I have a big commercial operation in Alberta -- Angus and bwf cows with european and hybrid bulls. I raise my own replacements out of the Angus cows/hybrid sires and feed out the bwf/european calves for a natural beef program. We select our replacements based on soundness/productivity, balanced numbers and scan data. When I say balanced numbers, I mean by pedigree -- all the cows are papered and I use strictly AI to access hybrid genetics with high accuracy EPDs. This ensures I know the genetic makeup of the commercial herd when I sell the fed calves on a value-based system.

I honestly don't know how commodity producers will survive in our changing industry. Considering the increasing costs of production, the high dollar and the current workforce situation, if you aren't producing beef that demands a premium from consumers you won't make it.

This site intrigues me as a place to share ideas and provoke change.