As the cost of fuel, fertilizer and feed rises, cattlemen are looking for a way to keep their cost down and, at the same time, produce a better product. Looking back fifty years after World War II when fuel, fertilizer and feed were cheap, ranchers began feeding cattle. This is when feedlots came into being. Before that time, cattle were developed mainly on forages. Therefore, the method by which cattle is produced has changed. Because the cost of fuel and fertilizer has increased, cattle producers realize they need to find a more economical way to produce beef. If cattle can gain on grasses without having to spend so much on fertilizer and feed, the cattleman’s profit increases. Another important factor is animals developed on forages with less grain are healthier. These cattle also produce a healthier meat product for the consumer. The challenge is finding cattle that do well on forages. In order to do that, a rancher needs to have a good bull developed on forages. One that can keep up with the pasture acclimated herd. If he is a fleshing and low maintenance bull, his genetic influence will further the herd’s foraging ability.

Developing cattle on forages and selecting cattle that do well in this hot, Texas environment is imperative to achieving this goal. The cattleman has to select cattle that do well in there own area. Just because they do well in Nebraska or another state further north does not mean they will do well in a hot, humid environment. Animals farther north are acclimated not only to their climate, but also to the forages in that area. Soil testing is important so the rancher knows what will thrive on the soil and what fertilizers to use on his or her own forage.

Another concern in choosing cattle is cattle that are in front of a feed trough much of their life. These animals are not developed to make it on forages. For harsher environments selecting for cattle that do the best on forages and culling cattle that do not is imperative to keeping the cattleman’s profit higher.

We believe it is especially important to develop their bulls on forages, since they will be put right back out in the pasture after they are sold. Naturally, these bulls will not gain as much weight as they would if they were on full feed, but they will be in better condition and have increased reproductive efficiency along with increased libido. Commercial cattlemen need bulls that are ready to go and accustomed to covering ground. A good bull does not need to be over conditioned. He just needs to carry the genetics that will give his calves the ability to gain weight and finish.

Forage testing of bulls identifies those animals that meet the highest standard of good weight gain under both conditions – feed & forage. During the Beef on Forage Test evaluation of marbling and tenderness, fertility, genetic and physical, plus scrotal circumference is done to identify the best bulls. Producing cattle with genetics that thrive on forages and produce an optimum product is our goal.