Cow Beef Production System Research Articles

Evaluation of biological and economic efficiency of the All Heifer, No Cow beef production system using a system dynamics model based on 6 yr of demonstration herd data.

Alternative management strategies with no cows and all heifers may improve biological and economic efficiency of beef production. The All Heifer, No Cow (AHNC) beef production system involves insemination of nulliparous heifers with female sex-selected semen (FSS) to produce primarily female calves that are early weaned at 3 mo of age. Dams are finished on a high concentrate diet and harvested before 30 mo of age. The objectives of this research were to: 1) build a dynamic model of an AHNC beef production system to quantify system biological and economic efficiency; 2) compare effects of utilizing FSS vs. conventional semen on biological and economic efficiency; 3) evaluate what-if scenarios to determine the effects on biological and economic efficiency of changing variables ±5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% from initial observed values; and 4) evaluate the effects on biological and economic efficiency of changing variables ±10% from initial observed values. A model was built over a 21-yr horizon using Stella Architect. Biological parameter values in the model were based on the 6 yr of data collected from the management of an AHNC demonstration herd. In the model animal, total digestible nutrients (TDN) intake, hot carcass weight (HCW), and age at harvest were randomized. Feed, animal, and carcass prices included in the model were based on 10 yr of historical U.S. price data. Key response variables were biological and economic efficiency (mean ± SD). Biological efficiency was defined as the ratio of output (kilograms of HCW produced) to input (lifetime kilograms of feed TDN consumed), and economic efficiency was measured using a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) and unit variable cost (UVC). Over 40 simulation runs, the predicted mean biological efficiency was 0.0714 ± 0.0008. Economic efficiency was 0.95 ± 0.02 and US $445.41 ± 0.06 for BCR and UVC, respectively. Biological and economic efficiency was improved in the conventional semen scenario; biological efficiency was 0.0738 ± 0.0008, and BCR and UVC were 0.99 ± 0.04 and US $407.24 ± 0.006, respectively. Under this parameterization and market conditions, the AHNC beef production system failed to achieve profitability under any scenario that was evaluated. However, this review did not account for the potential increased genetic benefit from a decreased generation interval and the reduction in feed energy in comparison to a conventional cow/calf system.

Evaluation of performance and carcass traits for a five-cohort All Heifer, No Cow beef production system demonstration herd.

The All Heifer, No Cow (AHNC) beef production system is an alternative to conventional cow/calf production that involves insemination of nulliparous heifers with sexed semen to produce female calves that are early weaned at 3 mo of age. Dams are finished on a high-concentrate diet and harvested before reaching 30 mo of age. Objectives of this research were to document reproductive, feedyard, calf, and carcass performance of an AHNC herd; evaluate effects of carcass maturity on carcass quality; and determine if performance of initial cohorts (i.e., cohorts 1 and 2) differed from sustaining cohorts (i.e., cohorts 3–5). A total of 272 heifers were enrolled in the AHNC system via five annual cohorts. The system was initiated with 51 yearling, Angus-based heifers, and a replicate set (n = 56) was started 12 mo after. Heifers in cohorts 3 (n = 53), 4 (n = 56), and 5 (n = 56) were primarily offspring of prior cohorts (i.e., cohort 3 heifers born to cohort 1 females), but some were purchased to maintain inventory. Angus replacement heifers were purchased in cohorts 3 (n = 26), 4 (n = 26), and 5 (n = 28). Mean (±standard deviation) pregnancy rate at 30 d after fixed-time artificial insemination (AI) with sexed semen was 50.8% ± 9.4%, and 140-d pregnancy rate was 93.0% ± 1.5%. With AHNC, 61.0% ± 6.5% of females replaced themselves with a heifer. During finishing, average daily gain (ADG) was 1.9 ± 0.4 kg • d−1 and dry matter intake (DMI) was 14.9 ± 1.9 kg • d−1. Hot carcass weight (HCW) was 367 ± 35 kg. The USDA grading system classified 20.5% of all carcasses (n = 220) as C maturity (A00 = 100, B00 = 200, etc.), 62.4% ± 29.1% of carcasses as USDA Choice. USDA yield grade (YG) was 2.6 ± 0.7. Based on cohorts 1 and 2, there were no differences (P = 0.96) in Warner–Bratzler shear force values between A and B maturity vs. C maturity carcasses. Across all cohorts, there were no differences in USDA YG, marbling score (MA), and lean maturity between A and B maturity vs. C maturity carcasses; there were differences in age (P < 0.001), bone maturity (P < 0.001), and overall maturity (P <0.001). A comparison of initial vs. sustaining cohorts showed that initial cohorts had lower (P < 0.001) DMI, heavier (P < 0.001) HCW, and more advanced (P < 0.05) bone maturity. However, there were no differences for 30- and 140-d pregnancy rates, ADG, USDA YG, and MA between initial and sustaining cohorts. The AHNC beef production system can effectively produce female calves and quality carcasses for harvest.