Bryson Byergo stood in front of a room full of ranchers and asked a simple question: “Do I raise cattle, or do I raise beef?”
It was his challenge for cattle producers to rethink how they make every farm decision.
Byergo said there needs to be a shift from simply “raising cattle” to a “raising beef” philosophy. And that switch looks at the beef cattle industry up and down the entire supply chain, focusing on producing high-quality beef that meets industry and consumer expectations.
He along with cattleman Traves Merrick and cattle buyer Wes Spinks shared insights and strategies for improving cattle production, profitability and sustainability through genetics, feed efficiency, herd health and market demands.
Select for cattle that work on the farm
Byergo Angus started in 1950 with a single cow and two heifer calves. Today, the farm boasts more than 1,000 cows, with nearly 75% tracing back to that original cow.
“Really, weight is not the determining factor of whether or not this cow is efficient,” Byergo explained. “There are efficient cows that are little. There are efficient cows that are medium. There are efficient cows that are big.”
It takes studying cows to know the difference. For Byergo, that included feed efficiency testing that started more than 20 years ago. Then five years ago, he added lactating cows to the mix, assessing their intake, eating habits and even calf gain.
While many beef producers live in the law of averages where cows eat 2.5% of their body weight, he said that is “just not the truth.”
“There’s genetics out there that convert a lot better than that, cattle that eat a lot less than 2.5% of their body weight, and there’s cattle that eat a lot more,” Byergo added. “So how can we improve that? I think you can look at the genetic aspects of that.”
He shared examples of cows weighing 1,600 pounds that eat less than smaller cows while producing heavier calves, and that comes down to genetics.
“We’re looking at ultimate profit of the cow, what she’s doing, what she's giving us back,” Byergo said.
Focus on feed efficiency
As manager of Gleonda Angus Farms, Merrick took over the operation a decade ago, continuing his grandfather’s philosophy established in 1960: raise functional, no-nonsense cattle.
He said it is important to produce females with longevity, noting that 85% of the bulls in his spring sale are out of cows age 6 or older.
“They have to prove themselves to be there,” Merrick said. “I’m not going to keep them just because they’ve got good [EPD] numbers, they look pretty or have a bigger calf. Our approach to it is trying to create females that will last well into their teens.”
Another of Merrick’s key strategies is focusing on balanced genetic selection rather than chasing extremes. He shared an example of a high-producing bull who is 16 years old, but with lower EPDs, and is still being used in artificial insemination projects.
“He is producing daughters and granddaughters that are the best-producing cattle on the farm. They raise the best bulls year after year,” he added. “That bull checks the boxes my customers want. I want balance — they have to match the phenotype, and have the data behind them, as well as their mothers.”
Spinks knows what buyers want
As a cattle buyer, Spinks said buyers are increasingly drawn to purchasing calves with strong health protocols to reduce mortality and morbidity rates.
“The biggest complaint that I get from anybody that I buy for is cattle health,” he said.
What buyers look for in calves is that they are weaned, vaccinated and uniform in size. He said beef producers should try as much as possible to synchronize breeding.
“Bigger bunches will always bring more money,” Spinks said. “Have your calves sell with the least amount of drafts.”
As a buyer, Spinks evaluates cattle based on their ability to perform in the feedlot and meet industry standards. He shared that the industry favors large cows that can produce calves that can reach 1,600 pounds at slaughter.
The cattle industry is evolving, and producers must adapt to stay competitive. Whether it’s improving herd health, investing in genetics or improving sales strategies, the key is to focus on continuous improvement.
As Merrick stated: “How do I create great beef and keep this thing rolling?”
Key takeaways from the panel
The panelists offered actionable advice for cattle producers looking to improve their operations. Here are the key takeaways:
1. Invest in genetics. Both Byergo and Merrick emphasized the importance of genetic selection in producing feed-efficient and high-performing cattle. Ranchers should prioritize balanced traits and avoid chasing extremes.
2. Focus on herd health. Spinks highlighted the need for strict vaccination protocols and avoiding health issues in the herd. Healthy cattle are more likely to perform well in the feedlot and bring higher prices.
3. Optimize sales strategies. Selling calves in larger, uniform drafts can significantly increase profitability. Ranchers should align calving dates to produce consistent groups of calves.
4. Balance data and phenotype. Merrick and Byergo stressed the importance of using both EPDs and real-world data to make informed decisions. Phenotypic observations and performance data provide valuable insights into cattle quality.
5. Think beyond the farm. Byergo encouraged ranchers to consider the entire supply chain, from farm to consumer. Produce high-quality beef that aligns with market demands and consumer expectations.