition on arrival, length of haul, phenotype, hair coat color, etc. What about health status? Unknown. Grading capability? Unknown. Ability to perform in the feedlot? Unknown.

As we move more and more toward DNA technology in the cattle industry, one thing we can know (at least with high-percentage Angus cattle): marbling and yearling gain outcomes. With GeneMax (GMX) our new DNA test, the new owners will have a pretty good idea of how these cattle will perform in those realms. For a cost of $17 per head, our ability to estimate outcome will be greatly enhanced.

To find out more about GMX, visit our website at www.cabpartners.com/GeneMax.

Where are you from?

For now, Adios!

-Gary

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