Will Mayfield
Association Perspective
Our future is the unknown!
The unknown is something that many fear; however, through the art of educated speculation and improved technology, people set aside those fears and stride into the future. It is with agriculture, as in many other facets of life, that improvement is continually needed. This necessity for improvement stems from the educated speculation of the U.S. Census Bureau that the world’s population will expand to more than 9 billion by the year 2050. That is nearly 2 billion more people to feed on this Earth than today!
These ideas lay the basis for continued improvement in efficiency in all aspects of day-to-day life, but let’s narrow the field. Agriculture itself has become a very efficient process as yields continue to improve, technology surges forward, and the farmers and ranchers of present day take hold of these newfound tools.
Specifically, in the cattle industry, the world population growth places an immense strain on production. In 2010, the world beef consumption per capita was just more than 20 pounds (lb.) per person. Calculated out to 2050 numbers, that would increase production needed by 40 billion pounds. Figuring conservatively, that places a demand for 46 million additional head to be processed in a given year.
With the demand and certain necessity for efficiency and growth, the cattle industry must take hold of the tools available. Feed-efficiency studies, new feeding techniques and new methods of feeding are all very useful resources for all incorporated into that sector of the industry, but wouldn’t you like to know how an animal is going to perform before they are placed on feed? Or how your females should be bred to give you the best available probability for calves that have the predisposed ability to gain and grade?
This is where genomics become very important! The utilization of genomic testing in high-percentage Angus animals in any commercial operation can greatly help to reduce risk as genetics do account for a percentage of the gain and grade potential in a set of feeder cattle. The GeneMax™ (GMX) test is one that assists us in these vital areas. GMX testing can help ranchers by assisting them with selection of replacement females that could offer economic impact in their herds and assist with breeding decisions based upon the genetic potential of females within the herd.
Feedlot operators could also benefit greatly from genomic testing by utilizing the knowledge available to hedge risk on a set of cattle that are known to gain at an optimal level, while also hitting a grid at a premium marketable end point.
While the idealism of agriculture widely differs from person to person in the United States, that difference is multiplied by the highly variable cultures from around the world. The facts speak for themselves, and knowing farmers and ranchers will have the responsibility of feeding a rapidly increasing population offers the immediate necessity for the movement to a quality product that is produced by the most efficient means possible. Therefore, knowing the potential of the cattle through genomic testing does allow farmers and ranchers to piece together part of the puzzle. Selection based on genomic testing sets the foundation of a herd needed to meet the lofty production goals in the years to come.
Editor's Note: Regional Manager Will Mayfield covers Region 7, including the states of Delaware, Maryland, New England States, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia & West Virginia. Click here to find the regional manager for your state.
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