Data Makes The Difference

Data Makes The Difference

What is a cattle buyer considering when looking to purchasing cattle? Well Washington Angus breeder and cattle buyer Craig Verjaska says any more information and data on the cattle are critical.

Verjaska: "From the people that I buy cattle for, they are starting to use that beef value. They want to know those bulls out there that the commercial producers are using have that really good beef value involved because it equates to dollars when they become harvestable animals. It's an important deal."

People want to know about past gain and genetics. Verjaska also feeds cattle and says basing decisions on historical record improves profit potential. Inputs are used more efficiently when producers can be sure of the outcome with genetic information.

Verjaska: "I can put X number of pounds of hay or corn silage or something into an animal that I don't know that data on or I can put it into one that I'm relatively confident is going to gain and improve in quality and improve in kind because the genetics tell me that he is going to do that. You already have that part of the equation iron out. It's no longer a guessing game — you know that is what is going to happen."

Sale barn studies across the U.S. confirm his comments as the more buyers know about the cattle, the more they're willing to pay.

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