Radale TinerAssociation Perspective
The power of data.
The power of data. We have all heard this saying over the years, but what exactly does it mean? In my nearly four-year span of being a regional manager for the American Angus Association, I have discovered that many breeders do not fully understand how to take advantage of the data that is available through the AAA Login page, which is available to registered and commercial breeders. I hope to enlighten you on some ways that you can utilize data that is at your fingertips.
One very simple tool that I use in my personal herd is the calving interval data. When you log in, go to your cow inventory and click on a cow’s progeny so you can see all of her progeny. Also on this page, there is a section at the top that automatically figures up that cow’s calving interval in days.
We can all agree that cows that calve closer to 365 days (excluding donor cows that have been held open on purpose) will make us more money within our operation than a cow that has a longer calving interval. Also on this same page are the average ratios for birth weights, weaning weights, yearling weights, ultrasound data and other information that you have collected within your herd. You can use this information to see which cows are performing best for the traits that you desire to enhance within your own herd. This data is a great tool to make keep/cull decisions within your own operation.
This is real-world information tabulated by the American Angus Association you have gathered within your herd. There is power in data. The more data that you collect within your own herd, the better decisions you will be able to make as you move forward! I encourage each member to visit with their Angus regional manager for more information on how to utilize this data.
Editor’s Note: Regional Manager Radale Tiner covers Region 9, including the states of New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana. Click here to find the regional manager for your state.
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