Reputation Feeder Cattle program identifies genetic merit in calves
Ma
ny producers invest a great deal of time and money in their calf crop through the use of bulls with superior genetics. It only stands to reason, then, that they be rewarded for that investment in the market place. Now they can be, through a program that combines a herd’s 10-year genetic history, documentation of ranch level calf management practices and age and source verification.
Capitalizing on our expertise in verification, Verified Beef has created a new program designed to add value to both sides of the fence. Reputation Feeder Cattle™ (RFC) is a third-party audited program that identifies quality feeder calves based on genetic merit, calf management, and age and source.
Genetic Merit Scorecard (TM)
The most unique aspect of RFC is the Genetic Merit Scorecard (TM) (GMS), which provides a number that predicts the relative value of one set of calves compared to another a set of calves based on expected progeny differences (EPDs) of sires used in the herd for the previous ten years. The GMS is comprised of two elements. The first is a genetic rating for six separate traits of economic importance, illustrated with stars below each trait name. The maximum number of stars is five. Cattle with five full stars comprise the top 5% of the entire US population. Three stars is average.
The second element is the overall numerical score expressed in units of dollars per hundred-weight ($/cwt). It is the relative market value of the offering. The method produces a point estimate (e.g. +$19.22/cwt), which is calculated for the actual base weight of the feeder calves being offered for sale. Similar to an EPD, the number, itself, is irrelevant. Relevance lies in the difference between one group of calves and another.
As a base of reference, a score of +$10/cwt has been established to represent a group of calves sired by average bulls from different breeds in proportion to the registration volume of each breed of sire in the U.S. Similarly, across-breed EPD adjustments are used and are based on published results from USDA’s Meat Animal Research Center (MARC).
Calf Management
Consumers demand information about the products they purchase and this holds true for buyers of feeder cattle. VB recognizes that some cattle buyers are willing to pay more for feeder cattle with documented management, nutrition and vaccination records. As an auditor, VB audits calf management records that include vaccination, weaning, any post-weaning feeding and deworming protocols. Further, VB can also audit and document records on the cow herd that include pre- and post-partum mineral programs, deworming, and vaccinations as part of the RFC program.
RFC is value-based marketing. By sending clear value signals, cow/calf producers will be paid for quality, feedlots can source based on value, seedstock producers will be paid more for superior bulls, genetic improvement will accelerate, and the beef industry will produce a better product and be more competitive.
